Survival analysis and quality of life of pediatric low grade glioma treated by postoperative radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with low grade glioma (LGG) and evaluate their survival status and quality of life in LGG pediatric patients after postoperative radiotherapy.Methods Clinical data of 27 LGG children aged ≤ 14 years admitted to Department of Radiation Oncology of our hospital from January 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method.The quality of life was evaluated by body mass index (BMI),WeeFIM and enrollment situation.Results The 5-year OS and PFS of 27 pediatric patients were 92％ and 87％.BMI was measured in 25 children who were still alive and the results showed that 1 child was slightly emaciated,3 were overweight and 21 were normal.The total score of WeeFIM was＞ 108 in 21 cases and＜ 90 in 4 cases.In terms of social role-playing assessment,5 cases delayed enrollment for≥ 2 years,2 cases had good adaptation except the difficulties due to lameness,7 of them had poor study performance,but had no communication barrier.Conclusions Children with LGG can obtain relatively excellent OS and PFS after postoperative radiotherapy.Part of the children with long-term survival may experience a declined quality of life,which is mainly manifested with a decline in motor and cognitive functions.

Survival analysis and quality of life of pediatric low grade glioma treated by postoperative radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective@#To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with low grade glioma (LGG) and evaluate their survival status and quality of life in LGG pediatric patients after postoperative radiotherapy.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 27 LGG children aged≤14 years admitted to Department of Radiation Oncology of our hospital from January 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method.The quality of life was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), WeeFIM and enrollment situation.@*Results@#The 5-year OS and PFS of 27 pediatric patients were 92% and 87%. BMI was measured in 25 children who were still alive and the results showed that 1 child was slightly emaciated, 3 were overweight and 21 were normal. The total score of WeeFIM was> 108 in 21 cases and< 90 in 4 cases. In terms of social role-playing assessment, 5 cases delayed enrollment for≥ 2 years, 2 cases had good adaptation except the difficulties due to lameness, 7 of them had poor study performance, but had no communication barrier.@*Conclusions@#Children with LGG can obtain relatively excellent OS and PFS after postoperative radiotherapy. Part of the children with long-term survival may experience a declined quality of life, which is mainly manifested with a decline in motor and cognitive functions.

Semi-quantitative evaluation of brain gliomas in adults: A focus on neuropathological characteristics

Introduction: Gliomas are neoplasms with high recurrence and mortality. Due to the difficulty to apply the World Health Organization (2016) classification, developing countries continue to use histological evaluation to diagnose and classify these neoplasms. Objective: To develop a semi-quantitative scale to numerically grade gliomas by its morphological characteristics. Method: A cohort of patients with gliomas was assessed and followed for 36 months. Tumor tissue sections were analyzed and graded, including aspects such as cell line, cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, mitosis, endothelial hyperplasia, hypoxic changes, apoptotic bodies, necrosis, hemorrhage and proliferation index. Results: 58 cases were analyzed. Low-grade gliomas median score was 12 points (9 and 13.5 for percentiles 25 and 75, respectively), whereas for high-grade gliomas it was 17 points (16 and 20.5 for percentiles 25 and 75, respectively) (p < 0.0001). Thirty-six-month survival of patients with low (13/17) and high grade gliomas (6/41) was also significantly different (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The semi-quantitative morphological scale allows an objective evaluation of gliomas, with an adequate correlation between the score, tumor grade and survival time.

Therapeutic Interventions in Adult Low-Grade Gliomas

Treating adult low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is particularly challenging due to the highly infiltrative nature of this type of brain cancer. Although surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the mainstay treatment modalities for LGGs, the optimal combination management plan for a particular patient based on individual symptoms and the risk of treatment-induced toxicity remains unclear. This review highlights the competency and limitations of standard treatment options while providing an essential therapeutic update regarding current clinical trials aimed at implementing targeted therapies with morbidity rates lower than those for current LGG treatments and also augmenting the killing of cancerous cells while maintaining an improved quality of life.

