Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
10:48
PET and MRI Guided Irradiation of a Glioblastoma Rat Model Using a Micro-irradiator
Published on: December 28, 2017
10.2K
Re-irradiation for Recurrent Primary Brain Tumors
Carsten Nieder1,2, Nicolaus H Andratschke3, Anca L Grosu4
1Department of Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway carsten.nieder@nlsh.no.
Anticancer Research
|November 1, 2016
Summary
Re-irradiation of brain tumors is becoming more common due to improved radiation technology. While data is limited, preliminary recommendations for dose and fractionation can guide this approach for recurrent brain tumors.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Historically, caution surrounded re-irradiation of brain tumors due to central nervous system (CNS) toxicity risks.
- Limited prospective data exists for re-irradiation strategies.
- Concerns include late CNS toxicity, particularly radiation necrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review published trials on brain tumor re-irradiation.
- To evaluate clinical outcomes after re-irradiation for various brain tumor types.
- To inform preliminary recommendations for re-irradiation dose/fractionation.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published clinical trials.
- Analysis of patient data from studies reporting re-irradiation outcomes.
- Focus on diverse brain tumor histologies.
Main Results:
- Data primarily available for glioblastoma, anaplastic glioma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and meningioma.
- Randomized studies are scarce.
- Radiotherapy efficacy is histology-dependent, similar to first-line treatments.
Conclusions:
- Re-irradiation for brain tumors is increasingly considered.
- Advancements in radiation technology enable precise targeting.
- Further research is needed, especially in combination with systemic therapies.
