title: Chemotherapy in low-grade astrocytoma management.
abstract: The role of chemotherapy (CHT) in the management of low-grade astrocytoma (LGA) is still unclear. Nineteen children with nonresectable symptomatic LGA were treated with carboplatin (CBDCA) and etoposide (E). There were 15 newly diagnosed cases and 4 were relapses; 6 of the children were under 5 years old. In all children radiological evaluation by CT scan and/or MRI was performed after four courses of CHT. We observed complete response (CR)+ minor response (MR) in 37% of these cases and an improvement in neurological symptoms in 63%. Radiological evaluation performed in 6 patients who received CHT for longer periods (8-12 courses) showed major responses (CR+PR) in 67%. Local radiotherapy (40 Gy) was administered after CHT in 14 cases, but in 3 of these radiotherapy was delayed for 2 years. Five patients did not receive radiotherapy. The overall survival was 58% after an average follow-up of 60 months. All patients with brain stem tumors died of progressive disease even though 3 of these had shown clinical improvement after chemotherapy. In conclusion, in the treatment of nonresectable symptomatic LGA, CHT with CBDCA associated with E can be used to postpone radiotherapy in young children and even to avoid radiotherapy in some cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Castello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schiavetti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Varrasso
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clerico
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cappelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin