High-dose steroid therapy of intracranial tumour in the elderly.
Twenty elderly patients with intracranial tumour were treated with high-dose steroids (beta- or dexamethasone 12--16 mg per day). Six of eight patients with primary intracranial malignancies and four of six with metastatic tumours showed a definite response of conscious level and/or neurological deficit. One of two patients with lymphoma responded but neither of two with meningioma. Six patients were able to return home. Two patients suffered serious, and three minor, side-effects attributable to steroid therapy, but this treatment has a definite place in the management of intracranial tumour in old age.
D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged
D003907:Dexamethasone