GASTROINTESTINAL TUMORS IN CHILDREN - AN ANALYSIS OF 36 CASES

Background: Gastrointestinal tumors are relatively uncommon in infants and children, and the histologic diagnoses differ from those seen in an adult practice. Furthermore, the clinical presentation of such tumo rs is quite variable. Methods: We reviewed the records of 39 pediatric patients who had been treated for tumors of the alimentary tract at o ur hospital over the past 20 years. The symptoms. physical findings, t reatments, and outcomes are tabulated and discussed. Results: Non-Hodg kin's lymphoma was the predominant diagnosis. It was found in 22 child ren, and the survival rate was 60%. Other malignant tumors found in th is pediatric series included colorectal carcinoma in four patients and gastric leiomyosarcoma in one. The outcomes of these patients were po or; four of the children have died, and one girl remains alive with ex tensive disease. Benign lesions included neurogenic tumors (n = 5), in flammatory pseudotumors (n = 3), hemangiomas (n = 2), teratoma and car cinoid (n = 1 each). These tumors were ultimately cured, with one exce ption, after surgical resection. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal tumors in children cover a broad spectrum of benign and malignant varieties a nd stem from conditions that differ significantly from those observed in adults. While treatment varies according to diagnosis, most patient s respond best to complete resection of the primary tumor.