Management and outcome of children and adolescents with non-medulloblastoma CNS embryonal tumors in Spain: room for improvement in standards of care

Non-medulloblastoma CNS embryonal tumors (former PNET/Pineoblastomas) are aggressive malignancies with poor outcome that have been historically treated with medulloblastoma protocols. The purpose of this study is to present a tumor-specific, real-world data cohort of patients with CNS-PNET/PB to analyze quality indicators that can be implemented to improve the outcome of these patients. Patients 0–21 years with CNS-PNET treated in eight large institutions were included. Baseline characteristics, treatment and outcome [progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS respectively)] were analyzed. From 2005 to 2014, 43 patients fulfilled entry criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 3.6 years (range 0.0–14.7). Histology was pineoblastoma (9%), ependymoblastoma (5%), ETANTR (7%) and PNET (77%). Median duration of the main symptom was 2 weeks (range 0–12). At diagnosis, 28% presented with metastatic disease. Seventeen different protocols were used on frontline treatment; 44% had gross total resection, 42% craniospinal radiotherapy, 86% chemotherapy, and 33% autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). Median follow-up for survivors was 3.5 years (range 1.7–9.3). 3-year PFS was 31.9% (95% CI 17–47%) and OS 35.1% (95% CI 20–50%). Age, extent of resection and radiotherapy were prognostic of PFS and OS in univariate analysis (p < 0.05). Our series shows a dismal outcome for CNS-PNET, especially when compared to patients included in clinical trials. Establishing a common national strategy, implementing referral circuits and collaboration networks, and incorporating new molecular knowledge into routine clinical practice are accessible measures that can improve the outcome of these patients.