Aim:Childhood meningiomas are rare group of tumors that differ from adult counterparts and there is paucity of literature regarding their long-term outcomes. In this study, our aim was to evaluate long-term outcomes and prognostic variables in a surgical cohort of pediatric meningiomas treated at a single institution.
Material and Methods:Medical records and follow-up notes of 23 pediatric patients (age <18 years) harboring 27 meningiomas operated between 1994 and 2019 at Hacettepe University Childrens Hospital were evaluated.
Results:There were 12 male and 11 female patients. Mean age at presentation was 13.1±4.4 years. There were one patient with NF1 and 5 patients with NF2. Most common location of tumor was convexity (n=6) and parasagittal/falcine (n=6). Gross total resection was performed in 70.4% of cases. WHO grade I tumors accounted for 56% of all cases, whereas high grade meningiomas were present in 44% (33% grade II, 11% grade III). Mean follow-up duration was 10.3±7.7 years. Three patients (13%) died during follow-up, and 76.2% of the patients had favorable outcome (GOS>3) at the time of last follow-up assessment. Relapses occurred in 10 patients (43.5%). In univariate analysis, low histologic grade (p=0.030) and gross total resection (p=0.024) were associated with favorable outcome. 10-year overall survival rate was 86%.
Conclusion:Meningiomas in the pediatric age group are surgically treatable tumors with fairly good outcomes. However relapses are not uncommon even for low grade tumors, therefore long-term surveillance and aggressive treatment is needed.