Background: Medulloblastoma represents 20% of all tumors of the central nervous system. Patients with partial resection of the tumor and those with extension into the neuraxis at diagnosis have been identified as high-risk patients. The objective of our study was to determine tumor response, survival rates and toxicity with a new scheme of treatment with carboplatin, etoposide and radiotherapy.
Methods: All patients received chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide every 4 weeks for four courses, hyperfractionated radiotherapy, and another four courses of the above chemotherapy scheme. Tumor response was classified, and global and disease-free survival rates were calculated according to the actuarial survival method.
Results: A total of 26 patients were included, with a median age of 6.9 years. Nineteen achieved complete response after the first four courses of chemotherapy, and two more had a complete response after radiotherapy. A total of seven children have died, three of whom did not respond to initial treatment. Global and disease-free survival rates were 69% and 64%, respectively, at 60 months of follow-up. There was no renal or auditory toxicity. Hematological toxicity was transitory and reversible.
Conclusions: This scheme of treatment is effective and can be safely used for pediatric patients with high-risk medulloblastomas. Toxicity was not significant, and survival is similar to other reports.