Central neurocytoma: management recommendations based on a 35-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the outcomes of patients with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas.


METHODS
The data from 45 patients with central neurocytomas diagnosed between 1971 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. Various combinations of surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy had been used for treatment.


RESULTS
The median follow-up was 10.0 years. The 10-year overall survival and local control rate was 83% and 60%, respectively. Patients whose tumor had a mitotic index of <3 (per 10 high-power fields) experienced a 10-year survival and local control rate of 89% and 74%, respectively, compared with 57% (p = 0.040) and 46% (p = 0.14) for patients with a tumor mitotic index of > or =3. The 10-year survival and local control rate was 90% and 74% for patients with typical tumors compared with 63% (p = 0.055) and 46% (p = 0.41) for those with atypical tumors. A comparison of gross total resection with subtotal resection showed no significant difference in survival or local control. Postoperative RT improved local control at 10 years (75% with RT vs. 51% without RT, p = 0.045); however, this did not translate into a survival benefit. No 1p19q deletions were found in the 19 tumors tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the overall prognosis is quite favorable, one-third of patients experienced tumor recurrence or progression at 10 years, regardless of the extent of the initial resection. Postoperative RT significantly improved local control but not survival, most likely because of the effectiveness of salvage RT. For incompletely resected atypical tumors and/or those with a high mitotic index, consideration should be given to adjuvant RT because of the more aggressive nature.
Leenstra
James L
JL
Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Rodriguez
Fausto J
FJ
Frechette
Christina M
CM
Giannini
Caterina
C
Stafford
Scott L
SL
Pollock
Bruce E
BE
Schild
Steven E
SE
Scheithauer
Bernd W
BW
Jenkins
Robert B
RB
Buckner
Jan C
JC
Brown
Paul D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018306:Neurocytoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents