RESUMO
An analysis of 16 cases of optic glioma in childhood is presented. All tumours were astrocytomas of the juvenile pilocytic of type low malignancy. In 7 of 13 patients with involvement of the chiasm there was a significant progression of tumour during the follow-up period, including 4 cases with fatal outcome. Patients under 5 years of age had a more unfavourable course than older children, but at the same time they had received lower doses of radiotherapy. The 5 patients treated with an absorbed dose of 39 Gy or more are alive without signs of progression 7-20 years after treatment. It is concluded from this material and from a survey of literature that many cases of optic glioma in childhood do not have a benign course. Guidelines for treatment are proposed.
