A retrospective review including long-term follow-up (4.6–12.0 years) was performed of all 28 pediatric patients who underwent high-activity 125I brachytherapy at the University of California, San Francisco, for primary or recurrent brain tumors from 1980 until 1991. There were 4 glioblastomas, 11 high-grade nonglioblastoma multiforme (NGM) malignant gliomas, 10 contrast-enhancing low-grade NGM, 2 choroid plexus carcinomas, and 1 rhabdomyosarcoma. The 13 survivors included 7 of 8 patients with primary high-grade NGM, 2 of 3 patients with primary low-grade NGM, and 3 of 7 patients with recurrent low-grade NGM. Necrosis (with or without tumor) was identified in 17 of 22 reoperated patients. The mean Karnofsky performance status was 88 ± 9 at the time of brachytherapy, 87 ± 7 at 3 years, and 87 ± 9 in 11 patients alive at 6-12 years. Brachytherapy is a useful modality for treating selected pediatric brain tumors, and although focal necrosis is a common sequela, it does not tend to have a major impact on the Karnofsky performance status, if the implant site is amenable to reoperation.

Keywords:
Adolescence, Astrocytoma, Brachytherapy, Brain neoplasms, Glioblastomas, Glioma, Iodine radioisotopes
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.