Abstract
A systematic literature review was carried out to evaluate best existing evidence
on prognostic factors for progression of childhood optic pathway glioma. Databases
were searched for relevant articles and articles selected independently by two authors.
Information about study design, population, treatment, outcome and prognostic analysis
were abstracted and the quality of each article was assessed. A total of 23 articles
met the inclusion criteria. Many studies had important methodological limitations,
regarding external and internal validity. Eleven studies evaluated possible prognostic
factors in a multivariate analysis. Three high-quality studies indicated age < 1 year as an independent prognostic factor for a worse progression-free survival.
Three studies with multivariate analysis, including one high-quality study, found
that children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) have a better progression-free
survival than those without NF-1. Two studies with multivariate analysis found tumour
site to be a prognostic factor, both with some methodological limitations. In conclusion,
this systematic review demonstrates that only a few of the prognostic factors proposed
have been proven to be clinically relevant. Age < 1 year is a clear and independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival.
Other prognostic factors, such as NF-1, tumour site and others, are suggested, but
are still without solid evidence and need further high-quality studies to be clearly
proven.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 10,
2006
Received:
January 4,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
