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Radiotherapy for pediatric central nervous system tumors: a regional cancer centre experience
Glenn Bauman1, Barbara Fisher, Elizabeth Cairney
1Division of Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Centre (LRCC) and Department of Oncology, University of Western Ontario (UWO), London, Ontario, Canada. glenn.bauman@ircc.on.ca
Insights
Outcomes for pediatric patients with common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors treated at a regional cancer center were comparable to national results. This review analyzed survival data for various CNS tumor types in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors are a significant concern in pediatric oncology.
- Treatment outcomes for these rare and complex conditions require ongoing analysis and comparison across treatment centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze treatment outcomes for pediatric patients with common primary CNS tumors (excluding low-grade gliomas) treated at a regional cancer center.
- To compare these outcomes with data from other regional centers and contemporary North American cooperative group trials.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric patients treated with radiotherapy at the London Regional Cancer Center (LRCC) between 1980 and 2001.
- Analysis of tumor presentation, treatment details, and patient outcomes, including survival rates.
Main Results:
- Eighty-eight pediatric patients were included, with diagnoses including malignant glioma, medulloblastoma/PNET, brainstem glioma, ependymoma, and germ cell tumors.
- Five-year overall, progression-free, and cause-specific survival rates were 45%, 42%, and 50%, respectively.
- Specific survival data varied by tumor type, with medulloblastoma showing 5-year progression-free and overall survival of 60% and 59%.
Conclusions:
- Treatment outcomes for pediatric primary CNS tumors at the LRCC were comparable to those reported by other Canadian centers.
- Results align with contemporary findings from North American cooperative group trials, suggesting consistent care standards.
Introduction:
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.
Material And Methods:
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.
Results:
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%.
Conclusions:
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.
