Histomorphological Spectrum of Pediatric Supratentorial CNS Tumors: A 3-year Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Center

OBJECTIVE: Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common neoplasms in children and they differ from their adult counterparts in terms of incidence, topography, clinical features, histology, and outcome. This article analyzes the incidence of supratentorial tumors, various histopathological entities, and their characteristics in pediatric patients <18 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Neuropathology, Institute of Neurosurgery, MMC/RGGGH Chennai from January 2017 to December 2019. Data of supratentorial tumors in children less than 18 years of age procured and their histomorphological profile were analyzed. RESULTS: In our institution, of a total of 1134 CNS and spinal neoplasms, 117 pediatric intracranial and 7 spinal neoplasms were reported and the incidence of supratentorial pediatric tumors was 44.44% (52 cases). Among which intraaxial tumors account for 38.46% with 20 cases, extraaxial tumors 51.92% with 27 cases, and intraventricular tumors 9.61% with five reported cases. Most common tumors reported were astrocytomas, craniopharyngioma, followed by ependymoma among others CONCLUSION: Though posterior fossa neoplasms are more common in children, supratentorial tumors show a rising trend worldwide in the pediatric population. Our study gives an overview of the incidence and histopathological profile of supratentorial CNS tumors.