Intrathoracic masses in children and adolescents: a single tertiary pediatric institution experience.
- Author:
May Priscilla Villarin Cero
;
Maria Cherry Añana
;
Beatriz P. Gepte
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
pediatric mediastinal mass
- MeSH:
leukemia;
lymphoma
- From:
The Philippine Children’s Medical Center Journal
2023;19(1):14-26
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:The Cancer and Hematology Division of the PCMC receives an average of 24
cases of pediatric intrathoracic masses annually. Comprehensive data on the demographic status,
clinical profile, management, and outcome are still not available. This study aims to determine the
clinical features, diagnosis, management and outcome of children and adolescents with intrathoracic
masses from 2017 to 2019.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:Descriptive study design was utilized. Data were collected by
doing a chart review. Possible associations between the clinical features and outcome were described.
RESULTS:Sixty-eight (68) cases were referred from January 2017 to December 2019. Mean age at
diagnosis is 8.8 years with a 2.4:1 male to female ratio. Severe wasting was seen in 21%. All subjects were symptomatic at presentation, 50% with respiratory compromise. Anterior mediastinal lesions are observed at 82% of cases. Elevated LDH was seen in 50% of the patients. Malignant hematologic lesions are the most common etiology. Steroid pretreatment was given in 40% of patients.
Only a small percentage (<20%) underwent definitive treatment. Patients were symptomatic for 18
days on average before consult. It took an average of 18 days for a case to be diagnosed definitively,
and 10 days from the diagnosis to start of directed treatment. Mortality rate was high at 57.4%
CONCLUSION:Patients with intrathoracic mass and malnutrition are 1.4x more likely to die.
Diagnosis is the most significant factor associated with death. Observed data can be used as basis to
formulate protocols which can streamline the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in these patients.
- Full text:19(1)_2.pdf
