The role of sex genotype in paediatric CNS tumour incidence and survival

• DOI: 10.1007/s00381-021-05165-0
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05T06:02:37Z
• Authors: Wai Cheong Soon; Edward Goacher; Sandeep Solanki; Josie Hayes; Melpo Kapetanstra...; Susan Picton; Paul Dominic Chumas; Ryan Koshy Mathew
• Keywords: Ependymoma; Germinoma

Abstract Purpose Evidence exists, in CNS germinomas and medulloblastomas (MB), that patient sex significantly influences incidence outcome. The role of genotype other paediatric tumours remains unclear. This study sought to examine the tumour overall survival (OS). Methods Age-adjusted OS rates were collected from Surveillance Epidemiology End Result (SEER) registry between 2000 2011 for common (<=19 years) tumours: pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), anaplastic astrocytoma, glioblastoma (GBM), medulloblastoma, supratentorial embryonal tumour, ependymoma, germinoma. All patients with histologically confirmed, ICD-03 coded, first tumours, included. Kaplan-Meier Cox regression analyses used calculate hazard ratios (HR). Results total cases are as follows: males=3018 females=2276. Highest was seen PA ( n =2103). GBM displayed worst OS, whilst best. Higher observed males all except PA. Females ependymoma had better compared males, whereas females. <1 year AA than males. Increasing age improved male female medulloblastoma. Conclusion Interrogating population-based registries such SEER minimises bias provides credible data. Observed differences sexes different provide useful prognostic information clinicians. Sex a significant independent factor ependymomas germinomas. Further investigation possible epigenetic hormonal may sex-specific vulnerabilities be exploitable targeted therapy.