Pediatric Brain Stem Tumors: Analysis of 25 Cases

Abstract

The charts of twenty-five pediatria patients with brain stem tumors diagnosed between March 1977 and December 1980 have been reviewed. Ages of patients ranged from 22 months to 17 years. The use of computed tomography (CT) was found to have been valuable in diagnosis and follow-up, as well as in the design of radiation therapy portals. Radiotherapy and combination chemotherapy with VM26 (4'-1 demethyl-epipodophyllo-toxin B-D-thenyUdene glucoside) and CCNU (1-2-chloroethyl-methyl-3-Cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) were the treatment modalities employed. The three-year survival rate for this group of patients was 29%.

Keywords

• Brain Neoplasms
• VM26
• CCNU
• Vincristine
• Childhood
• Radiotherapy