title: Hypofractionated radiation therapy and concurrent cisplatin in malignant cerebral gliomas. Rapid palliation in low performance status patients.
abstract: Twenty-eight patients with high-grade cerebral gliomas (16 biopsy-proven and 12 diagnosed clinically and by computed tomography scan) were treated with altered fraction radiation and concomitant cisplatin (C-DDP). Twenty cases (Groups IA and IB) whose Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was 60% or less received hypofractionation and C-DDP. All these patients had received high-dose Decadron (Merck Sharp & Dohme, West Point, PA), and their conditions were not improving or progressively deteriorating. The first 11 patients (Group IA) received from 600 cGy twice weekly to 3600 cGy over 3 weeks combined with C-DDP IV at 40 mg/M2 every 2 weeks for two courses. The nine subsequent patients (Group IB) received from 600 cGy weekly to 3600 cGy over 5 to 6 weeks with C-DDP IV at 40 mg/M2 every 1 to 2 weeks for four courses. The target volume in all cases was confined to the tumor as defined on computed tomography (CT) scan with a 2 cm to 3 cm margin. The C-DDP at 40 mg/M2 was administered immediately (within 5 minutes after radiation). Eight cases (Group II) with a KPS of more than 60% were treated with hyperfractionation, i.e., from 200 cGy twice daily to 4800 cGy in just under 3 weeks. The C-DDP was administered every 2 weeks for a total of two courses, as for Group IA. In Group I, 15 of 20 (75%) patients experienced rapid improvement in their performance status, which usually becoming evident within 1 to 2 weeks from the initiation of treatment, and progressed over time. Four patients with a KPS of 10% improved their KPS to over 60%. This regimen was both well tolerated and logistically very convenient both for the patients and attending staff. Follow-up CT scans in three of 16 evaluable patients in the hypofractionated group showed complete tumor resolution. Median survival for Group IA was 7 months, for Group IB was 12 months, and overall was eight months. The Group II median survival was 9 months. This experience suggests that hypofractionated radiation in combination with C-DDP may offer rapid palliation with improvement in functional status in severely compromised patients with malignant glioma.
authors: Department of Oncology, Chaim Sheba Medical School, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Hercbergs
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Tadmor
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Findler
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sahar
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Brenner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin