The role of prophylactic spinal irradiation in localized intracranial ependymoma

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(91)90704-8· OSTI ID:5160538

Vanuytsel, L; Brada, M ^[1]

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1. Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey (England)

A review of the clinical literature on ependymoma, published between 1969 and 1989, was carried out to assess the influence of tumor grade and site, tumor control at the primary site, and extent of irradiation on the incidence of spinal seeding after initial treatment. The pooled data show that the incidence of seeding was 8.4% (7/83) for high grade tumors and 4.5% (6/132) for low grade tumors. Seeding occurred more frequently in infratentorial tumors than in supratentorial tumors. For high grade tumors the incidence was 0% (0/26) for supratentorial and 15.7% (6/38) for infratentorial lesions; for low grade tumors the respective incidence was 2.7% (1/37) and 5.5% (4/73). Spinal seeding was 9.5% (15/157) in the event of failure at the primary site compared to 3.3% (4/122) when local control was achieved. The development of spinal metastases was not influenced by the extent of irradiation. For high grade tumors the incidence was 9.4% (5/53) with spinal irradiation and 6.7% (2/30) without prophylactic treatment; for low grade tumors the respective values were 9.3% (4/43) and 2.2% (2/89). These results indicate that tumor grade, tumor localization, and control of the tumor at the primary site are all factors which may influence the risk of spinal seeding. On the present evidence spinal metastases are not prevented by prophylactic spinal irradiation, regardless of tumor grade and site.

• OSTI ID: 5160538
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States), Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics; (United States) Vol. 21:3; ISSN IOBPD; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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550603* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Therapy-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
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CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
IRRADIATION
MAMMALS
MAN
MEDICINE
METASTASES
NEOPLASMS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
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