CENTRAL NEUROCYTOMAS

BACKGROUND. This analysis was performed to examine the outcome of pati ents with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas. METHODS, Thir ty-two patients with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas wer e evaluated retrospectively. Patients were treated with various combin ations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (RT). Follow-up rang ed from 2.3 to 15.3 years (median, 4.7 years). RESULTS, The overall 5- year survival and local control rates were 81% and 79%, respectively. No patient developed metastases. The 5-year local control rate was 70% for patients undergoing subtotal resection (STR) and 100% for those u ndergoing gross total resection (GTR) (P = 0.08). The 5-year survival rate was 77% for patients undergoing STR and 90% for those undergoing GTR (P = 0.44). The effect of RT was evaluated for patients undergoing STR. The S-year local control rate was 100% for patients who received RT after STR compared with 50% for those who did not (P = 0.02). The 5-year survival rate was 88% for patients who received RT after STR co mpared with 71% for those who did not (P = 0.3). Three patients receiv ed salvage RT for local progression after resection. All were alive an d free of disease I to 6 years after RT. CONCLUSIONS, GTR results in a very high likelihood of local control and survival. Postoperative RT appears to improve local control rates significantly far patients who have undergone STR. The overall prognosis of patients with central neu rocytomas is quite favorable, with an actuarial 5-year survival rate o f 81%. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.