Posterior Fossa Ependymomas In Children
Updated: Apr 4, 2023
Title Talk: Posterior Fossa Ependymomas In Children
Author: Dr. Ferrah Sofiane
Assistant Professor Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Oran Algeria Email: sofiane.ferrah@yahoo.fr Volume: Brain Cancer 2023_CN28_AA02 Abstract: Introduction: Ependymomas in the posterior fossa have a poor prognosis. This study reports a monocentric retrospective series of posterior fossa ependymomas in children.
Material and Methods: Thirty-four patients with posterior fossa ependymoma were treated from 2002 to 2018. Age varied from 6 months to 18 years with a median of 4,7 years. Fourteen patients underwent an initial ETV to control hydrocephalus. A direct surgical removal was performed in all patients. All patients received a complementary treatment.
Results: Surgical removal was complete in 27 patients after MRI control. Twenty patients were WHO grade 2 and 14 patients grade 3. Ninety-nine percents of tested tumors for trimethylated H3K27 belonged to the Posterior Fossa molecular group A (PFA). Sixteen patients presented recurrence (47%). The overall survival was 61.8% with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years and a median of 9 years. All survivors were tumour-free according to the MRI except 2 patients: one with a stable residue and 1 in palliative care for metastatic recurrence. Morbidity was characterized by facial nerve palsy in four cases, swallowing disorders in three cases, and transient cerebellar syndrome in 4 patients. Fifteen patients had normal schooling.
Conclusion: Posterior fossa ependymomas are aggressive tumors. Complete surgical removal remains the most important prognostic factor despite the associated risk of sequels. No obvious therapeutic target has yet emerged from molecular studies. In the future, it is important pursuing the search for molecular markers in order to improve the outcome.
Biography: Dr. Ferrah Sofiane is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Oran, Algeria
Degree of Specialized in neursurgery Faculty of Oran Algeria.
Specialised medical degree in neursurgery Paris France.
Certificate of training in endoscopic spine surgery
Member of the Algerian Society of Neurosurgery
Member of the French society of pediatric neurosurgery
