IMPROVING OUTCOME OF MALIGNANT BRAIN-TUMORS IN VERY YOUNG-CHILDREN - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY IN FINLAND DURING 1975-93

Sixty-four children with malignant brain tumours diagnosed at less tha n 3 years of age were reported to the Finnish Cancer Registry from 197 5 to 1993. The survival rate has improved significantly: the 5-year su rvival rate was 26% for all children, 13% for children diagnosed durin g 1975-85 (n = 30) and 40% for those diagnosed during 1986-93 (n = 34) . Of the surviving children in 1986-93, 43% were categorized in Bloom' s group I or II and could lead active lives without major disabilities . The remaining children had severe neurologic late complications, suc h as hemiplegia, intractable seizures, and mental retardation.