Remission of a chiasmatic glioma in a non-NF1 patient after brief chemotherapy with vincristine and carboplatin: case report and literature review

J Neurooncol. 2004 Mar-Apr;67(1-2):95-100. doi: 10.1023/b:neon.0000021740.50003.27.

Abstract

We describe the case of an 8-year-old girl without neurofibromatosis, who presented with total loss of vision on the left eye, due to a chiasmatic mass with imaging characteristics of glioma, accompanied by a second asymptomatic mass in the middle cranial fossa, along the intracranial route of the right trigeminal nerve. The patient received a total of 10 weekly injections of vincristine and four injections of carboplatin every 3 weeks and achieved a very good partial response (97% volume reduction) after the nineth week of therapy with acceptable toxicity. Given the natural history of opticochiasmatic gliomas, we cannot rule out the possibility of a spontaneous regression. However, we believe the quick response accompanied by visual improvement was most likely due to chemotherapy. A trial of vincristine and carboplatin may be worthwhile in children with symptomatic chiasmatic gliomas, irrespective of their age.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Child
  • Female
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurofibromatoses / pathology
  • Optic Chiasm / pathology*
  • Optic Nerve Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vincristine
  • Carboplatin