Chemotherapy of medulloblastoma.
Recent advances in neurosurgical techniques and diagnostic imaging capabilities have facilitated gross total resection and accurate staging of disease extent in a greater proportion of patients. The addition of chemotherapy to surgery and craniospinal radiation has improved the outcome of patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma. Long-term follow-up studies have documented the neuroendocrine and neuropsychological deficits seen in the survivors. This paper reviews key studies using all three modalities over the past two decades and presents on-going therapeutic strategies using a risk-adapted approach. Further areas of basic research and evolving data on studies in relapsed patients are also briefly discussed.
Gajjar
A
A
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN 38105-2729, USA. amar.gaijar@stjude.org
Kühl
J
J
Epelman
S
S
Bailey
C
C
Allen
J
J
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents