title: Central neurocytomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This analysis was performed to examine the outcome of patients with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were treated with various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (RT). Follow-up ranged from 2.3 to 15.3 years (median, 4.7 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall 5-year survival and local control rates were 81% and 79%, respectively. No patient developed metastases. The 5-year local control rate was 70% for patients undergoing subtotal resection (STR) and 100% for those undergoing gross total resection (GTR) (P = 0.08). The 5-year survival rate was 77% for patients undergoing STR and 90% for those undergoing GTR (P = 0.44). The effect of RT was evaluated for patients undergoing STR. The 5-year local control rate was 100% for patients who received RT after STR compared with 50% for those who did not (P = 0.02). The 5-year survival rate was 88% for patients who received RT after STR compared with 71% for those who did not (P = 0.3). Three patients received salvage RT for local progression after resection. All were alive and free of disease 1 to 6 years after RT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GTR results in a very high likelihood of local control and survival. Postoperative RT appears to improve local control rates significantly for patients who have undergone STR. The overall prognosis of patients with central neurocytomas is quite favorable, with an actuarial 5-year survival rate of 81%.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Department of Radiation Oncology, Arizona 85259, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Scheithauer
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Haddock
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018306:Neurocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate