Glioblastoma in Children: A Single-Institution Experience

Journal Article · Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.03.013· OSTI ID:21587613

Perkins, Stephanie M ^[1]; Rubin, Joshua B ^[2]; Leonard, Jeffrey R; Smyth, Matthew D ^[3]; El Naqa, Issam; Michalski, Jeff M; Simpson, Joseph R ^[1]; Limbrick, David L; Park, Tae S ^[3]

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1. Department of Radiation Oncology and Mallinkrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (United States)
2. Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (United States)
3. Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (United States)

Purpose: Current treatment recommendations for pediatric glioblastoma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, even with this multispecialty approach, overall survival remains poor. To assess outcome and evaluate treatment-related prognostic factors, we retrospectively reviewed the experience at our institution. Methods and Materials: Twenty-four glioblastoma patients under the age of 21 were treated with radiation therapy with curative intent at Washington University, St. Louis, from 1970 to 2008. Patients underwent gross total resection, subtotal resection or biopsy alone. Fourteen (58%) of the patients received chemotherapy. All patients received radiation therapy. Radiation consisted of whole-brain radiation therapy in 7 (29%) patients with a median dose of 50.4 Gy. Seventeen (71%) patients received three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy with a median dose of 54 Gy. Results: Median follow-up was 12.5 months from diagnosis. One and 2-year overall survival rates were 57% and 32%, respectively. Median overall survival was 13.5 months. There were no differences in overall survival based on patients' age, race, gender, tumor location, radiation volume, radiation dose, or the use of chemotherapy. There was a significant improvement in overall survival for patients in whom gross total resection was achieved (p = 0.023). Three patients were alive 5 years after gross total resection, and 2 patients were alive at 10 and 24 years after diagnosis. Conclusions: Survival for children with glioblastoma remains poor. Data from this and other studies demonstrate the importance of achieving a gross total resection. Continued investigation into new treatment options is needed in an attempt to improve outcome for these patients.

• OSTI ID: 21587613
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 80, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2010.03.013; PII: S0360-3016(10)00418-9; Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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