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Radiation therapy of tumors of the central nervous system in childhood
Author(s) -
Sheline Glenn E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197503)35:3+<957::aid-cncr2820350717>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , central nervous system , medulloblastoma , quality of life (healthcare) , oncology , surgery , pathology , nursing
The results of radiation therapy for CNS tumors of childhood are presented and discussed according to histologic type. In this material the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rates were about 35% for medulloblastomas, 48% for the hypo‐thalamic and brain stem tumors, 86% for the astrocytomas, about 80% for low‐grade ependymomas, and 57% for germinomas. Complications or CNS injury from irradiation were rare and the quality of life in survivors was generally good. Current methods of radiation therapy may possibly improve these results. Tumors of the CNS in children do not necessarily carry a hopeless prognosis; aggressive therapy is indicated.