Glioblastoma multiform in under 20 years age group: A ten years study in Kerman (1994-2003)

Introduction: Based on reviewing several large reports in literature, less than 3 percent of glioblastoma occurred in the first two decades of life. In the Asian reports glioblastoma is more common than western reports. As there was no similar report in Iran; this study was designed for evaluating the presence of glioblastoma cases in first two decades of life. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 cases that had undergone neurosurgical operation at Shahid Bahonar hospital (1994-2003) and the obtained specimens were pathologically approved as glioblastoma multiform were included. Information containing demography (age and sex), clinical data (main presenting symptoms; tumor location), radiological and laboratory findings was obtained from records in pathology and neurosurgery departments and the central records of the hospital. The results were analyzed by SPSS software and chi square statistical test. Results: Of 107 cases of glioblastoma; 8 (7.4%) were under 20 years age group and the male to female ratio was 3 to 1. Most of the tumors (87.5%) were supratentorial and the temporal and parietal lobes were most commonly involved main presenting symptoms included headache (87.5%); nausea or vomiting (37.5%) and seizures (25%). Neutrophilic leukocytosis was the persistent laboratory finding (62.5%). Conclusion: The results show that glioblastoma multiform in Iran is more prevalent in childhood than that in western communities. Clinical and Para clinical findings are the same as other studies. Difference of corrected age based values with other studies are not statistically significant, and it probably seems that increased incidence of glioblastoma in first two decades of life is probably related to population pyramid and a large number of young people in Iran.