title: Irradiation of primary brain-stem tumors.
abstract: Of 40 patients treated for brain-stem tumors, 20 had lesions of the thalamus and midbrain (group A) and 20 had lesions of the pons and medulla (group B). Performance status measured 1 month after irradiation improved in 16 of 20 group A and 11 of 20 group B patients and was a valuable prognostic factor. The survival rate at 5 years was 40% (8/20) in group A and 30% (6/20) in group B. All recurrences appeared within 3 years and were predominantly locoregional. Treatment factors, including dose and field size, are analyzed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001933:Brain Stem; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata; D008636:Mesencephalon; D008875:Middle Aged; D011149:Pons; D011379:Prognosis; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013788:Thalamus
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes