Adult medulloblastoma: Multiagent chemotherapy with cisplatinum and etoposide: A single institutional experience

A. Silvani, P. Gaviani, E. Lamperti, A. Botturi, F. DiMeco, A. Franzini, P. Ferroli, L. Fariselli, I. Milanesi, A. Erbetta, B. Pollo, A. Salmaggi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

In 1991, a prospective phase II trial was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of treatment for adults with medulloblastoma (MB). After surgery, patients were staged with a neuroradiologic examination of the brain and neuroaxis and by cerebrospinal fluid cytology. All patients received three cycles of upfront cisplatinum (cisplatinum) and etoposide (VP16) chemotherapy followed by craniospinal radiation therapy. The current article reports on the long-term results from that trial. After a median follow-up of 14.9 years, among a total of 28 adults with MB, the overall progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 57.6 and 80%, respectively. The median OS for the whole group of patients was 11.3 years. The observed toxicity was mainly hematological, with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (16% of grades 3 and 4). In summary, in our small series of patients, the role of combination administration of CDDP ? VP16 started before the initiation of radiotherapy in reducing recurrences, particularly distant recurrences, remains unclear. To know whether adding chemotherapy to craniospinal radiation in adult therapy increases relapse-free and overall survival, we must await the results of a larger randomized controlled clinical trial.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)595-600
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Neuro-Oncology
Volume106
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2012

Keywords

  • Adult patients
  • Chemotherapy
  • Cisplatinum
  • Etoposide
  • Medulloblastoma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cancer Research
  • Oncology
  • Neurology

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