Expression and significance of ADAMDEC1 protein in human glioma / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of ADAMDEC1 in glioma.Methods We prospectively observed the expression of ADAMDEC1 in 77 glioma patients,of which 28 cases were grade Ⅳ glioma,26 were grade Ⅲ glioma (high-grade glioma);of which 23 cases were Grade Ⅱ glioma,5 were grade Ⅰ glioma (low-grade glioma).For 10 cases in the control group,brain tissue samples were collected from internal decompression patients with heavy traumatic brain injury.The expression of ADAMDEC1 in glioma tissue was detected immunohistochemistry,RT-PCR,and Western blot.With follow-up survey we explored the relationship between the survival time and the expression of ADAMDEC1 in the patients with high-grade gliomas and low-grade gliomas.Results Compared with the low-grade glioma group and the control group,qPCR,immunohistochemistry and Western blotting all showed that the protein and mRNA levels of ADAMDEC1 in high-grade glioma group were significantly increased,while ADAMDEC1 was expressed little in low-grade glioma group and not expressed in control group (P ＜ 0.05).The survey results showed that the survival time of high-grade glioma patients was significantly shorter than low-grade glioma patients;however,the expression level of ADAMDEC1 in the highgrade glioma tissue was significantly higher than in low-grade glioma tissue (x2=5.031,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of ADAMDEC1 is closely related to the malignant degree of glioma cells and the prognosis of glioma patients.Therefore,ADAMDEC1 can be used as an index to evaluate the malignance degree of glioma and the prognosis of glioma.

Overview of CNS Gliomas in Childhood / 임상소아혈액종양

Brain tumor is the second most common tumor in childhood. The overall survival (OS) has improved significantly during the past 30 years due to developments in surgical technique, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell rescue. At present, the 5 year OS of pediatric brain tumor is about 75% which, however, is still lower than that of other malignancies in childhood. Various clinical studies using radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, multidrug chemotherapy, and monoclonal antibody have been conducted in order to cure patients with brain tumor. The Korean Society of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology is trying to develop standard therapy for the various types of pediatric brain tumor. Of special note, the standard treatment for pediatric glioma has not yet been established. Glioma is the most common histologic type of brain tumor in children. They are classified into 3 groups based on the WHO grade and location of tumor; low-grade glioma (LGG), high-grade glioma (HGG), and brainstem glioma (BSG). The prognosis of LGG is usually good if a complete surgical resection is feasible. Incomplete resected or progressive LGG are troublesome disease for pediatric oncologists. The survival rate of HGG and BSG is very low in spite of combined treatments with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of treatments for pediatric gliomas.

Overview of CNS Gliomas in Childhood / 임상소아혈액종양

Brain tumor is the second most common tumor in childhood. The overall survival (OS) has improved significantly during the past 30 years due to developments in surgical technique, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and high-dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral stem cell rescue. At present, the 5 year OS of pediatric brain tumor is about 75% which, however, is still lower than that of other malignancies in childhood. Various clinical studies using radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, multidrug chemotherapy, and monoclonal antibody have been conducted in order to cure patients with brain tumor. The Korean Society of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology is trying to develop standard therapy for the various types of pediatric brain tumor. Of special note, the standard treatment for pediatric glioma has not yet been established. Glioma is the most common histologic type of brain tumor in children. They are classified into 3 groups based on the WHO grade and location of tumor; low-grade glioma (LGG), high-grade glioma (HGG), and brainstem glioma (BSG). The prognosis of LGG is usually good if a complete surgical resection is feasible. Incomplete resected or progressive LGG are troublesome disease for pediatric oncologists. The survival rate of HGG and BSG is very low in spite of combined treatments with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of treatments for pediatric gliomas.

Intracranial Undifferentiated Sarcoma Arising from a Low-Grade Glioma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Undifferentiated sarcomas are rarely identified in the intracranial region. A 23-year-old man was admitted with a chief complaint of headache. Initial magnetic resonance images showed signs of low-grade glioma in the frontal lobe. Stereotactic biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of diffuse astrocytoma was confirmed. Three months later, the patient presented with a high-grade tumor as seen on imaging studies. He underwent total resection of the tumor and histopathological tests identified an undifferentiated sarcoma. The patient died eight months later due to massive tumor bleeding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of undifferentiated sarcoma arising from low-grade glioma without any chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Leptomeningeal Dissemination of a Low-Grade Brainstem Glioma without Local Recurrence

It is rare for low-grade gliomas to disseminate to the leptomeninges. However, low-grade gliomas with dissemination to the leptomeninges have been occasionally reported in children, and have generally been associated with local recurrence. A 16-year-old boy sought evaluation for diplopia and gait disturbance. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pontine mass, which was proved to be fibrillary astrocytoma on biopsy, later. Radiation therapy (5400 cGy) was given and the patient's symptoms were improved. He was followed-up radiologically for brain lesion. Seven months after diagnosis he complained of back pain and gait disturbance. A brain MRI showed a newly-developed lesion at the left cerebellopontine angle without an interval change in the primary lesion. A spinal MRI demonstrated leptomeningeal dissemination of the entire spine. Radiation therapy (3750 cGy) to the spine, and adjuvant chemotherapy with a carboplatin plus vincristine regimen were administered. However, he had a progressive course with tumoral hemorrhage and expired 13 months after diagnosis. We report an unusual case of a low-grade brainstem glioma with spinal dissemination, but without local recurrence, and a progressive course associated with hemorrhage.

