title: Spinal cord astrocytoma: multidisciplinary experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Astrocytomas of the spinal cord have rarely been reported. We examined our experience, treatment and outcome of patients treated during the last four years.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the charts from patients treated for this neoplasm in a multidisciplinary team of Granada, Spain. The information was retrospectively obtained from the patients' hospital records. The patients were evaluated with clinical history, physical exam, spinal magnetic resonance (MR), surgery, location and histology, treatment, and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the last four years, we have treated 37 astrocytomas, of which only 3 were intramedullary. All patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients died, but one is alive and practically asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimal treatment remains controversial. Radiotherapy should be considered for tumors with high-grade histopathology, clinically progressive and when a substantial resection cannot be achieved. New therapeutic strategies need to be studied to improve survival.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain. aris.tovar@gmail.com
authors.forename: M Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Tovar Martín
authors.forename: Escarlata
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López Ramírez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saura Rojas
authors.forename: Gregorio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arregui Castillo
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zurita Herrera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011878:Radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents