Abstract
Background
Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are classified by anatomic location and the association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Children with OPGs face sequelae related to tumor location and treatment modalities. We assessed the prevalence of endocrine dysfunction in children with OPGs and compared outcomes between those with and without NF1.
Methods
We performed a retrospective medical record review of medical history, and clinical and laboratory data, of children diagnosed with OPGs (n = 59, 61% with NF1) during 1990–2020, followed at a tertiary endocrine clinic. Growth and puberty parameters and occurrence of endocrine dysfunction were evaluated.
Results
Isolated optic nerve involvement was higher among patients with than without NF1. Patients without NF1 were younger at OPG diagnosis and more often treated with debulking surgery or chemotherapy. At the last endocrine evaluation, patients without NF1 had comparable height SDS, higher BMI SDS, and a higher rate of endocrine complications (78.3% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.006). Younger age at diagnosis, older age at last evaluation, and certain OPG locations were associated with increased endocrine disorder incidence.
Conclusions
Endocrine dysfunction was more common in patients without NF1; this may be related to younger age at presentation, tumor locations, a greater progressive rate, and more aggressive treatments.
Impact
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The literature is sparse regarding sporadic OPGs, and the mean duration of follow-up is shorter than at our study.
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Our data show a higher rate of endocrine dysfunction in patients with OPGs than previously described.
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We also found a higher prevalence of endocrine dysfunctions among patients without compared to those with NF-1.
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A better understanding of the true prevalence of endocrine disabilities that may evolve along time can help in guiding physicians in the surveillance needed in patients with OPG.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to patients’ confidentiality but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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M.G.M.—substantial contributions to acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content, and final approval of the version to be published. M.Y.-G.—substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of data, revising the article critically for important intellectual content, and final approval of the version to be published. H.T., A.T., R.C., and M.P.—substantial contributions to acquisition of data, revising the article critically for important intellectual content, and final approval of the version to be published. S.S.—substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content, and final approval of the version to be published.
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Gil Margolis, M., Yackobovitz-Gavan, M., Toledano, H. et al. Optic pathway glioma and endocrine disorders in patients with and without NF1. Pediatr Res 93, 233–241 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02098-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-022-02098-5
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