How would you manage a multiply recurrent intramedullary pilocytic astrocytoma following re-resection?
If pursuing reirradiation, what dose-fractionation regimen would you recommend?
The patient is s/p resection of a grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma of the thoracic spine with local recurrence and re-resection, with pathology showing a high MIB proliferation index (15%) with comment of oligodendroglioma-looking cells. They subsequently received adjuvant RT with 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy per fraction 6 years ago and also developed leptomeningeal disease 3 years ago, which was treated with CSI (excluding original treatment area). The patient now has a local recurrence and is s/p intradural intramedullary tumor excision and has bilateral lower extremity paralysis with some ability to move toes. How do the time from the previous radiation course and patient performance status change recommendations?
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Radiation Oncology · University of Arizona
Answered on
For a conventional pilocytic astrocytoma, the Ki-67 index is typically <2–5%, with values above 10% being unusual. A recurrence with a MIB of 15% raises the possibility of a more biologically aggressive tumor, even if the histologic diagnosis remains pilocytic astrocytoma. As such, I would want to k...
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