A proper scientific, but still digestible, review of Childhood Brain Cancer

OVERVIEW SUMMARY

Paediatric brain tumours are the most common type of solid childhood cancer and only second to leukemia as a cause of paediatric malignancies. They are classified into supratentorial and infratentorial lesions. They could also be classified according to the age of presentation into congenital brain tumours (CBT) (diagnosed antenatally in the first 60 days of life), tumours of the infancy (younger than 1 year of age), and tumours of older children. The prognosis of paediatric brain tumours depends mainly on the age of presentation, histological type, and extent of respectability. This article reviews the etiology, presentation, and pathophysiology of childhood brain cancers and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in their management.

Introduction

Paediatric brain tumours are the most common type of solid childhood cancer and only second to leukemia as a cause of paediatric malignancies. They are classified into supra and infratentorial tumours. They could also be classified according to the age of diagnosis into congenital brain tumours (CBT) (diagnosed antenatally in the first 60 days of life),  tumours of the infancy (younger than 1 year of age), and older children. The prognosis of paediatric brain tumours depends on the age at presentation, histological type, and extent of resection. CBT behaves in different ways than pathologically similar tumours in older children. For example, high-grade gliomas exhibit sightly better prognosis in very young children compared to their older counterparts.With the advances in imaging techniques, molecular biology, and genetics, paediatric brain tumours are increasingly being diagnosed early in the disease course, sub-grouped, and treated with more targeted strategies.

Among all childhood cancers, brain tumours are the leading cause of death.

This article highlights the congenital group with an emphasis on the most common types in this category, specifically; teratoma, choroid plexus papilloma, desmoplastic infantile tumours (DIA/DIG), glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and medulloblastoma.

Etiology

Despite advances in medical knowledge, there is no direct cause for brain tumours identified. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is blamed to come into play in the pathogenesis of brain tumours. Multiple known cancer predisposition syndromes show associations with brain tumours, for example, DICER1, Li-Fraumeni, and other neurocutaneous syndromes such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, and Von-Hippel Lindau.

Family history may play a role in the aetiology as many studies report an association of brain tumours and siblings.

The parental age at birth may also play a role. Studies show that offspring are at high risk for brain cancer (astrocytoma and ependymoma) in women who are older than 40.

Several studies have suggested a link between infectious exposure during childhood and brain cancer, but this topic remains debatable.

High dose radiation has been linked to brain malignancies. Children who have received radiation for leukemia are known to be at risk for developing brain cancer.

Further elaboration of the pathogenesis of brain tumour is beyond this quick review.

Epidemiology

The incidence of paediatric brain tumours varies among different countries. It ranges from 1.15 to 5.14 cases per 100,000 children, with the highest rates reported in the United States.The incidence of CBT ranges from approximately 0.3 to 2.9 cases per 100,000 live births in different parts of the world.Their prognosis and survival rates depend on multiple factors including the histological subtype and location.

For the congenital group, the most common type is teratoma (26.6% to 48%). Followed by astrocytoma (7.4% to 28.8%), choroid plexus papilloma (3.7% to 13.2%), embryonal tumour (3% to 13%), craniopharyngioma (5.6% to 6.8%), and ependymoma (4.4%).

Pathophysiology

Supratentorial tumours are more common than the infratentorial tumours in those younger than the age of 3 years, while posterior fossa tumours are more common between the ages of 4 to 10. After puberty, both groups occur with equal frequency.

Congenital brain tumours (CBTs) are tumours that are diagnosed antenatally or within the first 2 months of life.Teratoma, a germ cell tumour is the most common type of congenital brain tumour. The incidence of teratoma is equally distributed among both genders.

Choroid plexus papillomas are the third most common mass in the paediatric population after teratomas and gliomas. They can arise from anywhere where choroid plexus is present. Typically, in infants, they arise within the lateral ventricles.

Medulloblastoma is one of the common perinatal tumours and is the most common posterior fossa tumour in the paediatric age group. Medulloblastomas arise from the vermis of the cerebellum. It can cause obstructive hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal seeding along the spinal cord.

Histopathology

The histopathology and molecular basis of brain tumours vary tremendously among the subtypes. For example:

Teratomas

Teratomas are derived from all 3 germ layers.They can be mature, immature, or malignant. The malignant form is the least common among congenital brain tumours.

Gliomas

Gliomas arise from glial precursor cells of the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytic tumours make a large group of neoplasms that have different clinicopathologic and histological subtypes and grades from (WHO grade I to IV). Gliomas are classified as low grade (WHO grade I/II) and high grade (WHO grade III/IV). For example, pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I) and glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). Desmoplastic infantile astrocytoma and ganglioglioma (DIA/DIG) are WHO grade I tumours.Congenital (GBM) is a very rare brain tumour (WHO grade IV). This lesion shows clinical and molecular characteristics that are different from their paediatric or adult counterparts and has a better prognosis than the paediatric and adult GBM.

Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is one of the embryonal brain tumours. Molecular studies have shown that medulloblastomas are not a single entity but rather a group of different neoplasms that have a different cell of origin and thus behave differently from each other. In the revised 2016 WHO classification of brain tumour, there are currently four identified subgroups of medulloblastoma wingless(WNT), sonic hedgehog(SHH), group 3, and group 4.

