ABSTRACT
We report a case series of 14 children with intracranial germ cell tumor and concomitant central diabetes insipidus, who developed hyponatremia secondary to renal salt-wasting syndrome (RSWS) following the administration of carboplatin. Clinicians prescribing platinum-based chemotherapy for this group of patients should be alert to the risk of RSWS. Regular monitoring should be performed as hyponatremia can be asymptomatic until it is severe.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic , Diabetes Mellitus , Hyponatremia , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal , Wasting Syndrome , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Carboplatin/adverse effects , Child , Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/complications , Female , Humans , Hyponatremia/chemically induced , Hyponatremia/complications , Male , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/complications , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/drug therapy , Syndrome , Wasting Syndrome/complicationsABSTRACT
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent the most deadly cancer in pediatric age group. In China, thousands of children are diagnosed with CNS tumors every year. Despite the improving socioeconomic status and availability of medical expertise within the country, unique challenges remain for the delivery of pediatric neuro-oncology service. In this review, we discuss the existing hurdles for improving the outcome of children with CNS tumors in China. Need for precise disease burden estimation, lack of intra- and inter-hospital collaborative networks, high probability of treatment abandonment, along with financial toxicities from treatment represent the key challenges that Chinese healthcare providers encounter. The tremendous opportunities for advancing the status of pediatric neuro-oncology care in and beyond the country are explored.