MDB-10. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF MEDULLOBLASTOMA IN MOROCCO: A 2-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Abstract Medulloblastoma is a malignant, invasive embryonal tumor of the central nervous system. This pathology is the leading malignancy in children, accounting for 30% of central nervous system pediatric tumors. This study aimed to present the epidemiological profile of medulloblastoma in Morocco. It was a retrospective study including all children aged 0 to 16 years and diagnosed with medulloblastoma at the pediatric hematology-oncology department of the children’s hospital in Rabat (Morocco) over two years, from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. A total of 12 patients were included in the study, 7 boys and 5 girls (M/F ratio 1.4). The mean age was 9 ± 3 years. The majority (91.7%) of children were over 5 years of age. Only one child was aged 18 months. over half of the patients were from a rural areas. Most cases were living over 30 Km from the center. Among them, 40% were more than 150 km. A low socio-economic level was reported by 75% of the families. Two children were born to consanguineous parents. A familial cancer history was noted in 41.7% of patients. Clinical symptoms were dominated by headache (83.3%) and vomiting (66.7%). Regarding treatment, two patients were treated with surgery and seven with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. During the period of study, there were no cases of death. A good outcome was noted in 91.7% of patients. Only one child received palliative care. Childhood cancer in general, and medulloblastoma in particular, is on the rise in Morocco. Given the scarcity of publications on this type of cancer in our country, a national registry is necessary for the monitoring and appropriate management of this disease.