P17.41 CLINICAL MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME OF HISTOLOGICALLY VERIFIED ADULT BRAINSTEM GLIOMAS IN SWITZERLAND: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF 21 PATIENTS

• Published in: Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.) Vol. 16; no. suppl 2; p. ii96
• Main Authors: Hundsberger, T., Tonder, M., Andreas, H., Brugge, D., Roelcke, U., Putora, P. M., Stupp, R., Weller, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2014
• ISSN: 1522-8517; 1523-5866
• DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nou174.370

BACKGROUND: Because of low incidence, mixed study populations and paucity of clinical and histological data, the management of adult brainstem gliomas remains non-standardized. We here describe characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with exclusively histologically confirmed adult brainstem gliomas. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of adults (>age 18 years) was conducted. Brainstem glioma was defined as a glial tumor located in the midbrain, pons or medulla. Characteristics, management and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: 21 patients (17 males; median age 41 years) were diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 by biopsy (n = 15), partial (n = 4) or complete resection (n = 2). Diagnoses were glioblastoma (WHO grade IV, n = 6), anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III, n = 7), diffuse astrocytoma (WHO grade II, n = 6) and pilocytic astrocytoma (WHO grade I, n = 2). Diffuse gliomas were mainly located in the pons and frequently showed MRI contrast enhancement. Endophytic growth was common (16 versus 5). Postoperative therapy in low-grade (WHO grade I/II) and high-grade gliomas (WHO grade III/IV) consisted of radiotherapy alone (3 in each group), radiochemotherapy (2 versus 6), chemotherapy alone (0 versus 2) or no postoperative therapy (3 versus 1). Median PFS (24.1 versus 5.8 months; log-rank, p = 0.009) and mOS (30.5 versus 11.5 months; log-rank, p = 0.028) was significantly better in WHO grade II than in WHO grade III/IV tumors. Second-line therapy considerably varied. CONCLUSIONS: Histologically verification of adult brainstem glioma is feasible and has an impact on postoperative treatment. Low-grade gliomas can simple be followed or treated with radiotherapy alone. Radiochemotherapy with temozolomide can safely be prescribed for high-grade gliomas without additional CNS toxicities.