MALIGNANT CEREBELLAR ASTROCYTOMA DEVELOPING 15 YEARS AFTER RADIATION-THERAPY FOR A MEDULLOBLASTOMA

A case of malignant cerebellar astrocytoma occurring 15 years after th e radiation therapy for a medulloblastoma is reported. The tumor devel oped at the same site of irradiation after a sufficient latent period and was completely different from medulloblastoma in its histology. Th is tumor fulfilled the criteria of radiation-induced neoplasm. Only se ven similar cases have been reported up to the present. Whole neuraxis irradiation following a gross total resection is a standard treatment for medulloblastoma, but the possibility of the development of radiat ion-induced tumors must be borne in mind for a long time after the rad iation therapy for medulloblastoma. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.