Pilocytic astrocytoma in preschoolers: case report and discussion of prognosis due to late diagnosis

To report a case of pilocytic astrocytoma of late diagnosis in a preschool child. Results: PA is considered a Grade I tumor on the malignancy scale with low proliferative potential. It has a good prognosis and there is a possibility of cure with complete resection of the tumor. Survival can reach a rate of 94% in 10 years. The diagnostic challenge is great and sometimes late, as the report presented. 6-year-old female patient, with a history of headache that evolved for two years, associated with dizziness, photophobia and phonophobia, tremors and postural imbalance, and unable to accompany other children in collective activities in the school environment, with several preliminary diagnoses of migraine or sinusopathy, which delayed the definitive diagnosis. Finally, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was performed, which found an expansive lesion in the posterior fossa topography. Microsurgery underwent resection of the intracranial tumor and posterior fossa cranioplasty, with resection of about 80% of the lesion and external ventricular drain possible. Due to the residual injury, he is undergoing cancer treatment with chemotherapy. Final consideration: Headache is the main symptom of neoplasms of the central nervous system, and is also very recurrent in pediatrics. However, it rarely refers to brain tumors. Primary care physicians and pediatricians must be aware of the main warning signs so that they can make an earlier diagnosis and quickly refer children with cancer to specialized centers.