Published in:
01-04-2012 | Clinical Study - Patient Study
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors: the need for more active therapeutic measures in younger patients
Authors:
Ji Yeoun Lee, In-Kyeong Kim, Ji Hoon Phi, Kyu-Chang Wang, Byung-Kyu Cho, Sung-Hye Park, Hyo Seop Ahn, Il Han Kim, Seung-Ki Kim
Published in:
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|
Issue 2/2012
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Abstract
Despite active and aggressive therapeutic measures, atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are without doubt one of the most malignant brain tumors that occur during childhood. These tumors are more prevalent in children less than 3 years of age, and the prognosis is worse in these young children. Medical records of 14 patients diagnosed at our institution were reviewed. Patients diagnosed with AT/RT at our institution between 1997 and 2009 were identified. Clinical data for those patients with pathologic confirmation of AT/RTs were reviewed regarding surgery, adjuvant treatment, and survival. A total of 14 patients were identified. One patient who died 3 days after initial surgery was excluded, and 13 patients were recruited. Of the 13 patients, 7 were less than 1 year of age, and only 2 were over 3 years of age. Nine patients showed dissemination at diagnosis. Four patients were treated with radiation therapy (RTx), and 2 of these were less than 3 years of age. Ten patients had chemotherapy (CTx), and 3 of these underwent high dose chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 9 months. Univariable analysis revealed age more than 1 year, CTx, and RTx to be significant factors for better PFS and OS. None of the variables were significant in multivariable analysis. Young patients with AT/RT have a bad prognosis. An aggressive therapeutic strategy needs to be profiled for this age group.