Development of Predicting Nomograms for Diffuse Astrocytoma and Anaplastic Astrocytoma: A Study Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database.

BACKGROUND: Astrocytoma is a type of adult-type diffuse gliomas that includes diffuse astrocytoma (DA) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). However, comprehensive investigations into the risk assessment and prognosis of DA and AA using population-based studies remain noticeably scarce. METHODS: In this study, we developed 2 predictive nomograms to evaluate the susceptibility and prognosis associated with DA and AA. The study cohort comprised 3837 individuals diagnosed with DA or AA between 2010 and 2019 selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Independent predictors were identified and used to construct the nomograms for overall death and cancer-specific death rates. The performance of the models was assessed using C-index, calibration curves, and receiver operating characteristic curve, and the clinical applicability was evaluated using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: The receiver operating characteristic curves in this study show excellent clinical applicability and predictive power. Notably, the area under the curves of the training and verification queues was higher than 0.80, thereby cementing the models' precision. Additionally, the calibration plots demonstrate that the anticipated mortality rates strikingly match the measured values. This alignment of figures is sustained in the validation cohort. Furthermore, the decision curve analysis corroborates the models' translational potential, reinforcing their relevance within real-world clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS: The presented nomograms have not only exhibited good predictive performance but also showcased pragmatic clinical utility in prognosticating patient outcomes. Significantly, this will undoubtedly serve as a valuable asset for oncologists, facilitating informed treatment decisions and meticulous follow-up planning.

Epidemiology and Anatomical Distribution of Primary Brain Tumors Among Children in Palestine: A 6-Year National Referral Institution Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence rate of primary brain tumors (PBTs) among Palestinian children over a 6-year interval. This study also aimed to identify the predominant histopathologic types identified in these children. METHODS: This retrospective epidemiologic study focused on PBTs in children (<15 years) in Palestine. The data were collected from the registry system at Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, a prominent referral institution in Palestine and the largest center for PBTs in the region, over a 6 years period from 2018 to 2023. RESULTS: The incidence rate of PBTs in children (<15 years) was 1.33 per 100,000 person-years, with a 5% mortality rate. Pilocytic astrocytoma was the most common type (24%), followed by medulloblastoma (15.2%) and glioblastoma (6.3%). About one half of the tumors in children were malignant. Headaches were the most common first sign or symptom. About 20% of brain tumors in children were situated within the ventricles, making it the most prevalent location of these tumors, followed by the cerebellum (15.19%) and frontal lobe (11.39%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first national study in Palestine investigating PBTs in children. The crude incidence rate of primary brain tumors among Palestinian children was lower than the incidence rate in many countries around the world. It is recommended that more research be done on the epidemiology and distribution of PBTs in children in Palestine.

Estimated Prevalence, Tumor Spectrum, and Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Like Phenotype of CDKN2A-Related Melanoma-Astrocytoma Syndrome.

Importance: Knowledge about the prevalence and tumor types of CDKN2A-related melanoma-astrocytoma syndrome (MAS) is limited and could improve disease recognition. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and describe the tumor types of MAS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed all available MAS cases from medical centers in the US (2 sites) and Europe (2 sites) and from biomedical population genomic databases (UK Biobank [United Kingdom], Geisinger MyCode [US]) between January 1, 1976, and December 31, 2020. Patients with MAS with CDKN2A germline pathogenic variants and 1 or more neural tumors were included. Data were analyzed from June 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Disease prevalence and tumor frequency. Results: Prevalence of MAS ranged from 1 in 170 503 (n = 1 case; 95% CI, 1:30 098-1:965 887) in Geisinger MyCode (n = 170 503; mean [SD] age, 58.9 [19.1] years; 60.6% women; 96.2% White) to 1 in 39 149 (n = 12 cases; 95% CI, 1:22 396-1:68 434) in UK Biobank (n = 469 789; mean [SD] age, 70.0 [8.0] years; 54.2% women; 94.8% White). Among UK Biobank patients with MAS (n = 12) identified using an unbiased genomic ascertainment approach, brain neoplasms (4 of 12, 33%; 1 glioblastoma, 1 gliosarcoma, 1 astrocytoma, 1 unspecified type) and schwannomas (3 of 12, 25%) were the most common malignant and benign neural tumors, while cutaneous melanoma (2 of 12, 17%) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (2 of 12, 17%) were the most common nonneural malignant neoplasms. In a separate case series of 14 patients with MAS from the US and Europe, brain neoplasms (4 of 14, 29%; 2 glioblastomas, 2 unspecified type) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (2 of 14, 14%) were the most common neural cancers, while cutaneous melanoma (4 of 14, 29%) and sarcomas (2 of 14, 14%; 1 liposarcoma, 1 unspecified type) were the most common nonneural cancers. Cutaneous neurofibromas (7 of 14, 50%) and schwannomas (2 of 14, 14%) were also common. In 1 US family, a father and son with MAS had clinical diagnoses of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Genetic testing of the son detected a pathogenic CDKN2A splicing variant (c.151-1G>C) and was negative for NF1 genetic alterations. In UK Biobank, 2 in 150 (1.3%) individuals with clinical NF1 diagnoses had likely pathogenic variants in CDKN2A, including 1 individual with no detected variants in the NF1 gene. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study estimates the prevalence and describes the tumors of MAS. Additional studies are needed in genetically diverse populations to further define population prevalence and disease phenotypes.

