Katja[a]
Strahlenther Onkol. 2005 Apr;181(4):246-250.
Postoperative Irradiation of Incompletely Excised Gemistocytic Astrocytomas Clinical Outcome and Prognostic Factors.
Nowak-Sadzikowska J, Glinski B, Szpytma T, Pluta E.
Department of Radiation Oncology, The Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, 11 Garncarska Street, 31-115, Krakow, Poland, z5sadzik@cyf-kr.edu.pl.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Although gemistocytic astrocytomas are considered slow-growing tumors, they often behave aggressively and carry the least favorable prognosis among low-grade astrocytomas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with incompletely excised gemistocytic astrocytomas irradiated postoperatively.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Records of 48 patients with incompletely excised gemistocytic astrocytoma, irradiated between 1976 and 1998 at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, Cracow, Poland, were reviewed. The total dose ranged from 50 to 60 Gy (mean: 59.35, median: 60 Gy) delivered in daily fractions of 2 Gy, 5 days a week. The treatment volume covered the residual tumor with a margin of 1-2 cm.
RESULTS:
Toxicity was acceptable. The overall actuarial survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 30% and 17%, respectively. Age and gender had an influence on overall survival by univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). Patients </= 35 years of age and female patients carried the best prognosis.
CONCLUSION;
In most patients with gemistocytic astrocytoma, combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy result in only short-term survival. Older age is the most important unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with gemistocytic astrocytoma.