PEDIATRIC BRAIN-TUMORS IN A 10-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1986 TO 1995 IN YAMAGUCHI PREFECTURE - EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMPARISON WITH ADULT BRAIN-TUMORS

The epidemiology of pediatric brain tumor was studied in a 10-year per iod from 1986 to 1995 in Yamaguchi prefecture. The total number of ped iatric brain tumors was 83, and the incidence was 2.5/100,000/year, wh ich did not change during the period. The sign most frequently seen wa s intracranial hypertension, whereas focal signs were less frequent. A lthough asymptomatic cases increased in this period, outcomes did not improve. Significant differences between pediatric and adult cases wer e the percentage of male patients (70.0 vs. 43.7%), tumor location on the midline (59.0 vs, 20.8%) and tumor location in the posterior fossa (44.6 vs. 26.3%). The midline location of many pediatric brain tumors results in the absence of focal signs, which delays the diagnosis and makes surgery difficult.