[Chemoradiation for malignant brain tumors].
The author reviewed treatment results of chemoradiation therapy for malignant brain tumors. For astrocytic tumors, radiation therapy combined with radiosensitizing chemotherapeutic agents, mainly nitrosourea compounds (BCNU or ACNU), has been a standard treatment modality for a long time. The therapy is more effective for anaplastic astrocytoma than glioblastoma. The chemoradiation therapy is now applied for medulloblastoma; it prolonged 5-year survival up to 70%. Metastatic brain tumors are frequently treated by radiation therapy alone. When combined with cisplatin, radiation therapy shows a more excellent antitumor effect.
Matsutani
M
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Saitama Medical School, Japan.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin; D002330:Carmustine