Second complete remission of relapsed medulloblastoma induced by metronomic chemotherapy.

Abstract

Prognosis for children with relapsed medulloblastoma remains poor. Metronomic chemotherapy may offer some benefit to patients treated initially with intensive regimens. However, dosing and duration of such palliative treatment have not been systematically studied. Here we describe a child with medulloblastoma relapsing after initial high-dose chemotherapy and standard radiotherapy. The patient was then treated with metronomic chemotherapy and achieved second complete remission after 21 months of treatment. Three months off therapy he relapsed again and died from progressive disease. This case illustrates the potential benefit of metronomic chemotherapy but also shows the uncertainty of when to stop metronomic chemotherapy while balancing toxicity.

• Authors: Jaroslav Sterba, Zdenek Pavelka, Nicolas Andre, Jiri Ventruba, Jarmila Skotakova, Viera Bajciova, Danica Bronisova, Lenka Dubska, Dalibor Valik
• Journal: Pediatric blood & cancer (Pediatr Blood Cancer) Vol. 54 Issue 4 Pg. 616-7 (Apr 2010) ISSN: 1545-5017 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19967772 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (administration & dosage)
• Cerebellar Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Child
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Drug Chronotherapy
• Humans
• Male
• Medulloblastoma (drug therapy)
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (drug therapy)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neurosurgical Procedures
• Radiotherapy
• Remission Induction