History and Physical

CBTs are occasionally discovered during the second or third-trimester ultrasound. Antenatal ultrasound may show intracranial mass, hydrocephalus, polyhydramnios, among other signs. Fetal MRI is increasingly used to confirm findings visualized on ultrasound. Postnatally, common presentations are hydrocephalus, macrocrania, and localizing neurological signs.

In neonates and older children, the clinical presentation depends on the site of tumour involvement. Supratentorial tumours may present with limb weakness, convulsions, and altered level of consciousness. Infratentorial tumours commonly present with signs of raised intracranial pressure (HCP) and imbalance.

Evaluation

Teratoma typically visualized as a mixed echogenic and cystic intracranial mass on antenatal ultrasound during the second and third trimester.MRI shows heterogeneous signal intensity on T1/T2. The presence of fat signal intensity on T1 is almost pathognomonic. It appears as a mixed density lesion in CT with frequent coarse calcification. again, the presence of fat is a good clue to the diagnosis. Supratentorial location is more common than infratentorial.

Glioblastoma multiforme is a high-grade astrocytoma, typically presents as a large, ill-defined, intracranial mass occupying most of one hemisphere or spread through the corpus callosum into the other hemisphere. It appears as an echogenic heterogeneous mass on ultrasonography and commonly shows intralesional haemorrhage and necrosis.Diffusion restriction in MRI is a key feature that reflects the high-grade nature of the lesion. GBM usually presents with features of raised ICP.

Choroid plexus papilloma typically presents as enhancing intraventricular mass on CT,and iso-hypo intense on T1 and iso-hyperintense on T2 MRI. It commonly causes significant hydrocephalus.

Medulloblastoma typically presents as a midline posterior fossa tumour growing into the fourth ventricle. It appears hyperdense on CT-scan, has variable intensity on T1/T2 MRI with diffusion restriction and varying contrast enhancement.

Scanning the whole neural axis is mandatory to look for CSF seeding and spinal drop metastasis.

Treatment / Management

The principal treatment for CBT is surgery aiming for gross total resection.The extent of the CBT and the general condition of the patient are important determinants of surgical outcome.Adjuvant therapies are not commonly used in neonates. Craniospinal radiotherapy results in significant developmental retardation and is avoided during the first 3 years of life.

Differential Diagnosis

Abscess

Neonatal brain abscess could occur as a complication of bacterial meningitis in 1.3% to 4.0% neonates.Several congenital CNS infections like TORCH (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex) infections may mimic metastatic disease from extracranial neoplasms in children.

Intracranial Haemorrhage

Variable stages of evolving hematoma may mimic tumours on imaging especially in the subacute and chronic stages which show central clot retraction and peripheral enhancement with/without surrounding edema on CT and MRI. MRI sequences like SWI for blood products, DWI and MRS, could aid in the differentiation as well as follow-up images. If underlying vascular malformation or vascular lesion is suspected, then a dedicated  MRI angiography or CT angiogram can be performed.

Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic arterial or venous stroke may mimic tumour on imaging. A diagnostic dilemma arises typically when imaging shows mass effects and/or irregular contrast enhancements, advanced MRI sequences like DWI and perfusion MRI can throw further light. As a general rule, if the edema shows restricted diffusion, then tumoral edema is the culprit. However, clinical history and knowledge of arterial and venous territories are of paramount importance for an accurate diagnosis.

Neurocutaneous Syndromes

Neurofibromatosis (NF), tuberous sclerosis(TS), Sturge-Weber syndrome, Von-Hippel Lindau (VHL), and hereditary telangiectasia are well-known syndromes with central nervous system (CNS) manifestations that are non-neoplastic. These syndromes are known to predispose to specific types of brain tumours. For example, NF-1 could be associated with low-grade gliomas. TS may be associated with SEGA (subependymal giant cell astrocytomas), and hemangioblastomas are seen in VHL. Physicians may find it challenging to differentiate between the non-neoplastic NF-related myelin vacuolation spots and low-grade glioma in settings of NF-1. Cortical and subcortical T2 hyperintense tubers in tuberous sclerosis may mimic gliomas.

Prognosis

Congenital brain tumours have a poor prognosis with overall survival of less than 30%.Several factors such as malignant histological type, size, and location of the tumour, stage of fetal development, and treatment-related complications play a significant role in survival outcomes.

Complications

Complications vary with type, site and size of the tumour, and treatment protocol.

Deterrence and Patient Education

Teamwork is key in the successful management of brain tumours. Full and detailed education of families and involvement in the decision-making process as appropriate is vital. The treatment protocols are usually discussed at multidisciplinary meetings to explore the best treatment options available and the expected prognosis of the patient. Support and counselling to the family during treatment makes a big difference. Genetic testing and profiling are offered on certain occasions for families to help in prognosis and future family planning.

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes  Early detection of brain tumors and prompt referral to pediatric neurosurgery and pediatric neuro-oncology teams is vital. This usually starts with the pediatrician, nurse practitioner, family physician or emergency physician. The optimum care of patients with brain tumors occurs through an interprofessional collaboration including oncology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, radiotherapy, nursing, rehabilitation, and social workers.