Postponed is not canceled: role of craniospinal radiation therapy in the management of recurrent infant medulloblastoma--an experience from the HIT-REZ 1997 & 2005 studies

Publication

Postponed is not canceled: role of craniospinal radiation therapy in the management of recurrent infant medulloblastoma--an experience from the HIT-REZ 1997 & 2005 studies

Journal Paper/Review - Apr 1, 2014

Müller Klaus, Fleischhack Gudrun, Kortmann Rolf-Dieter, Rutkowski Stefan, Bode Udo, von Bueren Andre, von Hoff Katja, Pietsch Torsten, Warmuth-Metz Monika, Henke Guido, Budach Wilfried, Christiansen Hans, Zimmermann Martina, Siegler Nele, Zwiener Isabella, Mynarek Martin, Tippelt Stephan

Citation

Müller K, Fleischhack G, Kortmann R, Rutkowski S, Bode U, von Bueren A, von Hoff K, Pietsch T, Warmuth-Metz M, Henke G, Budach W, Christiansen H, Zimmermann M, Siegler N, Zwiener I, Mynarek M, Tippelt S. Postponed is not canceled: role of craniospinal radiation therapy in the management of recurrent infant medulloblastoma--an experience from the HIT-REZ 1997 & 2005 studies. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014; 88:1019-24.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2014; 88

Publication Date

Apr 1, 2014

Issn Electronic

1879-355X

Pages

1019-24

Brief description/objective

PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy of craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the management of recurrent infant medulloblastoma after surgery and chemotherapy alone.

METHODS AND MATERIALS
Seventeen pediatric medulloblastoma patients registered in the HIT-REZ 1997 and 2005 studies underwent CSI as salvage treatment at first recurrence. All patients had achieved complete remission after first-line treatment consisting of surgery and chemotherapy. Eleven patients showed metastatic disease at relapse. Five patients underwent surgery prior to radiation therapy, which resulted in complete resection in 1 case. In 1 patient, complete resection of the residual tumor was performed after CSI. Eleven patients received chemotherapy prior, 6 patients during and 8 patients after CSI. All patients received CSI with a median total dose of 35.2 Gy, and all but 1 received a boost to the posterior fossa (median total dose, 55.0 Gy). Metastases were boosted with an individual radiation dose, depending on their location and extent.

RESULTS
During a median follow-up time of 6.2 years since recurrence, 11 patients showed progressive disease and died. Median progression-free (overall) survival was 2.9 ± 1.1 (3.8 ± 0.8) years. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88% ± 8%, 46% ± 12%, and 40% ± 12%, respectively. Overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 94% ± 6%, 58% ± 12%, and 39% ± 12%, respectively. For 11 patients with classic medulloblastoma, 3-year (and 5-year) PFS and OS were 62% ± 15% and 72% ± 14% (52% ± 16% and 51% ± 16%), respectively. On univariate analysis, metastatic disease was not associated with poorer progression-free and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that salvage treatment of relapsed medulloblastomas consisting of CSI and chemotherapy offers a second chance for cure, even for patients with classic histological findings. Metastatic disease at relapse did not have an impact on survival. However, this may be explained by the small number of patients.