GLIOMATOSIS CEREBRI - RESULTS WITH RADIATION-THERAPY

BACKGROUND. This review was undertaken to determine the outcome for pa tients diagnosed in the modern era and treated with radiation therapy. METHODS. Using the tumor registries of six institutions in a large me tropolitan area, cases of gliomatosis were identified and retrospectiv ely reviewed. RESULTS. The clinical course for each patient was unique . Deterioration during treatment, brief stabilization, and reversal of the clinical signs and symptoms with stability and high quality of li fe at 16 months from diagnosis characterized Patients 1, 2, and 3, res pectively. CONCLUSIONS. Radiotherapy for gliomatosis appears to stabil ize or improve neurologic function in some patients. Its impact on sur vival will await additional reports and longer follow-up. (C) 1996 Ame rican Cancer Society.