Breastfeeding and risk of childhood brain tumors: a report from the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium.

PURPOSE: Studies report mixed findings regarding the association of breastfeeding with childhood brain tumors (CBT), the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in young people. Our objective was to determine whether breastfeeding is associated with CBT incidence. METHODS: We pooled data on N = 2610 cases with CBT (including 697 cases with astrocytoma, 447 cases with medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor [PNET], 167 cases with ependymoma) and N = 8128 age- and sex-matched controls in the Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium. We computed unconditional logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of CBT, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma/PNET, and ependymoma according to breastfeeding status, adjusting for study, sex, mode of delivery, birthweight, age at diagnosis/interview, maternal age at delivery, maternal educational attainment, and maternal race/ethnicity. We evaluated any breastfeeding versus none and breastfeeding ≥ 6 months versus none. We subsequently performed random effects meta-analysis to confirm our findings, identify potential sources of heterogeneity, and evaluate for outliers or influential studies. RESULTS: Breastfeeding was reported by 64.8% of control mothers and 64.5% of case mothers and was not associated with CBT (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94-1.15), astrocytoma (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.87-1.17), medulloblastoma/PNET (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.93-1.32), or ependymoma (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.81-1.40). Results were similar when we restricted to breastfeeding ≥ 6 months and in meta-analyses. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that breastfeeding does not protect against CBT.

Risk factor analysis and nomogram establishment and verification of brain astrocytoma patients based on SEER database.

Astrocytoma is a common brain tumor that can occur in any part of the central nervous system. This tumor is extremely harmful to patients, and there are no clear studies on the risk factors for astrocytoma of the brain. This study was conducted based on the SEER database to determine the risk factors affecting the survival of patients with astrocytoma of the brain. Patients diagnosed with brain astrocytoma in the SEER database from 2004 to 2015 were screened by inclusion exclusion criteria. Final screened brain astrocytoma patients were classified into low grade and high grade according to WHO classification. The risk factors affecting the survival of patients with low-grade and high-grade brain astrocytoma were analyzed by univariate Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests, individually. Secondly, the data were randomly divided into training set and validation set according to the ratio of 7:3, and the training set data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and the risk factors affecting the survival of patients were screened and nomogram was established to predict the survival rates of patients at 3 years and 5 years. The area under the ROC curve (AUC value), C-index, and Calibration curve are used to evaluate the sensitivity and calibration of the model. Univariate Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test showed that the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with low-grade astrocytoma included Age, Primary site, Tumor histological type, Grade, Tumor size, Extension, Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy and Tumor number; risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with high-grade astrocytoma include Age, Primary site, Tumor histological type, Tumor size, Extension, Laterality, Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy and Tumor number. Through Cox regression, independent risk factors of patients with two grades were screened separately, and nomograms of risk factors for low-grade and high-grade astrocytoma were successfully established to predict the survival rate of patients at 3 and 5 years. The AUC values of low-grade astrocytoma training set patients were 0.829 and 0.801, and the C-index was 0.818 (95% CI 0.779, 0.857). The AUC values of patients in the validation set were 0.902, 0.829, and the C-index was 0.774 (95% CI 0.758, 0.790), respectively. The AUC values of high-grade astrocytoma training set patients were 0.814 and 0.806, the C-index was 0.774 (95% CI 0.758, 0.790), the AUC values of patients in the validation set were 0.802 and 0.823, and the C-index was 0.766 (95% CI 0.752, 0.780), respectively, and the calibration curves of the two levels of training set and validation set were well fitted. This study used data from the SEER database to identify risk factors affecting the survival prognosis of patients with brain astrocytoma, which can provide some guidance for clinicians.

