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Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Halperin, EC; Wehn, SM; Scott, JW; Djang, W; Oakes, WJ; Friedman, HS
Published in: Med Pediatr Oncol
1989

Brainstem tumors arise in portions of the rhombencephalon and mesencephalon. Some authorities include diencephalic tumors in this group. We have reviewed our clinical experience of 69 children (less than 21 years of age) with brainstem tumors evaluated and treated at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) from 1960 to 1986. There were 19 patients with group 1 tumors (thalamus, third ventricle region, or midbrain) and 50 with group II tumors (pons, medulla oblongata). The common presenting signs and symptoms were ataxia, headache, motor loss, and cranial nerve palsies. The most commonly employed diagnostic imaging studies were air examinations and CT. Preradiotherapy confirmation of malignancy was obtained in five group I patients (astrocytoma, 4; germinoma, 1) and 8 group II patients (astrocytoma, 3; anaplastic astrocytoma, 2; glioblastoma multiforme, 3). All patients received radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rate for the entire population was 40%. The survival rate for group I patients was significantly better than that observed for group II patients. In the 50 group II patients neither patient sex nor age nor presence of cranial nerve palsies nor pretreatment CT scan findings nor field size influenced survival. A long duration of symptoms positively influenced survival. The vast majority of tumor recurrences were within the radiation field. Half of the patients had either stable or improved Karnofsky status 6 months following completion of irradiation. The management strategy for childhood brainstem tumors is discussed.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Med Pediatr Oncol

DOI

ISSN

0098-1532

Publication Date

1989

Volume

17

Issue

2

Start / End Page

117 / 126

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Prognosis
  • Probability
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Glioma
  • Follow-Up Studies
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Halperin, E. C., Wehn, S. M., Scott, J. W., Djang, W., Oakes, W. J., & Friedman, H. S. (1989). Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors. Med Pediatr Oncol, 17(2), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpo.2950170209
Halperin, E. C., S. M. Wehn, J. W. Scott, W. Djang, W. J. Oakes, and H. S. Friedman. “Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors.Med Pediatr Oncol 17, no. 2 (1989): 117–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpo.2950170209.
Halperin EC, Wehn SM, Scott JW, Djang W, Oakes WJ, Friedman HS. Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1989;17(2):117–26.
Halperin, E. C., et al. “Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors.Med Pediatr Oncol, vol. 17, no. 2, 1989, pp. 117–26. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/mpo.2950170209.
Halperin EC, Wehn SM, Scott JW, Djang W, Oakes WJ, Friedman HS. Selection of a management strategy for pediatric brainstem tumors. Med Pediatr Oncol. 1989;17(2):117–126.

Published In

Med Pediatr Oncol

DOI

ISSN

0098-1532

Publication Date

1989

Volume

17

Issue

2

Start / End Page

117 / 126

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Retrospective Studies
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Prognosis
  • Probability
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Oncology & Carcinogenesis
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Glioma
  • Follow-Up Studies