Radiotherapy for pediatric central nervous system tumors: a regional cancer centre experience.

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to analyze outcomes for pediatric patients treated for more common (non-low grade glioma) primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors at a Regional (tertiary) Cancer Center. Comparison to reported results from other regional centres and results from the contemporary literature were made. The records of pediatric patients treated with radiotherapy at the London Regional Cancer Center (LRCC) for more common (non-low grade glioma) primary CNS tumors between 1980 and 2001 were reviewed. Details regarding tumor presentation, treatment and outcome were analyzed. Eighty-eight patients were eligible for the review. Twenty-nine patients with malignant glioma, 37 patients with medulloblastoma or primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), 15 patients with brainstem glioma, 4 with ependymoma and 3 with germ cell tumors were treated during this time period. Average follow-up for the group was 5 years (range 4 months to 19 years). Five-year overall, progression free and cause specific survival were 45, 42 and 50%, respectively. For patients with malignant glioma median progression free and overall survival was 20 and 29 months. For patients with brainstem glioma median progression free and overall survival was 9 and 13 months. For medulloblastoma, 5-year progression free, and overall survival was 60 and 59%. RESULTS of this retrospective review of pediatric patients treated at a regional cancer center for primary CNS tumors (other than low grade glioma) were comparable to contemporary results reported by other Canadian centers and North American co-operative group trials.