Gliomatosis Cerebri Among Children and Adolescents: An Individual-Patient Data Meta-analysis of 182 Patients

Abstract

Background:

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare but fatal widespread infiltrating central nervous system tumor. We aimed to describe diagnostic and prognostic features of gliomatosis cerebri among children and adolescents.

Methods:

We conducted a systematic literature review for published case reports and case series on patients with histologically confirmed gliomatosis cerebri and extracted data on an individual patient level for those aged 0-18 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were fit for overall survival.

Results:

Following screening of 274 published studies, 182 gliomatosis cerebri patients (63% males) aged 0-18 years with individual-level data available were identified. The most common presenting symptoms were seizures (52%), focal motor deficits (36%), and headache (30%). Imaging showed bilateral hemisphere involvement in 60%, infratentorial infiltration in 39%, and a focal contrast-enhanced mass (type II gliomatosis cerebri) in 27% of cases. Anaplastic astrocytoma was the most common histologic subtype of pediatric gliomatosis cerebri, whereas MGMT promoter methylation, IDH1 mutations, and codeletion of 1p/19q were less common molecular aberrations, as compared to adult gliomatosis cerebri. In the multivariable analyses, age at diagnosis >4 years, extended central nervous system infiltration, coordination abnormalities, and cognitive decline were predictors of worse outcome. Conversely, IDH1 mutations were associated with prolonged overall survival. Chemotherapy and extended surgical resection were associated with improved outcome, whereas radiotherapy was not associated with overall survival and was inferior to chemotherapy alone.

Conclusion:

Gliomatosis cerebri among children and adolescents presents distinct histopathologic and molecular features compared to adults. However, similar associations of chemotherapy, and, when feasible, extended surgical resection, with favorable outcomes were noted among the 2 age groups.