Spinal cord astrocytoma: multidisciplinary experience

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Astrocytomas of the spinal cord have rarely been reported. We examined our experience, treatment and outcome of patients treated during the last four years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts from patients treated for this neoplasm in a multidisciplinary team of Granada, Spain. The information was retrospectively obtained from the patients' hospital records. The patients were evaluated with clinical history, physical exam, spinal magnetic resonance (MR), surgery, location and histology, treatment, and follow-up. RESULTS: In the last four years, we have treated 37 astrocytomas, of which only 3 were intramedullary. All patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients died, but one is alive and practically asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The optimal treatment remains controversial. Radiotherapy should be considered for tumors with high-grade histopathology, clinically progressive and when a substantial resection cannot be achieved. New therapeutic strategies need to be studied to improve survival (AU)