Outcome and prognostic features in pediatric gliomas

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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pediatric gliomas are rare and heterogeneous tumors. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database allows a large‐scale analysis of the clinical characteristics and prognostic features of these tumors. METHODS: The authors analyzed available SEER data on 6212 patients younger than 20 years at diagnosis of glioma (1973‐2005), according to 4 age categories: P < .0001) and were less likely to undergo gross total resection (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The survival of children with gliomas is influenced by histologic subtype, age, and extent of resection. Despite its limitations, the SEER database provides a useful tool for studies of rare tumors such as pediatric gliomas. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.