Abstract |
Radiation therapy (XRT) was used in the treatment of 25 patients with tumors of the pineal and suprasellar locations. A tissue diagnosis was obtained before XRT in 5 patients, and 20 were irradiated without histologic verification. The overall survival rate is 80% (76% with no evidence of disease [NED]). Megavoltage XRT was delivered to the entire neuraxis in 22 patients, and 86% (19/22) are alive from 4 to 88 months (median, 30 months) after treatment. In two of three patients treated only to local fields, tumor recurred in the spine; both are dead of disease. Biopsy-proven germinomas and multiple midline tumors responded favorably to XRT, whereas solitary pineal tumors and teratomas with marker positivity ( human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein) did not respond as well. The endocrinologic presentation, tumor marker status, and early response to radiation measured on computed tomography are useful means for selecting patients for radiation therapy.
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Authors | T A Rich, J R Cassady, R D Strand, K R Winston |
Journal | Cancer
(Cancer)
Vol. 55
Issue 5
Pg. 932-40
(Mar 01 1985)
ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States |
PMID | 2981605
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Brain
(diagnostic imaging)
- Brain Neoplasms
(radiotherapy, surgery)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
(radiotherapy, surgery)
- Pineal Gland
- Pinealoma
(radiotherapy)
- Radiotherapy
(adverse effects)
- Teratoma
(radiotherapy)
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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