From Symptom to Diagnosis-The Prediagnostic Symptomatic Interval of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors in Austria

BACKGROUND: Children with central nervous system (CNS) tumours may present with a multitude of symptoms, ranging from elevated intracranial pressure to focal neurological deficit. In everyday practice, some signs may be misleading, thereby causing prolonged prediagnostic symptomatic intervals. Prediagnostic symptomatic intervals are longer for pediatric brain tumors than for other childhood malignancies. This study evaluated prediagnostic symptomatic intervals and parental and diagnostic intervals for pediatric patients with CNS tumours in Austria. It also considered socioeconomic factors. METHODS: Patients <= 19 years of age treated at the Medical University of Vienna and diagnosed during the years 2008 to 2013 were included. Patients diagnosed incidentally or by screening were excluded. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve consecutive patients were included in the study. They reflected the expected spectrum of CNS tumors. Patients presented with a median of five symptoms at diagnosis, most frequently with signs of elevated intracranial pressure. The median prediagnostic symptomatic interval was 60 days (0 days to seven years), the median parental interval was 30 days (0 days to 6.7 years), and the median diagnostic interval was three days (0 days to 6.5 years). In spinal tumors alone (n = 7), the median prediagnostic symptomatic interval was 70 days (ten days to seven years), and three of seven patients had a prediagnostic symptomatic interval longer than 320 days. Young age, higher tumor grade, and ataxia were associated with a shorter prediagnostic symptomatic interval. Localization in the supratentorial midline, histology of craniopharyngioma, and endocrine symptoms prolonged the prediagnostic symptomatic interval. There was a clear trend for longer prediagnostic symptomatic interval in non-native speakers. CONCLUSIONS: Results are comparable to other industrialized countries. However, long delays in diagnosis of central nervous system tumors still occur, urging increased awareness.