This study is a retrospective comparative analysis. Patients with optic nerve glioma and pilocytic astrocytoma were identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry covering a 42-year period using standardised codes. The following data was extracted: basic demographics, method of diagnosis (biopsy or radiologically), laterality, treatment type (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy), outcome (alive or cause of death). A total of 1158 were identified, of which 89.9% were categorised as either glioma or pilocytic astrocytoma. Being older than 20 years, surgical and radiation treatment and diagnosis by biopsy were significantly associated with mortality related to the tumour. Most cases were younger than 20-years-old with low grade tumours. The authors noted that specific histropathology diagnoses were made without biopsy. The authors speculate the failure to correctly classify and collect key information on tumour behaviour, genetic and molecular factors contributed to increased mortality in those diagnosed without biopsy. The authors report numerous limitations with the registry which are discussed in other papers, but specifically noted that the optic nerve is included with chiasm and tract therefore it was not possible to distinguish between true optic nerve glioma. The recommendation of the study is for tumour registries to amend the data collection to be more anatomically specific for the anterior visual pathway and key relevant biomarkers.
Using a tumour registry to investigate optic nerve gliomas
Reviewed by Lauren Hepworth
Gliomas of the optic nerve: A SEER-based epidemiologic study.
CONTRIBUTOR
Lauren R Hepworth
University of Liverpool; Honorary Stroke Specialist Clinical Orthoptist, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust; St Helen’s and Knowsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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