Outcomes of pediatric low-grade gliomas treated with radiation therapy: a single-institution study

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2014 Aug;36(6):e366-70. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000142.

Abstract

Radiation therapy is often considered the treatment of choice for low-grade gliomas. However, given the long-term effects of radiation on the developing brain, the appropriate use of radiation therapy in pediatric patients remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) of pediatric low-grade glioma patients treated with radiation therapy. Data were obtained through a retrospective chart review of patients treated between 1991 and 2008 from a single tertiary care center in the midwest. The study population consisted of 17 patients, of whom 8 (47%) had tumor recurrence after radiation therapy. The median follow-up time was 8.2 years, with a range of 2.3 to 17.2 years. The median age at diagnosis was 5.4 years, and the median age at radiation therapy was 9.4 years. The 3- and the 10-year PFS were 69%± 11.7% and 46%± 13.3%, respectively. A significant difference in PFS was seen when comparing brainstem tumors with hypothalamic/optic pathway tumors (P=0.019). Differences in PFS based on the age at diagnosis, the extent of initial surgery, and indication for radiation therapy were not significant. A larger multicenter study is needed to better assess PFS in these patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Brain Stem Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Stem Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Brain Stem Neoplasms / surgery
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Glioma / radiotherapy*
  • Glioma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Hypothalamic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Pathways / pathology
  • Young Adult