Rano prepoznavanje tumora središnjeg živčanog sustava

Central nervous system tumors in children represent the second most common group of malignant neoplasms after acute leukemias and are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric oncology population. It is a heterogeneous group of tumors that differ in histological, molecular, and clinical features. The clinical presentation is often nonspecific and depends on the child's age and the localization of the tumor. The most common symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, gait and coordination disorders, epileptic seizures, visual disturbances, and cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. In infancy, macrocephaly may be the first and only sign of intracranial pathology. Children with neurocutaneous syndromes, especially neurofibromatosis type 1 and tuberous sclerosis, have a significantly increased risk of developing central nervous system tumors, including optic pathway gliomas and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. Recognition of these syndromes allows for timely monitoring and early diagnosis of potential complications. Timely recognition of early symptoms and signs is crucial for referring the child for neuroradiological diagnostic work-up. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice in the evaluation of intracranial lesions due to its high resolution and ability to distinguish parenchymal structures. Early diagnosis allows for optimal planning of a multimodal therapeutic approach, including surgical, oncological, and radiotherapy treatment, which significantly improves outcomes and reduces the risk of permanent neurological damage.