Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors: State-of-the-Art and Debated Aspects

Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are a dramatic health problem due to their high morbidity and mortality in all ages. In the pediatric population, brain tumors constitute the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide each year, accounting approximately for 25% of childhood cancers. Although there has been a moderate increase in survival rates for children with CNS tumors over the past decades, CNS tumors still remain the second leading cause of cancer death in children less than 20 years of age. In addition, the morbidity associated with CNS tumors and their treatment may be significant in terms of physical deficits as well as neuropsychological and neuroendocrine sequelae. Optimizing the treatment of childhood CNS tumors, therefore, remains a tremendously challenging task, requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving many pediatric specialists as well as the support of molecular biologists and pharmacologists.

The aim of this Research Topic is to examine the innovative aspects of diagnosis and treatment of children with CNS tumors, focusing on the debated aspects.

This Research Topic will cover all the aspects of pediatrics central nervous system tumors. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles focusing on: (i) advancing new concepts in neurosurgical approach, (ii) neuroradiological novelty; (iii) new potential targeted therapies (iv) clinical trials, radiotherapy and proton beam therapy and (v) quality of life during and after treatment. We welcome the submission of Review articles on the use of narrative medicine in pediatric neuro-oncology within this Research Topic. We aim to focus on seven specific categories of tumors: 1. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma; 2. High grade glioma; 3. Low grade glioma; 4. Medulloblastoma; 5. Ependymoma; 6. Craniopharyngioma and 7. Rare tumors. Translational papers covering different tumors and/or therapeutic strategies will be preferred.