Purpose/ObjectivesTo ascertain the potential long term survival in disease-free pediatric patients with medulloblastoma (MB) or intracranial ependymoma (IE) who have survived past an average recurrence time frame of five years.Materials/MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program. Children (ages 0-19 years) from 1973 to 2010 with a diagnosis of MB and IE were identified, and patients with a known treatment status who underwent surgery and/or radiation were selected. A cohort was then created of potentially cured patients who survived five years from diagnosis. Kaplan Meier estimates were then utilized to model long term survival within this cohort.ResultsWe identified 745 patients with MB and 399 patients with IE who received surgery and/or radiation and were alive at five years. Patients with MB alive at five years had a 15-year and 30-year overall survival (OS) of 83% and 68%, respectively. Median survival was not reached at 37.6 years. Mean survival was 29.9 years (95% CI 28.8-31.1). Patients with IE alive at five years from diagnosis had a 15-year and 30-year OS of 80% and 53%, respectively. Median survival was 30.75 years (95% CI 27.8-33.7). Mean survival time was 27.4 years (95% CI 25.7-29.1). Patients with MB alive at five years had a 15-year and 30-year Cancer Specific survival (CSS) of 86% and 78%, respectively. Patients with IE alive at five years had a 15-year and 30-year CSS of 82% and 66%, respectively.ConclusionsLife expectancy after the first 5 years of survival for patients with MB and IE are promising. While recurrences still occur, the potential for a normal life span still exists in potentially cured patients.
Frandsen, J,
Long Term Life Expectancy for Common Pediatric Central Nervous System Malignancies: Ependymoma And Medulloblastoma. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045818.html
