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BACKGROUND Every year in Armenia we have approximately 80–90 new pediatric cancer cases from which 10–15 are brain tumors (PBT). Here we try to summarize the current state of pediatric neuro-oncology in Armenia. DISCUSSION: In Armenia pediatric neuro-oncology is still in its first steps. Surgical treatment of PBTs is performed only in one medical center – “Sourb Astvatsamayr” Medical Center, with 7 practicing pediatric neurosurgeons. Radiation therapy service with two linear accelerators is located at the “National Oncology Center”, however there are no dedicated pediatric radiation neuro-oncologists, and 2 specialists are treating pediatric tumors. Chemotherapy for all pediatric cancers currently is performed at the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, established in February 2019 as a result of merging of all pediatric oncology units in the country. Among the 11 practicing pediatric hematologist/oncologists no one is dedicated specifically to PBTs. Since September 2017 we have started discussing all PBT cases (up to now 18 cases) through the telemedicine with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH). In Sept 2019 neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team was created with the involvement of local and foreign specialists. On a weekly basis the multidisciplinary team discusses all new and problematic cases. The team also concentrates on adaptation of diagnostic and treatment guidelines for pediatric CNS tumors, creation of educational materials for different stakeholders, and identification of current problems and their possible solutions. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge this is the first report summarizing the current state of pediatric neuro-oncology in Armenia.

BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the second most common malignant neoplasms among children worldwide. The current paper aims to analyze the situation in pediatric neuro-oncology in Armenia from the neurosurgical perspective. METHODS We have collected data of pediatric patients with CNS tumors treated in the Neurosurgery department of “Surb Astvasamayr” Medical Center from 01.01.2010 till 01.12.2019. Incidence by gender, age at diagnosis, and histopathology results were calculated. Survival rates were calculated based on the follow-up results performed until 30.12.2019. RESULTS Hospital-based data showed that during the previous 10 years 47 patients with CNS tumors received neurosurgical treatment in the unit, among them 66% were females. 38.3%, 31.9% and 29.8% of diagnosed patients were aged 0–4, 5–9, and 10–18 respectively. In 41 cases, the disease was not disseminated at diagnosis. The most common observed malignancies were low-grade gliomas (21.3%) and embryonal tumors (19.1%), followed by high-grade gliomas (14.9%) and ependymal tumors (8.5%). Follow-up information only for 33 patients is available. From them, 14 are dead and 19 alive. Survival rates in most common groups were 62.5%, 80%, 50%, and 50% respectively. The median follow-up time was 18 months (range 1–113 months). CONCLUSION Similar to the data reported in the literature, low-grade gliomas, and embryonal tumors are the most frequent pediatric CNS tumors in Armenia. On the other hand, the pediatric CNS tumor survival rates are lower compared to those reported in developed countries.