title: Effect of cranial irradiation on seizure frequency in adults with low-grade astrocytoma and medically intractable epilepsy.
abstract: We report the effect of cranial irradiation on seizure frequency in five adults with unresected (biopsy-proven) cerebral hemisphere low-grade astrocytoma and medically intractable epilepsy. Seizures were refractory to standard antiepileptic drugs for 7 months to 27 years. Treatment with 5,400 cGy to 6,120 cGy focal radiation reduced seizure frequency by more than 90% in three patients (one of whom became seizure-free) and by more than 75% (but less than 90%) in one patient. One patient had no response. Brain CT or MRI showed a partial tumor response to radiation in three of the four patients with reduced seizure frequency. In three patients, the reduced seizure frequency continued to the most recent follow-up of 1 to 1.5 years. In the patient who became seizure-free, seizures recurred at 8.2 years and were associated with tumor progression. Irradiation can reduce seizure frequency in some patients with unresected cerebral hemisphere low-grade astrocytoma and medically intractable epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lupica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants