ISSN:
1432-1459
Keywords:
Cerebellar astrocytoma
;
Brain-stem glioma
;
Pilocytic astrocytoma
;
Prognosis
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary A retrograde study was performed in 105 patients operated upon between 1950 and 1972 for a cerebellar astrocytoma. Complete histories were available for 89 patients. Forty-five patients died within the first 3 months after operation. Of the 32 patients who were still alive, 14 patients had been operated upon 20–30 years previously and 18 patients 10–19 years previously. Twelve patients died over 3 months after the operation; in 6 cases, recurrence of tumour was the cause of death. Of the 7 patients who were irradiated postoperatively, 5 died. In 26 patients the tumor had infiltrated the brain-stem and only 7 patients survived the operation. However, 2 patients are still alive after 25 and 10 years, respectively. The findings indicate that patients operated upon for a localized cerebellar astrocytoms can be considered cured and irradiation and chemotherapy are not warranted. When the tumour has infiltrated the brain-stem, a survival period of more than 20 years is possible after partial resection.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00313887
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