Gangliogliomas - Experience with 34 patients and review of the literature

Ganglioglioma is an uncommon central nervous system tumor. The role of adju vant postoperative radiation therapy is undefined. The authors retrospectiv ely reviewed the clinicopathologic features and results of therapy for 34 p atients with ganglioglioma treated at the University of California at Los A ngeles. There were 18 women and 16 men. Median age was 18 years. Twenty-fiv e tumors were low grade. Twenty-one patients underwent gross total resectio n. Three patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. The 4-year actuarial prog ression free and overall survival rates were 67% and 75%, respectively. The median time to progression was 14 months and all relapses were local. Fact ors significantly influencing progression-free or overall survival accordin g to univariate analysis included degree of resection and tumor grade. Surv ival and relapse were not significantly influenced by any factor according to multivariate analysis. The progression-free survivals after gross total resection of low- and high-grade tumors were 78% and 75%, respectively. Res pective rates after subtotal resection were 63% and 25%. Review of the lite rature demonstrates no role for radiotherapy after total resection of gangl ioglioma or after partial removal of low-grade tumor. Radiation therapy app ears to reduce the relapse rate after partial removal of high-grade lesions . A dose in excess of 5,000 cGy is necessary for ganglioglioma.