Gamma Knife surgery for central neurocytomas

The optimal management of central neurocytoma (CN) remnants and recurrences is still not clear. To date no large series of patients treated with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for CNs has been published. For that reason the authors decided to combine data from 5 different centers so that they could analyze the largest population of patients treated with GKS for CN currently available.

Data obtained in 42 patients who were treated for CN with GKS before July 1, 2010, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The median prescribed dose was 13 Gy (range 11-25 Gy). The follow-up time in these patients ranged from 0.5 to 14.7 years (mean 6.1 years, median 4.9 years). Eleven patients were followed up for 5-10 years and 9 patients for more than 10 years. All patients were alive and well at the closing of the study except 1 patient, who died of injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

Two cases of local tumor progression and 2 cases of distant tumor recurrence occurred among the patient population, yielding 5- and 10-year tumor control rates of 91% and 81%, respectively. No permanent complications occurred. The findings were in line with results reported in earlier publications. Despite the high tumor control rate, enlargement of part of or the whole ventricular system was seen in 45% of patients.

The high tumor control rate and the low complication rate following GKS indicate that GKS is the preferred treatment for CN tumor remnants or recurrences following microsurgery. However, data from longer follow-up times in more patients are needed before this conclusion can be validated. The patients need to be closely monitored and potential hydrocephalus managed despite tumor control.