Management of choroid plexus tumours: A comprehensive study from a tertiary hospital

Management of Choroid Plexus Tumors and the Benefit of Preoperative Embolization in Pediatric Patients: Report of 46 Cases from a Single Institution

OBJECTIVE

Optimal choroid plexus tumor (CPT) treatment involves gross total resection; however, intraoperative hemorrhage risk remains significant given tumor vascularity. This study describes pediatric CPT management and identifies patients most likely to benefit from preoperative embolization.

METHODS

CPTs resected from 1997 to 2021 were included. The characteristics of embolized patients were compared to nonembolized patients; nonembolized patients were further stratified based on open vascular control-pedicle feeder ligation versus no pedicle ligation prior to tumor debulking. Statistical analyses identified factors associated with estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion, length of stay, and complications.

RESULTS

Among the 46 CPT cases identified, 98% achieved gross total resection, and 15% received embolization. Embolized patients were younger, smaller, and had larger tumors compared to nonembolized patients (median: 0.8 vs. 2.1 years; 9.3 vs. 14.4 kg; 91.08 vs. 5.5 cm3). Transfused patients were similarly younger and smaller (P < 0.05) than nontransfused patients. Among nonembolized patients, open vascular control was achieved in smaller tumors (<13 cm3) with significantly lower EBL (P = 0.002). Higher EBL was observed in patients with larger tumors, hydrocephalus, transependymal edema, vomiting, lethargy, and developmental regression (all P < 0.05). Patients with lethargy had longer hospital stays and a higher likelihood of postoperative complications (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in complication rates between the embolization and nonembolization groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite higher surgical risk profiles, embolized patients had similar complication rates and postoperative hydrocephalus management as nonembolized patients. Embolization was particularly beneficial in patients at high risk for surgical morbidity, such as those <2 years, weighing <10 kg, and with a tumor volume >15 cm3.

Molecular heterogeneity of pediatric choroid plexus carcinomas determines the distinctions in clinical course and prognosis

BACKGROUND

Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPCs) are rare aggressive pediatric tumors of the brain with no treatment standards. Genetic profiling of CPCs is often confined to possible association with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, though only about a half of CPCs develop from syndromic predispositions. Whole-chromosome gains and losses typical of CPCs reflect genomic instability of these tumors, but only partially explain the aggressive clinical course.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 25 pediatric patients with CPC, receiving treatment between January 2009 and June 2022. Molecular-genetic testing was performed for 20 cases with available tumor tissue and encompassed mutational status, chromosomal aberrations, and gene expression profiles. We analyzed several factors presumably influencing the outcomes, including molecular profiles and clinical parameters. The median follow-up constituted 5.2 years (absolute range 2.8-12.6 years).

RESULTS

All studied CPCs had smooth mutational profiles with the only recurrent event being TP53 variants, either germline or somatic, encountered in 13 cases. Unbalanced whole-chromosome aberrations, 
notably multiple monosomies, were highly typical. In 7 tumors, chromosome losses were combined with complex genomic rearrangements: segmental gains and losses or signs of chromothripsis. This phenomenon was associated with extremely low 5-year survival: 20.0 ± 17.9% vs 85.7 ± 13.2%; P = .009. Transcriptomically, the cohort split into 2 polar clusters Ped_CPC1 and Ped_CPC2 differing by survival: 31.3 ± 17.8% vs 100%; P = .012.

CONCLUSION

CPCs split into at least 2 molecular subtypes distinguished both genomically and transcriptomically. Clusterization of the tumors into Ped_CPC1 and Ped_CPC2 significantly correlates with survival. The distinction may prove relevant in clinical trials for dedicated and patient-oriented optimization of clinical protocols for these rare tumors.

Final results of the Choroid Plexus Tumor study CPT-SIOP-2000

Introduction

Standards for chemotherapy against choroid plexus tumors (CPT) have not yet been established.

Methods

CPT-SIOP-2000 (NCT00500890) was an international registry for all CPT nesting a chemotherapy randomization for high-risk CPT with Carboplatin/Etoposide/Vincristine (CarbEV) versus Cyclophosphamide/Etoposide/Vincristine (CycEV). Patients older than three years were recommended to receive irradiation: focal fields for non-metastatic CPC, incompletely resected atypical choroid plexus papilloma (APP) or metastatic choroid plexus papilloma (CPP); craniospinal fields for metastatic CPC/APP and non-responsive CPC. High risk was defined as choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), incompletely resected APP, and all metastatic CPT. From 2000 until 2010, 158 CPT patients from 23 countries were enrolled.

Results

For randomized CPC, the 5/10 year progression free survival (PFS) of patients on CarbEV (n = 20) were 62%/47%, respectively, compared to 27%/18%, on CycEV (n = 15), (intention-to-treat, HR 2.6, p = 0.032). Within the registry, histological grading was the most influential prognostic factor: for CPP (n = 55) the 5/10 year overall survival (OS) and the event free survival (EFS) probabilities were 100%/97% and 92%/92%, respectively; for APP (n = 49) 96%/96% and 76%/76%, respectively; and for CPC (n = 54) 65%/51% and 41%/39%, respectively. Without irradiation, 12 out of 33 patients with CPC younger than three years were alive for a median of 8.52 years. Extent of surgery and metastases were not independent prognosticators.

Conclusions

Chemotherapy for Choroid Plexus Carcinoma is feasible and effective. CarbEV is superior to CycEV. A subset of CPC can be cured without irradiation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03942-0.