Improvements in Treatment Raises Medulloblastoma Survival Rate
October 11, 2006
A recent issue of Lancet Oncology reports changes to the current treatment of medulloblastoma, a childhood brain cancer, can significantly raise the five-year survival rate. A clinical trial of 134 patients, led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, adapted the amount of radiation given to each patient and shortened the duration of intensive chemotherapy to receive the improved results.
The results of this trial are significant because they represent a dramatic change in the survival rate from two decades ago, when the treatment plan only consisted of surgery and radiation. According to St. Jude’s, the revised treatment increased the five-year survival rate for the 86 children with average risk from 70 to 80% and raised the rate of survival among the 48 high risk patients from 55 to 70%.
Not only did the adjustments increase survival rates, but the amount of radiation and the length of chemotherapy in average risk patients was reduced. Standard chemotherapy treatments last 48 weeks, but the chemotherapy in this study was completed in 16 weeks. The new treatment reduced the level of two chemotherapy drugs by 50-75%, while reducing radiation to the brain and spinal cord. This decrease holds promise for reducing the late effects for children treated with medulloblastoma.
<< Back
October 11, 2006
A recent issue of Lancet Oncology reports changes to the current treatment of medulloblastoma, a childhood brain cancer, can significantly raise the five-year survival rate. A clinical trial of 134 patients, led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, adapted the amount of radiation given to each patient and shortened the duration of intensive chemotherapy to receive the improved results.The results of this trial are significant because they represent a dramatic change in the survival rate from two decades ago, when the treatment plan only consisted of surgery and radiation. According to St. Jude’s, the revised treatment increased the five-year survival rate for the 86 children with average risk from 70 to 80% and raised the rate of survival among the 48 high risk patients from 55 to 70%.
Not only did the adjustments increase survival rates, but the amount of radiation and the length of chemotherapy in average risk patients was reduced. Standard chemotherapy treatments last 48 weeks, but the chemotherapy in this study was completed in 16 weeks. The new treatment reduced the level of two chemotherapy drugs by 50-75%, while reducing radiation to the brain and spinal cord. This decrease holds promise for reducing the late effects for children treated with medulloblastoma.
<< Back
