Fractionated stereotactic conformal radiation therapy of brain stem gliomas: outcome and prognostic factors

Background and purpose: Evaluation of outcome and prognostic factors in patients with brain stem glioma (BSG) following fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). Materials and methods: Between 1990 and 1997, we treated 41 patients with FSRT in a phase I/II trial. Median age was 24 years. Out of 36 patients with histologically proven glioma, ten had a partial tumour resection. Histology revealed low grade gliomas in 30 patients and anaplastic gliomas in six patients. A mean total dose of 54 Gy was given in daily fractions of 1.8 Gy. Median follow-up was 12 months. Results: Three patients died during FSRT. Neurological improvement was achieved in 19/38 patients. Reduction of tumour size was reported in 12/38, in 16 patients the lesion was unchanged, ten showed progression. Median time to progression was 23 months, median overall survival 40 months with an actuarial survival of 83% at 1 year, 55% at 3 years and 33% at 5 years. In 20 of 22 patients with recurrence progression was inside the target volume. Significant prognostic factors for survival were clinical and radiological response 6 weeks after FSRT. Treatment toxicity was mild. Ototoxicity occurred in one patient. Conclusions: FSRT is a feasible treatment modality for BSG with tolerable toxicity. The risk of marginal failure is low. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.