Age is a major determinant for poor prognosis in patients with pilocytic astrocytoma: a SEER population study.

Background Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) are central nervous system tumors with variable prognosis and poorly understood risk factors. Little evidence exists regarding the effect of age on mortality in PA. Therefore, we conducted a thorough characterization of PA in the US. Methods We queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2000 and 2018 to extract age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR), age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR), and survival data on PA. The age group comparisons for each measure varied depending on available SEER data. We compared trends in AAIR and AAMR by two age groups (children, 0-19 years; adults, 20 + years) and by sex. The cumulative incidence function and the Fine-Gray competing risk model were applied by 0-19, 20-39, 40-59, and 60 + years of age groups. Results This study included 5211 incident PA and 462 PA-specific deaths between 2000 and 2018. Trends in AAIRs and AAMRs were almost constant between 2000 and 2018. Average AAIRs had a sharp peak in 1-4 years of age groups, whereas AAMRs had a gradual peak in 80-84 years of age groups. Age groups, tumor location, and race/ethnicity were significantly associated with PA-specific death, whereas only age was associated with other cause of deaths. Conclusions Trends in AAIRs and AAMRs were constant regardless of age. PAs in older populations, especially over 60 years old, have higher incidence of death than those in younger populations.

Prevalence of seizures in brain tumor: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of seizures in brain tumors vary substantially between studies even with similar histopathological types. We aimed to identify the seizure prevalence of the commonest types of brain tumors. METHODS: Systematic computerized search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were performed. The meta-analysis of pooled prevalence and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for tumor-related seizures were calculated by using a random effect model. Based on the 2014 epilepsy definition, a mean seizure prevalence of 60 % is used to indicate high seizure prevalence in this study. RESULTS: 74 studies that reported seizure prevalence with 23,116 patients were included in this meta-analysis. These tumors has higher seizure incidence rate (at least 60 %) with pooled prevalence of 63 % for adult with low-grade astrocytoma (95 % CI: 57-68 %), 65 % for oligodendroglioma (95% CI: 57-72 %), 72 % for oligoastrocytoma (95 % CI: 67-77 %), 81 % for ganglioglioma (95 % CI: 66-97 %) and 94 % for DNET (94 % CI: 83-100 %). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the type of brain tumors that carry a high seizure prevalence. Screening for subtle seizures and early management of seizures may be beneficial in patients with low-grade astrocytoma (adult), oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma, ganglioglioma or DNET brain tumor.

Gliomas of the Optic Nerve: A SEER-Based Epidemiologic Study.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether patients with biopsy-confirmed optic nerve glioma differ in clinical features and outcomes from those diagnosed by neuroradiologic imaging alone. METHODS: Retrospective comparative analysis. Pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) and gliomas of the optic nerve were identified through ICD-O codes in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry from 1975 through 2017. Demographics, clinical features, and outcomes were compared according to the method of diagnosis (biopsy-confirmed and radiologic only) and by age (birth through 19 years and 20 years of age and older). Differences in proportions were tested with the chi-square test. Associations with tumor-related death were evaluated with logistic regression. Statistical significance: α < 0.01. RESULTS: Over 42 years, 313 PAs and 720 gliomas of the optic nerve were identified. The young age distributions were similar between the 2 groups. PAs were biopsied more often than gliomas (54% vs 13.2% [ P < 0.001]). Tumor-attributable death occurred more often among PAs and gliomas that were biopsied than those that were not (7.1% vs 0.7% [ P < 0.01]; 7.4% vs 1.1% [ P < 0.01], respectively). Roughly 15% of both PAs and gliomas were diagnosed in persons 20 years and older. CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy-confirmed cases of PA and glioma of the optic nerve were associated with more therapeutic interventions and worse outcomes compared with patients who were diagnosed radiologically. Clinical variables relevant to clinical decision-making not captured by SEER likely explain the inability to meaningfully interpret outcome from the registry database. Cancer registries should avoid coding specific histopathologic diagnoses when tissue is not obtained.

Epidemiologic profile and outcome of primary pediatric brain tumors in Iran: retrospective study and literature review.

PURPOSE: Primary pediatric tumors are the most common solid tumors in children. There are limited reports on the management and outcome of these tumors in the developing countries. In recent years, advances have been done in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of these tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathology, characteristics, and outcome of primary pediatric tumors in Iran. METHODS: This retrospective study examines primary brain tumors in children below 14 years of age who have undergone surgery. Histopathological characteristics according to WHO 2017 classification, age, sex, tumor resection rate, and patient outcome were extracted and studied. The results of the study were compared with the results of similar reports from neighboring countries and other parts of the world. RESULTS: In this study, 199 primary pediatric tumors were examined. Out of 199 cases, 114 cases were males, and 85 cases were females, and the male/female ratio was 1.34. The most common tumor group in this study was astrocytic tumors (68.3%) and the most common tumor was pilocytic astrocytoma (22.1%). In terms of malignancy, 50.7% of tumors were benign, and 49.3% were malignant. Total resection was done in 46% and subtotal resection in 35%. The mortality rate was found 19.2%. َAmong the remaining cases during follow-up, 76.6% had a good outcome without neurological deficits or mild disability and 23.4% had moderate to severe disability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study in terms of pathology and demographic characteristics were mainly similar to other reports. The mean age of patients was lower, and the patients' outcome was better than the other countries in the region.

Prevalence of BRAFV600 in glioma and use of BRAF Inhibitors in patients with BRAFV600 mutation-positive glioma: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Detailed prevalence estimates of BRAFV600 mutations and BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) treatment responses in V600-mutant glioma will inform trial development. METHODS: Our systematic review analyzed overall prevalence of BRAFV600 mutations in glioma and BRAFi treatment response. RESULTS: Based on 13 682 patients in 182 publications, the prevalence of BRAFV600 in epithelioid glioblastoma (eGBM) was 69% [95% CI: 45-89%]; pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA): 56% [48-64%] anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (aPXA): 38% [23-54%], ganglioglioma (GG): 40% [33-46%], and anaplastic ganglioglioma (aGG): 46% [18-76%]. Prevalence in astroblastoma was 24% [8-43%], desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma (DIA): 16% [0-57%], subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA): 8% [0-37%], dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET): 3% [0-11%], diffuse astrocytoma (DA): 3% [0-9%], and pilocytic astrocytoma (PA): 3% [2-5%]. We reviewed 394 V600-mutant gliomas treated with BRAFi from 130 publications. One hundred and twenty-nine pediatric low-grade gliomas showed 4 (3.1%) complete response (CR); 53 (41.1%) partial response (PR); 64 (49.6%) stable disease (SD) and 8 (6.2%) progressive disease (PD). 25 pediatric high-grade gliomas showed CR; PR; SD; PD in 4 (16.0%); 10 (40.0%), 4 (16.0%); and 7 (28.0%) respectively. Thirty-nine adult low-grade gliomas showed CR; PR; SD; PD of 4 (10.3%); 17 (43.6%); 16 (41.0%) and 2 (5.1%) respectively. Ninety-seven adult high-grade gliomas showed CR; PR; SD; PD of 6 (6.2%); 31 (32.0%); 27 (27.8%); and 33 (34.0%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BRAFV600 prevalence is highest in eGBM, PXA, aPXA, GG, aGG, and lower in astroblastoma, DIA, SEGA, DNET, DA, and PA. Our data provide the rationale for adjuvant clinical trials of BRAFi in V600-mutant glioma.

Incidence and survival for childhood central nervous system tumours in Australia, 1983-2016.

PURPOSE: To investigate incidence and survival of childhood tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) by histological subtype, tumour behaviour and tumour grade. METHODS: National, population-based data on all children under 15 years old diagnosed with a CNS tumour between 1983 and 2016 were sourced from the Australian Childhood Cancer Registry. Incidence rate trends were calculated using Joinpoint regression. Relative survival was calculated using the cohort method, with changes in survival over time by cancer type and tumour grade assessed by multivariable flexible parametric survival modelling. RESULTS: The study cohort included 4914 patients, with astrocytoma (n = 2181, 44%) and embryonal tumours (n = 931, 19%) the most common diagnostic subgroups. Almost half (n = 2181, 44%) of all tumours were classified as high grade (III or IV). Incidence rates increased by 29% between 1983 and 2016, with high grade tumours rising by an annual average of + 1.1% (95% CI = + 0.7%, + 1.5%, p < 0.001). 5-year survival for all patients combined was 72% (95% CI = 71-74%), ranging from 50% (46-54%) for those with other gliomas to 81% (79-83%) for astrocytoma (p < 0.001). Survival improved over time for grade II and III ependymomas but not for patients with astrocytoma irrespective of grade. CONCLUSION: Improvements in diagnostic technology leading to more precise tumour classification are likely to explain some of the differences in incidence rate trends by histological type and grade. While improvements in survival over time were noted for some tumours, outcomes remained poor among patients with high-grade astrocytoma.

Demographic and prognostic factors of optic nerve astrocytoma: a retrospective study of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER).

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve astrocytomas (ONAs) are neurological neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS), and they have the highest incidence rate among all the tumor types in the visual pathway. In this study, we conducted a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) -based research to explore the demographic, survival, and prognostic factors of patients diagnosed with ONAs. METHODS: Utilizing the SEER database, we retrospectively evaluated data of patients diagnosed with ONAs of all ages from 1984 to 2016. We used the Student's t distribution to test variables of patients and various characteristics, and Kaplan-Meier curve to illustrate overall survival (OS) with 95.0% confidence intervals (CIs). We also performed univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate various variables' validity on overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 1004 cases were analyzed, and revealed that age (P<0.001, hazard ratio (HR) = 8.830, 95% CI: 4.088-19.073), tumor grade (P<0.001, HR = 1.927, 95% CI: 1.516-2.450), diagnostic confirmation (P<0.001, HR = 2.444, 95% CI: 1.632-3.660), and histology type (P = 0.046, HR = 1.563, 95% CI: 1.008-2.424) of the tumor were associated with decreased survival. CONCLUSIONS: From this large, comparative study of ONAs, we found that younger age may be considered as a protective indicator, while high-grade astrocytic tumors have a worse prognosis. We also found that diagnostic confirmation and tumor grade were independent prognostic factors in this patient population.

Pediatric Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma: A National Database Inquiry on Current Treatment Approaches in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXAs) account for <1% of primary brain tumors, occurring predominantly in children and young adults. Surgical resection serves as the primary treatment for PXAs, while radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy protocols remain poorly defined. AIM: This study aims to determine current care patterns utilized for pediatric patients (≤ 18 years) diagnosed with PXAs and their effect on overall survival. METHODS: The United States National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried between 2004 and 2015 for pediatric patients (≤18 years) diagnosed with PXAs. RESULTS: From the 224 qualifying patients, most patients proceeded with surgery only (78.1%), while 11.6% of patients received both adjuvant RT and chemotherapy. In the 2010-2015 cohort, patients with subtotal resection were associated with poorer prognosis than those with gross-total resection (hazard ratio = 17.44, 95% confidence interval = 2.10-144.90, p < .001). RT and chemotherapy recipients were similarly associated with poorer survival than those treated with surgery only, with p-values of <.001 and respective hazard ratios of 3.82 (95% confidence interval = 1.85-7.90) and 6.68 (95% confidence interval = 3.21-13.89). The key factors impacting the probability of RT delivery involved WHO grade (p < .001) and chemotherapy administration (p < .001). However, WHO grade alone did not significantly impact survival (p-value = .088). CONCLUSION: Maximally safe resection is the current treatment goal for patients with PXAs. RT and chemotherapy are poorly utilized but had a greater role in managing more aggressive cases of PXAs. Additional research focusing on the impact of adjuvant therapies on tumor progression is needed to better guide treatment decisions.

Association of ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 polymorphisms in the 3'-UTR with astrocytoma risk and prognosis in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Astrocytoma is a common type of central nervous system tumor. In this study, we investigated the correlation between ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 polymorphisms and the risk and prognosis of astrocytoma. METHODS: A total of 365 astrocytoma patients and 379 healthy controls were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY system. The correlation between ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 variants and astrocytoma risk was calculated using logistic regression. The survival rate of patients with astrocytoma was analyzed to evaluate prognosis. RESULTS: We found that the ST6GAL1-rs2239611 significantly decreased the risk of astrocytoma in the codominant model (p = 0.044) and dominant model (p = 0.049). In stratified analyses, CYP19A1-rs2255192 might be associated with a higher risk of astrocytoma among the low-grade subgroup under recessive (p = 0.034) and additive (p = 0.030) models. However, CYP19A1-rs4646 had a risk-decreasing effect on the high-grade subgroup in the codominant model (p = 0.044). The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the CYP19A1-rs2239611 and -rs1042757 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with the prognosis of astrocytoma. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 genes may be a potential biomarker of genetic susceptibility and prognosis to astrocytoma in the Chinese Han population.

The age of adult pilocytic astrocytoma cells.

Adult pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) have been regarded as indistinguishable from pediatric PAs in terms of genome-wide expression and methylation patterns. It has been unclear whether adult PAs arise early in life and remain asymptomatic until adulthood, or whether they develop during adulthood. We sought to determine the age and origin of adult human PAs using two types of "marks" in the genomic DNA. First, we analyzed the DNA methylation patterns of adult and pediatric PAs to distinguish between PAs of different anatomic locations (n = 257 PA and control brain tissues). Second, we measured the concentration of nuclear bomb test-derived 14C in genomic DNA (n = 14 cases), which indicates the time point of the formation of human cell populations. Our data suggest that adult and pediatric PAs developing in the infratentorial brain are closely related and potentially develop from precursor cells early in life, whereas supratentorial PAs might show age and location-specific differences.

Landscape of Germline Genetic Variants in AGT, MGMT, and TP53 in Mexican Adult Patients with Astrocytoma.

Astrocytoma is the most common type of primary brain tumor. The risk factors for astrocytoma are poorly understood; however, germline genetic variants account for 25% of the risk of developing gliomas. In this study, we assessed the risk of astrocytoma associated with variants in AGT, known by its role in angiogenesis, TP53, a well-known tumor suppressor and the DNA repair gene MGMT in a Mexican population. A case-control study was performed in 49 adult Mexican patients with grade II-IV astrocytoma. Sequencing of exons and untranslated regions of AGT, MGMT, and TP53 from was carried in an Ion Torrent platform. Individuals with Mexican Ancestry from the 1000 Genomes Project were used as controls. Variants found in our cohort were then assessed in a The Cancer Genome Atlas astrocytoma pan-ethnic validation cohort. Variants rs1926723 located in AGT (OR 2.74, 1.40-5.36 95% CI), rs7896488 in MGMT (OR 3.43, 1.17-10.10 95% CI), and rs4968187 in TP53 (OR 2.48, 1.26-4.88 95% CI) were significantly associated with the risk of astrocytoma after multiple-testing correction. This is the first study where the AGT rs1926723 variant, TP53 rs4968187, and MGMT rs7896488 were found to be associated with the risk of developing an astrocytoma.

Hydrocephalus in primary intradural spinal cord tumors: a systematic review of the literature in the pediatric population.

Hydrocephalus in children with primary intradural spinal cord tumors is exceedingly rare. Herewith, we performed a systematic literature review to address epidemiology, suggested pathophysiological mechanisms, prognostic factors, and treatment of such cases. We performed a systematic review with the best available evidence on cases of pediatric primary intradural tumors of the spinal cord presented with hydrocephalus. The patients were subjected to quantitative analysis on a basis of epidemiological features (age, sex, tumor type and location, clinical presentation, survival, dissemination). The possible pathophysiological theories are discussed in detail. Forty-four studies with a total of 121 patients were included in the study. Astrocytomas were the most frequent tumor (64.5%) type, while most tumors were located in cervical (31.4%) or cervicothoracic region (25.6%). About half of the cases concerned children under 6 years of age. The block of subarachnoid CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) pathways from disseminated tumor cells and the neoplastic inflammation caused by tumor elements advocated to be the major pathogenetic mechanisms. Surgical excision of the tumor and hydrocephalus treatment is usually performed. Primary intradural spinal cord tumors should be considered in children with communicative hydrocephalus of unknown etiology. Onset of hydrocephalus after tumor removal is related to higher mortality.

[Descriptive epidemiology and frequency variations of astrocytic tumors in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico]. / Epidemiología descriptiva y cambios en la frecuencia de tumores astrocíticos en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía de México.

OBJECTIVE: To determine distribution, localization and frequency variations of astrocytic tumors (AT) in a Mexican Institute of neurology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional registries of AT from five decades were analyzed. AT/ Surgical discharges (SD) and AT/Central Nervous System Tumors (CNST) from 1995 to 2014 were compared. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred and eighty-seven AT (1 356 men and 931 women) were analyzed. The most common glioma was glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), found in young adults with a higher frequency to that reported in other studies. Relation of AT/SD, as well as, relation of AT/CNST was similar between 1995 and 2014. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the frequency of AT worldwide, being higher in the subgroup of young adults with GBM. There was not significant variation in the frequency of AT during the time studied.

