title: [Radiation therapy in the treatment of brain-stem tumors in children].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to their location, tumors of the trunk (TT) present a high surgical risk and the diagnosis is usually made by imaging. In Chile, these cases are treated according to the PINDA Program (national treatment guide for pediatric tumors). All patients receive radiotherapy (RT) after diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment results for TT at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) between 1993 and 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of patients diagnosed with TT at NCI was conducted. Patient population, symptoms, treatment received and overall survival are described. Prognostic factors were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From November 1993 to December 2011, 70 children were referred for possible RT, 68 of them actually received it. The median age at diagnosis was 7 years old. In June 2012, out of 70 patients, 60 were deceased, all due to disease progression. The median survival of patients who received RT (68 patients) was 8.5 months from the end of treatment; the survival rates at 1, 2 and 3 years was 31.5 %, 14.3 % and 12.8% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that survival was affected by the MRN high resolution imaging (p = 0.07) and by the diffuse tumor pattern (p = 0.025). Multivariate analysis showed survival is affected by the MRN high resolution imaging (p = 0.011) and a higher dose of RT protector (p = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The poor results obtained in the treatment of TT with RT at the INC are similar to those reported by other centers. Further explorations regarding other treatment options based on combined therapy using RT are needed.
authors: Nicolás
authors: N
authors: Isa O
authors: Mauricio
authors: M
authors: Reyes C
authors: Moisés
authors: M
authors: Russo N
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome