Outcome And Lag Time Between the Onset of Symptoms and Initiation of Treatment in Infra-Tentorial Tumors in Pediatrics

Abstract

Objective: To measure the outcome and lag-time from onset of symptoms till initiation of treatment in infra-tentorial tumors in children in resource limited setting.

Methodology: This Descriptive observational study was done at the Department of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology at CH&UCH Lahore from August 2021 to February 2022. Sixty-four newly diagnosed patients of infra-tentorial tumors were enrolled by using non-probability, consecutive sampling technique. The lag-time from onset of symptoms till initiation of treatment and the outcome of treatment was noted in terms of Cure, Residual, or Palliation in the proforma.

Results: In this study, the mean age of children was 7.14 ± 3.76 years. Out of 64 children, 35 (54.7%) were males and 29 (45.3%) females. Lag time 1 (patient interval) was <2 weeks in 43 (67.2%) cases, and 2-4 weeks in 20 (31.3%) cases. Lag time 2 (referred interval) was noted as <1 Month in 19 (29.7%) cases, and <2 Months in 26 (40.6%) cases. Lag time 3 (treatment interval) was noted in <1 Month in 2 (3.1%) cases, and <2 Months in 6 (9.4%) cases, but in 48 (75.0%) cases lag time 3 was not applicable. Out of 64 cases, cure with GTR was noted in 5 (7.8%) cases, residual tumor in 21 (32.8%) and palliation in 37 (57.8%) cases.

Conclusion:

Lag time in initial presentation to referral for diagnosis and initiation of treatment has an effect on the outcome of patients with infratentorial tumors.

Key words: lag time, infra-tentorial tumors, Pediatrics