Chemotherapy in patients with recurrent and progressive central neurocytoma

BACKGROUND. Recurrent central neurocytoma is very rare and to die authors' knowledge data regarding its response to chemotherapy currently are not ava ilable. METHODS. Three patients with progressive neurocytoma received chemotherapy after their informed consent was obtained. Disease recurred in two patients after surgery and radiotherapy and in one patient after surgery. The treat ment regimen was comprised of etoposide, 40 mg/m(2)/day, for 4 days; cispla tin, 25 mg/m(2)/day, for 4 days; and cyclophosphamide, 1000 mg/m(2), on Day 4; this cycle was repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS. Stabilization of disease was observed in 2 patients and complete r emission was observed in 1 patient; at last follow-up, these responses had been maintained for 15 months, 18 months, and 36 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. In this small series, this therapeutic regimen led to long ter m disease reduction, and merits further study. Cancer 2000;88:169-74. (C) 2 000 American Cancer Society.