BACKGROUND: Current controversies in pediatric intracranial ependymoma include histologic categorization and management. Most of our knowledge of this disease comes from single-institution reports. METHODS: A literature search was done, covering the period 1976-1996. The aim of this review is to analyze the prognostic factors reported in the literature over the last 20 years. RESULTS: Forty-five series were reviewed, including more than 1,400 children. The largest series reported on 92 patients, and the accrual rate ranged from 0.32-12 patients per year. None of the prognostic factors reported achieved a consensus throughout the different series. Histology remains a major issue, and the range in the incidence of anaplastic ependymo mas (7-89%) highlights the difficulty in agreeing on a histological grading system. The role of surgery on the outcome seems to be determinant. Recent series based on homogeneous imaging-documented extents of resection strongly support the benefit of postoperative radiotherapy. The lack of a proven, effective chemotherapy regimen precludes its use except in prospective pilot studies. CONCLUSIONS: Limited information is available from single-institution reports in ependymoma. Only large national or international studies can provide enough information to allow a multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors, and thus lead to new therapeutic proposals.
BACKGROUND: Current controversies in pediatric intracranial ependymoma include histologic categorization and management. Most of our knowledge of this disease comes from single-institution reports. METHODS: A literature search was done, covering the period 1976-1996. The aim of this review is to analyze the prognostic factors reported in the literature over the last 20 years. RESULTS: Forty-five series were reviewed, including more than 1,400 children. The largest series reported on 92 patients, and the accrual rate ranged from 0.32-12 patients per year. None of the prognostic factors reported achieved a consensus throughout the different series. Histology remains a major issue, and the range in the incidence of anaplastic ependymo mas (7-89%) highlights the difficulty in agreeing on a histological grading system. The role of surgery on the outcome seems to be determinant. Recent series based on homogeneous imaging-documented extents of resection strongly support the benefit of postoperative radiotherapy. The lack of a proven, effective chemotherapy regimen precludes its use except in prospective pilot studies. CONCLUSIONS: Limited information is available from single-institution reports in ependymoma. Only large national or international studies can provide enough information to allow a multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors, and thus lead to new therapeutic proposals.
Authors: Tamir Ailon; Christopher Dunham; Anne-Sophie Carret; Uri Tabori; P Daniel Mcneely; Shayna Zelcer; Beverley Wilson; Lucie Lafay-Cousin; Donna Johnston; David D Eisenstat; Marianna Silva; Nada Jabado; Karen Jane Goddard; Chris Fryer; Glenda Hendson; Cynthia Hawkins; Sandra Dunn; Stephen Yip; Ashutosh Singhal; Juliette Hukin Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2014-11-13 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Matthew Koshy; Shayna Rich; Thomas E Merchant; Usama Mahmood; William F Regine; Young Kwok Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2011-06-03 Impact factor: 4.130
Authors: Sara Dyer; Emma Prebble; Val Davison; Paul Davies; Pramila Ramani; David Ellison; Richard Grundy Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2002-12 Impact factor: 4.307