title: Pre-irradiation chemotherapy in high risk medulloblastoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study evaluates the effect of pre-irradiation chemotherapy in pediatric patients with high risk medulloblastoma. Twenty-four (24) pediatric patients attended the pediatric unit of Kasr-El-Aini Center of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine (NEMROCK) from January 2000 to January 2003.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our patients were 13 boys and 11 girls aged 3-12 years with a median of 6.5 years. According to Chang staging system 6 cases had T2, 14 cases had T3 A and 4 cases had T3 B, 20 cases were M0, 3 cases were M1 and 1 case was M2. All patients were treated by initial surgery, 2 cycles of pre-irradiation chemotherapy followed by craniospinal radiation then by 4 cycles of post-radiation chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen out of the 20 patients with M0 had objective response (10CR + 5PR) and no one had disease progression after pre-irradiation chemotherapy. Among 4 patients with M0 disease, 2 patients had PR and 2 had S.D. There was no disease progression among patients who received pre-irradiation chemotherapy. The 3-year overall survival and 3-year progression-free survival; (PFS) were 50% and 51%, respectively, Myelosuppression was the main toxic effect observed during pre-irradiation chemotherapy; however, there was no delay or interruption of craniospinal irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-irradiation chemotherapy is effective in high risk medulloblastoma and is associated with acceptable side effects. The delay in craniospinal irradiation (CSI) for about 5 weeks to receive 2 courses of chemotherapy will not significantly increase disease progression. Multiple cycles of post-irradiation chemotherapy can be given safely after CSI. A larger number of patients and longer follow-up is needed to confirm the results.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. DrHashamhussein@Hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hesham H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Abd-El-Aal
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin