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Posterior cranial fossa tumours in children at National Cancer Institute, Sudan: a single institution experience

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Abstract

Background

Posterior cranial fossa tumours (PCF) comprise 54–70% of childhood brain tumours. The clinical profile and outcomes of these tumours differ in area of the world. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of posterior cranial fossa tumours in Sudan.

Material and methods

A retrospective study of children diagnosed with posterior cranial fossa tumours and treated between January 1998 and December 2015 at National Cancer Institute, Sudan.

Results

A total of 31 paediatric patients with a posterior cranial fossa brain tumour were identified over the study period. The mean age was 7.9 years (standard deviation (SD) = 3.37). Females were slightly more affected (51%) than males (49%), and the majority of patients were from rural areas (71%). Brainstem tumours were the most frequent tumour type (48%) followed by medulloblastoma (36%). The mean pre-diagnostic symptomatic interval was 3.6 months (SD = 3.95). Overall survival rate of our total study population at 1, 2 and 5 years was 23, 19 and 13%, respectively.

Conclusion

Overall, this study draws attention to the situation of paediatric brain tumours in Sudan. Late presentation, misdiagnosis and limited diagnostic and treatment resources are challenges that may contribute to poor outcome in these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Cancer institute, University of Gezira, P.O Box 20, Wad Madani, Sudan

    Moawia Mohammed Ali Elhassan

  2. Rebat University, Khartoum, Sudan

    Haytham Hussein Mohammed Osman

  3. Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Jeannette Parkes

Authors
  1. Moawia Mohammed Ali Elhassan
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  2. Haytham Hussein Mohammed Osman
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  3. Jeannette Parkes
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Correspondence to Moawia Mohammed Ali Elhassan.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Elhassan, M.M.A., Osman, H.H.M. & Parkes, J. Posterior cranial fossa tumours in children at National Cancer Institute, Sudan: a single institution experience. Childs Nerv Syst 33, 1303–1308 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3414-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-017-3414-1

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