60Co Radiation Treatment of Pontine Gliomas

Abstract Of 21 patients with pontine glioma treated with external 60Co from 1958 to 1969, histological confirmation was obtained in 8. Twelve had a complete follow-up, and 2 of these 12 remained free of disease for more than five years after surgical exploration and visual confirmation of the tumor. No cyst evacuation was done. Only one patient had a Torkildsen's procedure prior to irradiation. Patients treated with large radiation fields had a better overall survival rate than patients treated with medium or small fields. Randomized clinical trials combining surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy are suggested.