Spinal cord astrocytoma: multidisciplinary experience

Background Astrocytomas of the spinal cord have rarely been reported. We examined our experience, treatment and outcome of patients treated during the last four years. Material and methods We reviewed the charts from patients treated for this neoplasm in a multidisciplinary team of Granada, Spain. T...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical & translational oncology 2011-03, Vol.13 (3), p.185-188
Main Authors: Tovar Martín, M. Isabel, Ramírez, Escarlata López, Rojas, Enrique Saura, Castillo, Gregorio Arregui, Herrera, Mercedes Zurita
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use
Astrocytoma - pathology
Astrocytoma - therapy
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neurosurgical Procedures
Oncology
Radiotherapy
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord Neoplasms - pathology
Spinal Cord Neoplasms - therapy
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Background Astrocytomas of the spinal cord have rarely been reported. We examined our experience, treatment and outcome of patients treated during the last four years. Material and methods We reviewed the charts from patients treated for this neoplasm in a multidisciplinary team of Granada, Spain. The information was retrospectively obtained from the patients’ hospital records. The patients were evaluated with clinical history, physical exam, spinal magnetic resonance (MR), surgery, location and histology, treatment, and follow-up. Results In the last four years, we have treated 37 astrocytomas, of which only 3 were intramedullary. All patients underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Two patients died, but one is alive and practically asymtomatic. Conclusion The optimal treatment remains controversial. Radiotherapy should be considered for tumors with high-grade histopathology, clinically progressive and when a substantial resection cannot be achieved. New therapeutic strategies need to be studied to improve survival
ISSN:1699-048X
1699-3055
DOI:10.1007/s12094-011-0638-5