[Intracranial ependymomas: retrospective study of 16 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To report the epidemiological, clinical aspects and therapeutic results of intracranial ependymomas in Morocco.


METHODS
Our retrospective study concerned 16 cases of intracranial ependymomas, treated from January 1995 to December 2002 at the radiotherapy department of Ibn Rochd Hospital of Casablanca, Morocco.


RESULTS
The average age was 15 years and complete surgery was possible in two cases. All the patients received cranial radiotherapy, combined with chemotherapy in six cases. Overall survival and progression-free survival at 5 years were respectively 50% and 31%. Eleven patients had local recurrence after an average period of 21 months. Progression-free survival at 5 years was better if complete resection: 100% vs. 28.6% in cases of incomplete resection, and depending on the histological type with 50% for classic ependymomas and 16.6% for anaplastic.


CONCLUSIONS
Ependymomas are rare tumors and complete resection is the standard treatment followed by postoperative radiotherapy. The place of chemotherapy remains to be defined.
Centre d'Oncologie, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc. mhoujami@yahoo.fr
M
M
Houjami
S
S
Sahraoui
N
N
Benchakroun
H
H
Jouhadi
N
N
Tawfiq
A
A
Benider
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; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents