Cystic cerebellar astrocytomas in childhood

Abstract

Thirty‐nine patients with low grade cystic cerebellar astrocytomas were treated at the University of Washington and Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Washington, between 1955 and 1977; 29 were treated with partial or complete resection alone, and 10 received radiation therapy after various types of surgical procedures. With a mean follow‐up time of 7 years, the survival rate for patients who had complete resections of their primary disease was 100%. The relapse‐free survival rate was 82%. The relapse‐free survival rate for patients treated primarily with partial resection alone was 36%. Postoperative irradiation after partial resection for both primary and recurrent disease resulted in a relapse‐free survival rate of 83%. If complete tumor excision is not possible, postoperative radiation therapy is recommended following partial resection. Copyright © 1979 American Cancer Society