Journal – JCO Global Oncology
Article type – Journal research article – Systematic review
Publication date – Oct – 2022
Authors – Richard Ward, Hannah M. Jones, Davis Witt, Frederick Boop, Eric Bouffet, Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Daniel C. Moreira
Keywords – cancer, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), low-grade glioma (LGG), pediatric patients
Open access – Yes
Speciality – Neurosurgery, Paediatric surgery, Surgical oncology
World region Global

Language – English
Submitted to the One Surgery Index on October 15, 2022 at 9:17 pm
Abstract:

PURPOSE
Pediatric CNS tumors are increasingly a priority, particularly with the WHO designation of low-grade glioma (LGG) as one of six index childhood cancers. There are currently limited data on outcomes of pediatric patients with LGGs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS
To better understand the outcomes of LGGs in LMICs, this systematic review interrogated nine literature databases.

RESULTS
The search identified 14,977 publications. Sixteen studies from 19 countries met the selection criteria and were included for data abstraction and analysis. Eleven studies (69%) were retrospective reviews from single institutions, and one (6%) captured institutional data prospectively. The studies captured a total of 957 patients with a median of 49 patients per study. Seven (44%) of the studies described the treatment modalities used. Of 373 patients for whom there was information, 173 (46%) had a gross total or near total resection, 109 (29%) had a subtotal resection, and 91 (24%) had only a biopsy performed. Seven studies, with a total of 476 patients, described the frequency of use of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy in the cohorts: 83 of these patients received radiotherapy and 76 received chemotherapy. The 5-year overall survival ranged from 69.2% to 93.5%, although lower survival rates were reported at earlier time points. We identified limitations in the published studies with respect to the cohort sizes and methodologies.

CONCLUSION
The included studies reported survival rates frequently exceeding 80%, although the ultimate number of studies was limited, pointing to the paucity of studies describing the outcomes of children with LGGs in LMICs. This study underscores the need for more robust data on outcomes in pediatric LGG.

OSI Number – 21785

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