CHEMOTHERAPY FOR AGGRESSIVE OR ANAPLASTIC HIGH-GRADE OLIGODENDROGLIOMAS AND OLIGOASTROCYTOMAS - BETTER THAN A SALVAGE TREATMENT

This series reports a pilot study of chemotherapy conducted for newly diagnosed and relapsing patients with oligodendrogliomas and oligoastr ocytomas. Twenty-three patients with clinically or histologically aggr essive tumours were eligible to receive procarbazine CCNU and vincrist ine (PCV) chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in previously non irra diated patients. Sixteen (69%) responded to chemotherapy with complete responses in two patients and partial responses in 14. Previously irr adiated patients were as likely to respond to PCV as those previously non irradiated. An over 1-year history of seizures was the main clinic al prognostic factor of response. All toxicities were manageable and n o treatment related deaths occurred. Chemotherapy is an effective trea tment in aggressive oligodendrogliomas. Further studies must assess th e role of chemotherapy in the multidisciplinary management of oligoden droglioma.