Radiation therapy of tumors of the central nervous system in childhood.

ABSTRACT

The results of radiation therapy for CNS tumors of childhood are presented and discussed according to histologic type. In this material the 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were about 35% for medulloblastomas, 48% for the hypothalamic and brain stem tumors, 86% for lowgrade ependymomas, and 57% for germinomas. Complications or CNS injury from irradiation were rare and the quality of life in survivors was generally good. Current methods of radiation therapy may possibly improve these results. Tumors of the CNS in children do not necessarily carry a hopeless prognosis; aggressive therapy is indicated.