The clinical features and surgical outcomes of pediatric patients with primary spinal cord tumor

Background: Primary spinal cord tumors (PSCTs) in pediatric patients are rare, with a reported overall incidence rate of 1-2.6 per one million children. We reviewed our experience of surgically treated 27 pediatric patients with PSCT and discussed the clinical features, radiological findings, surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors. Methods Between March 1999 and March 2010, a total of 27 pediatric patients with PSCT were surgically treated in a single institution. We retrospectively analyzed their data. Results There were 13 females and 14 males, and their ages ranged from 6 months to 19 years (mean age, 12.1 years). The most common presenting symptom was motor weakness, and the histologic type of the tumors were mainly schwannoma, astrocytoma, and ependymoma. The tumor was completely resected in 17 patients, subtotally resected in 7 patients, and partial resection or biopsy was performed in 3 patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 9 patients, and radiotherapy in 12 patients, respectively. The average follow-up period was 33.5 months (1.17-129). Five patients experienced the progression of disease, and three of them expired. The mean time for disease progression was 19.0 months (4.5-48.7). Conclusions PSCT in pediatric patients can be surgically removed with an acceptable low surgical morbidity. Progression-free survival was found to be related to the grade of tumor and the extent of tumor resection. Early diagnosis and treatment anticipate good functional neurologic outcome.