Primary Central Nervous System Tumors in Adolescents: A Population-Based Study on Epidemiology and Clinical Pathways in a Challenging Age Group.

BACKGROUND

Oncological care of adolescent patients is often inconsistent, as they frequently fall between pediatric and adult services. The Childhood Cancer Registry of Campania (CCRC) is the Italian largest population-based registry specializing in children 0-19 years old, with a target population of approximately 1.1 million inhabitants.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This report presents epidemiological indicators and clinical pathways on primary brain tumors in adolescents (15-19 years) from the Campania region.

RESULTS

Over the study period (2008-2020), the cohort included 219 adolescents with newly diagnosed central nervous system (CNS) tumors with an annual average incidence rate (IR) of 48.9 cases per million/year. The 5-year observed survival rate after diagnosis of CNS tumor was 84.8%. Overall, the most common tumor site was the pituitary gland and craniopharyngeal duct, representing 22.4% of all tumors. The most frequently occurring malignant primary CNS tumor was germinoma, while the most common non-malignant tumor was pituitary adenoma. Most patients were referred to adult services and nearly half migrated outside the region to receive cancer care.

CONCLUSIONS

Challenges in the care of adolescent oncology patients include limited access to specialized care, difficulties in transitioning from pediatric to adult institutions, distinct tumor biology, and the underrepresentation of adolescents in clinical trials. The care of adolescents with CNS tumors is fragmented across institutions and significant variations in practice exist between adult and pediatric practitioners.