The impact of surgical resection of giant supratentorial brain tumor in pediatric patients: safety and neurological outcome evaluated in 23 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the impact of gross total resection of giant supratentorial brain tumors (GSBT) on survival and neurological outcome in a consecutive single-center pediatric series. METHODS: Clinical data of 23 patients under 18 years of age operated with GSBT (≥5 cm in diameter) were reviewed to determine epidemiological aspects, clinical presentation, associated factors, histopathological features, and outcome. Volumetric measurements were performed on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans obtained at the time of the initial surgical procedure. RESULTS: The group included 23 patients (mean age 4.5 years). Signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure were present in 19 patients (82.6%). The most frequent tumor location was the parietal lobe in 19 patients (82.6%), and the mean tumor volume was 208 cm(3). Gross total or radical resection was achieved in all patients. Histopathological analysis revealed malignant brain tumors in 18 cases (78.2%). The most common neoplasm was choroid plexus carcinoma in seven (30.4 %). Mean intraoperative blood transfusion volume was 51.2 ml/kg. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were performed as adjuvant treatment in 16 patients (69.5%). Mean length of follow-up was 36.7 months. Tumor malignancy grade significantly correlated with recurrence of the disease (P = 0.03) and death (P = 0.01), as opposed to tumor location, size, and extension to the ventricles. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical experience suggests that tumor mass reduction by en bloc surgery seems to be an effective approach in pediatric patients with GSBT, relieving symptoms related to raised intracranial pressure and providing a better response to adjuvant treatment.