J Korean Soc Ther Radiol.
1995 Mar;13(1):1-8.
Radiotherapy for the Low-grade Astrocytomas
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Therapeutic Radiology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
- 2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy for the low-grade astrocytomas and confirm the variables influencing treatment results.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-six patients with low-grade astrocytoma received radiotherapy after surgical removal (36 patients) or biopsy (10 patients) from 1979 to 1990. Twenty patients had grade I histology and 26 had grade II. External radiotherapy was done by conventional schedule with the total dose of 45 to 60 Gy (median; 54 Gy). The median follow-up period was 5 years.
RESULTS
The 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 80% and 72%, respectively and the 2-year and 5-year progression-free survival was 75% and 63%, respectively. The survival was influenced significantly by the histologic grade, the gistologic type, and performance status. Major complication was not found.
CONCLUSION
In spite of good survival, the local failure was still the major problem. Age and the extent of surgery as well as three favorable factors should be considered in the future treatments.
