Barriers and Clinical Factors Influencing Outcomes of Older Children with Medulloblastoma in a Resource Limited Setting - Peru

Abstract

Background: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. We aim to determine the survival in children with medulloblastoma at the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) between 1997 to 2013 in Peru, a low-middle income country at the time of this analysis. We also describe the barriers and factors influencing outcomes. Methods: Between 1997-2013, data from 103 children older than 3 years with medulloblastoma were analyzed. Two groups of treatment were identified 1997 – 2008 and 2009 – 2013. Event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were obtained using Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors by univariate analysis (log-rank test). A survey was created to identify factors that may have influenced outcome. Results: Eighty-nine patients were included; median age was 8.1 years (range: 2.9-13.9 years). Surgical resection was complete in 39 patients. The five-year OS was 63% (95% CI: 53 – 74%) while EFS was 59% (95% CI: 49 – 71%). The variables adversely affecting survival were: anaplastic histology [compared to desmoplastic; OS: HR=3.5, p=0.03; EFS: HR=3.4, p=0.03], metastasis [OS: HR=3.4, p=0.01; EFS: HR=4.4, p=0.003], and treatment post-2008 [OS: HR=2.5, p=0.01; EFS: HR=2.5; p=0.01]. Conclusions: Outcomes for Medulloblastoma at INEN are low compared with high- income countries (HIC). Univariate analysis demonstrated that histological sub-type, metastasis at diagnosis, and treatment post-2008 all negatively affected outcomes in our study. The importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in the care of children with pediatric brain tumors as well as partnerships with loco-regional groups and colleagues in HIC is vastly beneficial.