Memory in low-grade glioma patients treated with radiotherapy or temozolomide: a correlative analysis of EORTC study 22033-26033.

Background: EORTC study 22033-26033 showed no difference in progression-free survival between high-risk low-grade glioma receiving either radiotherapy (RT) or temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy alone as primary treatment. Considering the potential long-term deleterious impact of RT on memory functioning, this study aims to determine whether TMZ is associated with less impaired memory functioning.

Methods: Using the Visual Verbal Learning Test (VVLT), memory functioning was evaluated at baseline and subsequently every 6 months.

Temozolomide chemotherapy versus radiotherapy in high-risk low-grade glioma (EORTC 22033-26033): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 intergroup study.

Background: Outcome of low-grade glioma (WHO grade II) is highly variable, reflecting molecular heterogeneity of the disease. We compared two different, single-modality treatment strategies of standard radiotherapy versus primary temozolomide chemotherapy in patients with low-grade glioma, and assessed progression-free survival outcomes and identified predictive molecular factors.

Methods: For this randomised, open-label, phase 3 intergroup study (EORTC 22033-26033), undertaken in 78 clinical centres in 19 countries, we included patients aged 18 years or older who had a low-grade (WHO grade II) glioma (astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma, or oligodendroglioma) with at least one high-risk feature (aged >40 years, progressive disease, tumour size >5 cm, tumour crossing the midline, or neurological symptoms), and without known HIV infection, chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection, or any condition that could interfere with oral drug administration.

Health-related quality of life in patients with high-risk low-grade glioma (EORTC 22033-26033): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 intergroup study.

Background: Temozolomide chemotherapy versus radiotherapy in patients with a high-risk low-grade glioma has been shown to have no significant effect on progression-free survival. If these treatments have a different effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), it might affect the choice of therapy. We postulated that temozolomide compromises HRQOL and global cognitive functioning to a lesser extent than does radiotherapy.

A European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer phase III trial of adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy versus observation in patients with one to three brain metastases from solid tumors after surgical resection or radiosurgery: quality-of-life results.

Purpose: This phase III trial compared adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with observation after either surgery or radiosurgery of a limited number of brain metastases in patients with stable solid tumors. Here, we report the health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) results.

Patients And Methods: HRQOL was a secondary end point in the trial.

Adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy versus observation after radiosurgery or surgical resection of one to three cerebral metastases: results of the EORTC 22952-26001 study.

Purpose: This European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer phase III trial assesses whether adjuvant whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) increases the duration of functional independence after surgery or radiosurgery of brain metastases.

Patients And Methods: Patients with one to three brain metastases of solid tumors (small-cell lung cancer excluded) with stable systemic disease or asymptomatic primary tumors and WHO performance status (PS) of 0 to 2 were treated with complete surgery or radiosurgery and randomly assigned to adjuvant WBRT (30 Gy in 10 fractions) or observation (OBS). The primary end point was time to WHO PS deterioration to more than 2.

Topotecan in combination with radiotherapy in unresectable glioblastoma: a phase 2 study.

Improving glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment with radio-chemotherapy remains a challenge. Topotecan is an attractive option as it exhibits growth inhibition of human glioma as well as brain penetration. The present study assessed the combination of radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fractions/40 days) and topotecan (0.

Cerebellar pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma: case report and literature review.

Background: PXA generally has histologic features characteristic of benign biological behavior, although malignant forms have been reported. This neoplasm has also been observed in atypical locations.

Methods: The authors report a case of cerebellar PXA with rapid malignant transformation in a 58-year-old woman and review the rare presentations and atypical features of this tumor.

Proposal of a scoring scale as a survival predictor in intracranial oligodendrogliomas.

Introduction: Histological, clinical and radiological features, and molecular genetic analysis are among the factors that have been considered in defining the prognosis of oligodendrogliomas (OD), but they have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to test out a scoring scale based on clinical, radiological, pathological and molecular features.

Material And Method: To identify factors with prognostic significance, we analyzed 87 treated patients with a histological diagnosis of OD.

Oligodendroglioma: clinical study and survival analysis correlated with chromosomal anomalies.

Object: Demonstration of the loss of chromosomes 1p and 19q in the presence of a brain neoplasm marks the emergence of genotype as a prognostic indicator. The authors report gene expression data for oligodendroglioma and correlate genotype with response to therapy. Gene expression subgroups may represent distinct types of disease.

Malignant transformation of intra-cranial epithelial cysts: systematic article review.

Introduction: Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are among the most benign intra cranial tumors. Their malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma is rare. The authors reviewed the literature.

[Standards, Options and Recommendations 2002 for the management of adult patients with intracranial gliomas (summary report)].

Context: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, which started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of French Cancer Centers (FNCLCC), the 20 French Regional Cancer Centers, and specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and the outcome of cancer patients.

Objective: To define clinical practice guidelines for the management of adult patients with intracranial glioma in collaboration with the Association of French-speaking Neuro-oncologists (Anocef) and the French society of neurosurgeons (SNCLF).