Department of Onco-Hematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00146 Rome, Italy
Andrea Carai
Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00146 Rome, Italy
Angela Mastronuzzi
Department of Onco-Hematology and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (IRCCS), Piazza Sant’Onofrio 4, 00146 Rome, Italy
Brain tumors in infants including those diagnosed in fetal age, newborns and under a year old represent less than 10% of pediatric nervous system tumors and present differently when compared with older children in terms of clinical traits, location and histology. The most frequent clinical finding is a macrocephaly but non-specific symptoms can also be associated. The prognosis is usually poor and depends on several factors. Surgery continues to be the main option in terms of therapeutic strategies whereas the role of chemotherapy is not yet well defined and radiotherapy is exceptionally undertaken. In view of this situation, a molecular characterization could assist in providing therapeutic options for these tumors. This review highlights the recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in infants with a particular focus on the molecular landscape and future clinical applications.
