Moderator: Dr Alfred Odhiambo

Speakers & Topics:

• Mr David L. Oluoch‑Olunya: Surgical Management of Paediatric Brain Tumours
• Dr Michael Magoha: Endocrinological Management of Paediatric Brain Tumours
• Dr Ahmed Korir: Radiation Therapy in Paediatric Brain Tumours

Mr. David Oluoch-Olunya presentation summary
– Over 25 years, Kenya has moved from fragmented care to growing multidisciplinary tumour boards in urban centres.
– Key challenges remain: late diagnosis, radiotherapy access disparities, and poor survivorship follow-up.
– Regional initiatives like the Brain Tumor Consortium of Africa (BTCoA) aim to standardize care and improve data sharing.
– Priorities: expand MDT care to counties, national paediatric tumour registry, survivorship and rehab programs.
– Kenya has made major strides, but gaps persist in early detection, diagnostics, and referral systems.

Dr Ahmed Komen’s presentation summary

– RT use depends on age, tumour type/location, other treatments, and disease extent.
– Modern RT techniques include 2D, 3DCRT, IMRT, VMAT, and proton therapy (where available).
– RT aims: radical (curative) or palliative (symptom relief).
– RT delivery to children requires precise planning and often sedation or anaesthesia.
– Late effects of RT: cognitive decline, growth delay, hearing loss, hormonal dysfunction, secondary cancers.
– Younger age (<7 yrs) and higher doses correlate with greater neurocognitive risks.
– Proton therapy offers tissue-sparing benefits but has limited availability in LMICs.