Treatment of Epilepsy Associated with Brain Tumors

Epilepsy associated with brain tumors (EABT) is a multi-faceted disease that both oncological and epileptological concerns should be taken into consideration. Usually, it is characterized by chronic drug-resistant epilepsy with a low-grade brain tumor in the cerebrum. However, the distinction of typical EABT and simple brain tumors with short-term epilepsy is obscure. We need a working formulation based on the patient's burden in both oncological and epileptological aspects. The diagnosis of EABT is straightforward, but the treatment should be more complex. Medical treatment with anticonvulsants aloneseems tobe anoutdated remedy for EABT because of the risk of tumor growth and malignant progression in some patients as well as the expected favorable seizure control after surgery. Surgical treatment of EABT has resulted in seizure-free state in about 80% of patients. Complete resection of the tumor is an important prognostic factor in seizure control and probably also in tumor control. Recently, many authors emphasized a lesion-directed surgery aimed at a complete tumor removal in EABT. However, in some patients, especially in patients with dual pathology, electrophysiological studies have to be thoroughly applied. For the treatment of EABT in the temporal lobe, more sophisticated surgical strategy is required. A lesionectomy saving the uninterrupted hippocampus could be applied for selected patients. Further research is strongly needed for better understanding and treatment of EABT and low-grade glioma.

Rapid Progression of Early Delayed Radiation Effect in Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma

Early delayed radiation effects are known to occur within several months after completing radiotherapy for brain tumors. We present marked changes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan that occurred one month after radiotherapy in a patient with a pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, which was eventually diagnosed as an early delayed radiation effect. Such an early development of dramatic MRI change has not been reported in patients treated with radiotherapy for pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas.

Malignant Transformation of Hemispheric Low-Grade Gliomas: Clinical Analysis and Prognostic Factors

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that the survival of low-grade glioma patients depends upon the time of malignant transformation. The authors presents the clinical analysis of histologically proven trasformed gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 92 patients who were consecutively treated and histologically confirmed hemispheric low-grade gliomas between 1980 and 1998 were analyzed and followed. All cases meet the criteria of WHO glioma classification of grade II. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 73 months. Twenty two among 92 cases(24%) were histologically proven to be transformed into malignant ones. The mean time to transformation was 56 months. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of the transformed group were 66% and 30% respectively and significantly different from the survival rates of the non-transformed group(p=0.0018). Among clinical factors at presentation, the initial tumor volume had a tendency to be larger in the transformed group than that of the non-transformed group and became significant when it was divided into more than 30cm3 or not(p=0.02). Among therapeutic factors, the extent of removal had no influence on the rate of malignant transformation. But postoperative radiation therapy were more frequently given to the pre-transformed group than the non-transformed group and the frequency was significantly different(p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The authors had found that the initial tumor volume and radiation therapy could be clinical prognostic factors for the malignant transformation of low-grade gliomas.

Postoperative Radiotherapy for Low Grade Glioma of the Brain / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of postoperative external beam radiotherapy for patients with low grade glioma of the brain and define the optimal radiotherapeutic regimen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June, 1985 and May, 1998, 72 patients with low grade gliomas were treated with postoperative radiotherapy immediately following surgery. Median age was 37 years with range of 11 to 76 years. Forty one patients were male and 31 patients were female with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. Of those patients, 15 underwent biopsy alone and remaining 57 did subtotal resection. The distribution of the patients according to histologic type was as follows: astrocytomas-42 patients (58%), mixed oligodendrogliomas-19 patients (27%), oligodendrogliomas-11 patients (15%). Two patients were treated with whole brain irradiation followed by cone down boost and remaining 70 patients were treated with localized field with appropriate margin. All of the patients were treated with conventional once a day fractionation. Most of patients received total tumor dose of 5000~5500 cGy. RESULTS: The overall 5 and 7 year survival rates for entire group of 72 patients were 61% and 50%. Corresponding disease free survival rates for entire patients were 53% and 45%, respectively. The 5 and 7 year overall survival rates for astrocytomas, mixed oligodendrogliomas, and oligodendrogliomas were 48% and 45%, 76% and 56%, and 80% and 52%, respectively. Patients who underwent subtotal resection showed better survival rates than those who did biopsy alone. The overall 5 year survival rates for subtotal resection patients and biopsy alone patients were 67% and 43%, respectively. Forty six patients who were 40 years or younger survived better than 26 patients who were 41 years or older (overall survival rate at 5 years, 69% vs 45%). Although one patient was not able to complete the treatment because of neurological deterioration, there was no significant treatment related acute toxicities. CONCLUSION: Postoperative radiotherapy was safe and effective treatment for patients with low grade gliomas. However, we probably need prospective randomized trial to define optimal treatment timing and schedule for low grade gliomas and select patient group for different treatment philosophies.

Thallium-201 SPECT Imaging of Brain Tumors

Thallium-201 SPECT studies were done on 32 patients with brain tumors : 20 patients with glioma, 3 patients with meningiomas, 2 patients with metarastasis, 2 patients with pineal tumors, 1 patient each with germinoma, neurinoma, neurocytoma, and 2 postradiation patients. A 201T1 index was based on the ratio of thallium uptake tumor versus the homologous contralateral brain. It was calculated and compared with tumor histology. There was a substantial uptake of 201T1 in high grade gliomas with no uptake in low grade glioma. Meningiomas and metastatic tumors show hot uptake, revealing that 201T1 uptake is not exclusive to high grade gliomas. In conclusion, 201TI SPECT could distinguish the benign and malignancy, and seems to be useful in the follow-up after treatment, to period low-or high-grade lesions.

Low Grade Astrocytoma-Need Postoperative Radiotherapy or Not? / 대한치료방사선과학회지

The precise role of radiotherapy for low grade gliomas including the optimal radiation dose and timing of treatment remains unclear. The information given by a retrosepctive analysis may be useful in the design of prospective randomized studies looking at radiation dose and time of surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment. The records of 56 patients (M:F=29:27) with histologically verified cerebral low grade gliomas(47 cases of grade 1 or 2 astrocytomas and 9 oligodendrogliomas) diagnosed between 1979 and 1989 were retrospectively reviewed. The extent of surgical tumor removal was gross total or radical subtotal in 38 patients(68%) and partial or biopsy only in the remaining 18 patients(32%). Postooperative radiation therapy was given to 36 patients(64%) of the total 56 patients with minimum dose of 5000 cGy (range=1250 to 7220 cGy). The 5-and 10-year survival rates for the total 56 patients were 44% and 32% respectively with a median survival of 4.1 years. According to the histologic grade the 5- and 10-year survivals were 52% and 35% for the 24 patients respectively with grade I astrocytomas compared to 20% and 10% for the 23 patients with grade II astrocytomas. Survival of oligodendroglioma patients was greater than those with astrocytoma (65% vs 36% at 5 years), and the difference was also remarkable in the long term period of follow up (54% vs 23% at 10 years). Those who received high-dose radiation therapy (> or =5400 cGy) had significant better survival than those who received low-dose radiation(< 5400 cGy) or surgery alone (p<0.05). The 5-and 10-year survival rates were, respectively 59% and 46% for the 23 patients receiving high-dose radiation, 36% and 24% for the 13 patients receiving low-dose radiation, and 35% and 26% for the 20 patients with surgery alone. Survival rates by the extent of surgical resection were similar at 5 years (46% vs 41%), but long term survival was quite different (p<0.01) between total/subtotal resection and partial esection/biopsy (41% and 12%, resepctively). Previously published studies have identified important prognostic factors in these tumor : age, extent of surgery, grade, performance status, and duration of symptoms. But in our cases statistical analysis revealed that grade I histology (p<0.025) and young age (p<0.001) were the most significant good prognostic variables.

Surgical Experience of Multiple Recurrent Astrocytoma: Case Report

The treatment of recurrent supratentorial glioma is one of the most challenging and at the same time one of the oldest problem in neurosurgery, especially in case of multiple recurrence. We have experienced 15-year-old male, multiple recurrent supratentorial glioma patient who was subjected to 6 times of operation, radiation therapy and chemotherapy druing 5 year follow-up period. We reveiewed the literature and discussed about recurrent rate, malignant change, method of management and indication of reoperation in low grade glioma.