Period of risk for recurrence in medulloblastoma

Abstract

Patients (99) with medulloblastoma who had surgery and radiotherapy, and a statistically sufficient follow-up period were analyzed for factors influencing survival and the relevance of the period of risk for recurrence hypothesis. This postulate states that the period of risk for recurrence of a congenital tumor is equal to the age at presentation of illness plus 9 mo. gestational time. The assumption is made that a tumor of embryonic origin will become manifest after a period of time determined by its inherent rate of growth and tumor cells surviving treatment will multiply and present with recurrence in an equal period of time. Ten of 43 patients survived the period of risk, a presumed cure rate of 23%. None of these patients subsequently developed evidence of tumor recurrence. Older patients at initial surgery had a somewhat greater survival rate for the first 5 yr after treatment (10 of 26 older patients (38%) vs. 15 of 54 younger patients (28%)), but by 10 yr there was no appreciable difference in survival rates between those over 16 yr of age and those younger. The beneficial effect of total neuraxis megavoltage radiotherapy is indicated by the improved 5 yr survival rate from 9 of 41 patients (22%) to 16 of 39 patients (41%) with newer techniques.