Medulloblastoma: results of treatment, KFSH experience

ABSTRACT

This study is a retrospective analysis of 86 evaluable patients with pathologically documented cerebellar medulloblastoma presented to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center between 1975-1985. The overall 5-year survival rate of the group was 56 +/- 7% and the progression free survival [PFS] was 47 +/- 7%. Patients with total surgical excision of their tumors had a significantly higher 5-year survival rate of 91 +/- 9% compared to 43 +/- 8% for those with less radical procedures [p = 0.002]. Patients below 5 years of age had a significantly lower 5-year survival of 35 +/- 14% compared to 62 +/- 8% for older patients [p = 0.01]. The dose to the posterior fossa [PF] and the spinal cord significantly influenced the survival of the patients. Patients who received a dose < 50 Gy had a 5-year survival of 45 +/- 12% compared to 63 +/- 8% for patients treated with higher doses to the PF [p = 0.05]. Similarly, patients who received > 30 Gy to the spinal cord had a 5-year survival rate 65 +/- 8% compared to 37 +/- 12% for patients treated with lower doses [p = 0.01]. Multivariate analysis of the effect of age, dose to the posterior fossa, dose to the spinal cord and extent of surgical resection on survival revealed that the extent of surgical resection was the only significantly independent factor