Epidemiology and outcomes of primary pediatric lung malignancies: Updates from the SEER database

Am J Surg. 2021 Oct;222(4):861-866. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.01.037. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

Abstract

Background: Primary pediatric lung malignancies are rare tumors. We provide an updated analysis of the epidemiology and prognosis of these tumors since the last SEER series published in 2009.

Methods: The SEER 18 database from 1975 to 2016 was analyzed for patients ages 0-19 years with primary lung and/or bronchus neoplasms.

Results: 348 patients met inclusion criteria. The majority were white and ≥12 years of age. The most common histologies were neuroendocrine (41.4%) and blastoma (16.4%). 75.4% of patients had local-regional disease and 81.4% underwent surgery. Significant differences between histologies were seen for age, year at diagnosis, tumor laterality and location, stage, and treatment type. Median survival was 36.6 years (95% CI 33.3-37.4). Blastoma (HR 3.47) and squamous cell (HR 6.26) carried a significantly higher risk of death than neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis.

Conclusion: Primary pediatric lung malignancies are rare, long-term survival is favorable but histology-dependent. Surgery continues to be an important treatment modality.

Keywords: Lung tumors; Pediatric; SEER database.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • SEER Program
  • Survival Rate
  • United States / epidemiology