Etoposide treatment in recurrent medulloblastoma

Five consecutive patients with recurrent medulloblastoma received etoposide 120 mg/m2 for 5 to 7 days at 2 to 4-week intervals. Three patients with neuroaxis dissemination received additional intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside and prednisone. Toxicity consisted of alopecia and mild neutropenia. Complete response was registered in two patients, partial response in one. Median survival was 19 months with the 3 responders living 6, 30 and 60+ months. Etoposide seems to be an active agent in medulloblastoma.