OBJETIVO: Determinar distribución, localización y cambios de la frecuencia de tumores astrocíticos (TA) en un instituto mexicano de neurología. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron los registros institucionales de TA de cinco décadas. Se compararon las relaciones TA/egresos quirúrgicos (EQ) y TA/total de tumores del sistema nervioso central (TSNC) de 1995 a 2014. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 2 287 TA (1 356 en hombres y 931 en mujeres). El glioma más común fue el glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), que estuvo presente en adultos jóvenes con una frecuencia mayor a la reportada en otros estudios. La relación TA/EQ y TA/TNSC fue similar entre 1995 y 2014. CONCLUSIONES: En general, la frecuencia de TA atendidos en el Instituto es similar a la reportada internacionalmente. No obstante, los casos de TA en el subgrupo de adultos jóvenes con GBM son más frecuentes (40%) que las incidencias reportadas en otros estudios (menores al 5%). No se encontró variación significativa en la frecuencia de TA durante las últimas dos décadas.

Epidemiología descriptiva y cambios en la frecuencia de tumores astrocíticos en el Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía de México / Descriptive epidemiology and frequency variations of astrocytic tumors in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar distribución, localización y cambios de la frecuencia de tumores astrocíticos (TA) en un instituto mexicano de neurología. Material y métodos: Se revisaron los registros institucionales de TA de cinco décadas. Se compararon las relaciones TA/egresos quirúrgicos (EQ) y TA/total de tumores del sistema nervioso central (TSNC) de 1995 a 2014. Resultados: Se analizaron 2 287 TA (1 356 en hombres y 931 en mujeres). El glioma más común fue el glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), que estuvo presente en adultos jóvenes con una frecuencia mayor a la reportada en otros estudios. La relación TA/EQ y TA/TNSC fue similar entre 1995 y 2014. Conclusiones: En general, la frecuencia de TA atendidos en el Instituto es similar a la reportada internacionalmente. No obstante, los casos de TA en el subgrupo de adultos jóvenes con GBM son más frecuentes (40%) que las incidencias reportadas en otros estudios (menores al 5%). No se encontró variación significativa en la frecuencia de TA durante las últimas dos décadas.

Abstract: Objective: To determine distribution, localization and frequency variations of astrocytic tumors (AT) in a Mexican Institute of neurology. Materials and methods: Institutional registries of AT from five decades were analyzed. AT/Surgical discharges (SD) and AT/Central Nervous System Tumors (CNST) from 1995 to 2014 were compared. Results: Two thousand two hundred and eighty-seven AT (1 356 men and 931 women) were analyzed. The most common glioma was glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), found in young adults with a higher frequency to that reported in other studies. Relation of AT/SD, as well as, relation of AT/CNST was similar between 1995 and 2014. Conclusions: In general, the frequency of AT attended at the Institute is similar to that found worldwide, being only higher the number of GBM in younger adults. There was not significant variation in the frequency of AT during the time studied.

Birth seasonality of childhood central nervous system tumors: Analysis of primary data from 16 Southern-Eastern European population-based registries.

Season of birth, a surrogate of seasonal variation of environmental exposures, has been associated with increased risk of several cancers. In the context of a Southern-Eastern Europe (SEE) consortium, we explored the potential association of birth seasonality with childhood (0-14 years) central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Primary CNS tumor cases (n = 6,014) were retrieved from 16 population-based SEE registries (1983-2015). Poisson regression and meta-analyses on birth season were performed in nine countries with available live birth data (n = 4,987). Subanalyses by birth month, age, gender and principal histology were also conducted. Children born during winter were at a slightly increased risk of developing a CNS tumor overall [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.06, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.99-1.14], and of embryonal histology specifically (IRR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.27). The winter peak of embryonal tumors was higher among boys (IRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.46), especially during the first 4 years of life (IRR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.03-1.71). In contrast, boys <5 years born during summer seemed to be at a lower risk of embryonal tumors (IRR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54-0.99). A clustering of astrocytomas was also found among girls (0-14 years) born during spring (IRR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.46). Although the present exploratory results are by no means definitive, they provide some indications for age-, gender- and histology-related seasonal variations of CNS tumors. Expansion of registration and linkage with cytogenetic reports could refine if birth seasonality is causally associated with CNS tumors and shed light into the complex pathophysiology of this lethal disease.