title: Management of intramedullary spinal cord tumors.
abstract: From January 1962 to May 1979, 23 patients with biopsy-proved intramedullary spinal cord tumors were treated initially with total resection, subtotal resection, irradiation, or subtotal resection and irradiation. Local control was achieved in 1/2 patients after total resection, 1/3 after subtotal resection, 8/9 after subtotal resection and radiation therapy, and 5/8 after radiation therapy alone. The patients with ependymomas exhibited a radiation dose-response relationship; of eight patients followed five or more years postirradiation, local control was achieved in 2/3 with time dose fraction (TDF) less than 55, 2/3 with TDF 55-65, and 2/2 with TDF greater than 65. The actuarial 5- and 10-year survival rates were 58% and 23% for astrocytoma, and 100% and 73% for patients with ependymoma, respectively. Neurological deficits improved or became totally normal after initial irradiation. Patterns of failure, management of recurrences, and radiotherapeutic techniques and dose recommendations are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery