Summary
The combination of chemotherapy and irradiation for the treatment of malignant intracerebral tumours is increasing, and survival times longer than those after monotherapy are reported. The suitability of simultaneous radio-chemotherapy using BCNU-Bleomycin, a regimen in which has been followed 38 patients of this hospital (up to 31 December 1981) is critically discussed. Statistics of 30 patients with treatment ended by 31 December 1980 and case histories of two patients with fatal complications, aspergillosis in the one and necrotizing colitis in the other, are presented. The value of the various agents used for chemotherapy is discussed with respect to the survival rates and observed side effects in all the patients. The use of Bleomycin is questioned.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adamson, I. Y. R., Bowden, D. H., The pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Amer. J. Path.77 (1974), 185–198.
Barker, M., Deen, D. F., Baker, D. G., BCNU and X-ray therapy of intracerebral 9 L rat tumors. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1581–1583.
Baumgartner, G., Ergebnisse mit dem Zytostatikum Bleomycin in der Tumortherapie. Wien klin. Wschr.85 (1973), 686–692.
BlÄsig, H., NÄther, B., Gerteis, W., Brölsch, Ch., Greuel, H., Bleomycin bei gynÄkologischen Plattenepithelkarzinomen. Geburtsh. u. Frauenheilk.31 (1971), 1155–1163.
Bonadonna, G., de Lena, M., Monfardini, S., Bartoli, C., Bajjetta, E., Beretta, G., Fossati-Bellani, F., Clinical trials with bleomycin in lymphomas and in solid tumors. Europ. J. Cancer2 (1972), 205–215.
Burckhardt, A., Höltje, W.-J., Gebbers, J.-C., Vascular lesion following perfusion with bleomycin. Virchow's Arch. A — Path. Anat. and Histol.372 (1976), 227–236.
Costanza, M., Buechler, M., Munzenrider, J., Emami, B., Murkherji, B., Shucart, W., Scott, M., Nathanson, L., Rudders, R., Stein, B., Post, K., Piro, A., Radiation plus adjuvant CCNU (1-3-cycloethyl-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) vs CCNU, hydroxyurea and vincristine in the treatment of malignant glioma. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1589–1592.
Deen, D. F., Williams, M. E., Wheeler, K. T., Comparison of the CCNU and BCNU modification of the in vitro radiation response in 9 L brain tumor cells of rats. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1541–1544.
Fettig, O., Hilgarth, M., Hillemanns, H. G., Kaltenbach, J. F., Bleomycin in der GynÄkologie. Fortschr. Med.89 (1971), 1373–1479.
Goldstein, L. S., Ross, G. Y., Phillips, T. L., The interaction of irradiation and BCNU in intestinal crypt cells. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1569–1571.
Hildebrand, J., Adjuvant chemotherapy in malignant brain gliomas. Recent Results Cancer Res.68 (1979), 408–411.
Klein, G. L., Gamsu, G., Thoracic manifestations of aspergillosis. Amer. J. Roentgenol.134 (1980), 543–552.
Luna, M. A., Bedrossian, C. W. M., Lichtiger, B., Salem, P. A., Interstitial pneumonitis associated with bleomycin therapy. Amer. J. clin. Path.58 (1972), 501–510.
Mathe, G., Study of the clinical efficiency of bleomycin in human cancer. Brit. med. J.2 (1970), 643–645.
Monfardini, S., Brambilla, C., Solero, C. L., Vaghi, A., Valaussa, P., Morello, G., Bonadonna, G., Adjuvant chemotherapy with nitrosourea compounds following surgery plus radiotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme. Recent Results Cancer Res.68 (1978), 393–398.
Phillips, T. L., Ross, G. Y., Goldstein, L. S., Begg, A. C., The interaction of radiation and bleomycin in intestinal crypt cells. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1509–1512.
Price, R. A., Jamieson, P. A., The central nervous system in childhood leukemia. II. Subacute leukoencephalopathy. Cancer35 (1975), 306–318.
Renault, P., André, P., Laccourreye, H., Cancers pharyngolaryngés traités par la bléomycin. Essai de contrÔle histopathologique. Ann. Oto-laryng.89 (1972), 229–237.
Rubinstein, L. J., Hermann, M. M., Long, T. F., Wilburg, J. R., Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy: a complication of treated central nervous system leukemia and lymphoma. Cancer35 (1975), 291–305.
Salcman, M., Glioblastoma multiforme. Amer. J. Med. Sci.279 (1980), 84–94.
Shapiro, W. R., Young, D. F., Treatment of malignant gliomas. Arch. Neurol.33 (1976), 494–500.
Vats, T. S., Morantz, R. A., Wood, G. W., Tilzer, S., Effectiveness of bleomycin in rat brain tumor model intravenously and intracerebrally. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1527–1529.
Walker, M. D., Alexander, E., Hunt, W. E., MacCarty, C. S., Mahaley, M., Mealy, J., Norrell, H. A., Owens, G., Ransohoff, J., Wilson, C. B., Gehan, E. A., Strike, T. A., Evaluation of BCNU and/or radiotherapy in the treatment of anaplastic gliomas. J. Neurosurg.49 (1978), 333–343.
Walker, M. D., Weiss, H. D., Chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Adv. Neurol.13 (1975), 149–191.
Wheeler, K. T., Kaufman, K., Feldstein, M., Response of a rat brain tumor to factrionated therapy with low doses of BCNU and irradiation. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys.9 (1979), 1553–1557.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dietz, R., Burger, L., Schimrigk, K. et al. Complications after combination of chemotherapy and radiation for malignant brain tumours. Acta neurochir 65, 167–173 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405842
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405842