Abstract
Background: The prognosis for children with M1 medulloblastoma (positive CSF cytology) has not been well-defined. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 285 newly diagnosed medulloblastoma patients treated between 1984 and 2006. Older children received post-operative craniospinal and tumor bed irradiation; radiotherapy for younger children depended on treatment era and physician/family preference. Results: 55 patients were <3 years old and 230 patients were ≥ 3 years old at diagnosis. We detected significant (P < 0.0001) associations between M1 disease and EFS for the entire cohort and for both younger and older patients. Among younger children, M1 patients had lower EFS than M0 (P = 0.0044). Conclusions: Children <3 years old with M1 medulloblastoma fared poorly in our small series. Survival for older children with M1 disease treated with higher-dose CSI was better than that of M2/M3 patients, but still less than optimal; our findings do not support reduction in therapy for either cohort.
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This work was supported by a Cancer Center (CORE) Support Grant (CA 21765) from the National Institutes of Health, Musicians against Childhood Cancer (MACC), the Noyes Foundation, the Ryan McGhee Foundation, Anderson Foundation and the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).
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Sanders, R.P., Onar, A., Boyett, J.M. et al. M1 Medulloblastoma: high risk at any age. J Neurooncol 90, 351–355 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9671-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9671-9