Glioneuronal tumors in childhood - Before and after surgery. A long-term follow-up study

Aim: To give a detailed description of the long-term outcome of a cohort of children with glioneuronal tumors regarding pre-and postsurgical factors, including "dual" and "double" pathology, seizure freedom, and psychosocial outcome. Methods: During a fifteen-year period (1995-2009), all patients (age 0-17.99 years) with a glioneuronal brain tumor diagnosed and treated at Uppsala University Children's Hospital were identified from the National Brain Tumor Registry and the National Epilepsy Surgery Registry. Hospital medical records were reviewed and neuroradiological and neuropathological findings were re-evaluated. A cross-sectional long-term follow-up prospective evaluation, including an interview, neurologic examination, and electroencephalogram, was accomplished in patients accepting participants in the study. Results: A total of 25 out of 28 (89%) eligible patientswere included. The M: F ratiowas 1.5: 1. Mean follow-up time after surgery was 12.1 years (range 5.0-19.3). Twenty patients were adults (N18 years) at follow-up. Seizure freedomwas achieved in 64%. Gross total resection (GTR) was the only preoperative factor significantly correlating to seizure freedom (p= 0.027). Thirty-eight percent were at some time postoperatively admitted for a psychiatric evaluation. There was a trend towards both higher educational level and employment status in adults who became seizure free. Conclusion: Long-termoutcome is good regarding seizure freedom if GTR can be achieved, but late seizure recurrence can occur. "Dual" and "double" pathology is uncommon and does not influence seizure outcome. Obtaining seizure freedomseems to be important for psychosocial outcome, but there is a risk for psychiatric comorbidities and long-term follow-up by a multi-professional team is advisable. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.