Is radiotherapy effective for brainstem glioma?

Is radiotherapy effective for brainstem glioma? Brainstem glioma (BSG) surgery is very difficult, and its treatment is based on comprehensive treatment, including new therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, gene targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Generally speaking, radiotherapy is the standard treatment for DIPGs (diffuse endogenous gliomas of the pontine), but it can only temporarily improve symptoms and cannot prolong its overall survival. Chemotherapy is effective for partial recurrence or residual postoperative PAs (pilocytic astrocytoma), but various chemotherapy regimens have not significantly improved the prognosis of DIPGs. Surgery can significantly improve the prognosis of exogenous and focal low-grade tumors.

Under what circumstances need radiotherapy?

DIPGs; high-grade BSG; low-grade BSG: (1) exogenous type (type Ⅰ) and focal endogenous type (type Ⅱa): close observation after total resection of the tumor, radiotherapy is feasible for tumor progression; partial resection or biopsy Depending on the results of molecular pathology, patients choose radiotherapy and (or) chemotherapy, or regular observation, and treatment should be given when the tumor progresses. (2) Canopy type (Type Ⅲa), aqueduct type (Type Ⅲb), and NF-1 related (Type Ⅲc) BSG: Observe first, choose surgical resection or stereotactic biopsy when the tumor progresses to clarify histopathology and molecular Pathological type, guide follow-up treatment.

Under what circumstances is not suitable for radiotherapy?

· Those who are less than 3 years old; · those with poor general conditions or severe brainstem failure and unable to tolerate radiotherapy; · those with severe hydrocephalus that have not been treated; · those with unhealed wounds or local infections; · it is recommended that the pathological diagnosis be as clear as possible Then choose radiotherapy to avoid misdiagnosis and treatment.

What are the adverse reactions of radiotherapy?

Adverse reactions of radiotherapy are divided into 3 different types according to the time of occurrence and clinical manifestations: acute (occurring within 6 weeks after radiotherapy), subacute (occurring 6 weeks to 6 months after radiotherapy), and late (months to several years after radiotherapy) ). Acute and subacute radiation injury may be caused by vasodilation, damage to the blood-brain barrier and edema.

The acute reaction of brainstem radiotherapy is manifested as aggravation of previous neurological dysfunction or new neurological dysfunction; MRI manifests as thickening of the brainstem and diffuse edema. The application of glucocorticoid can relieve the symptoms. If there are changes in breathing, heartbeat frequency and rhythm after radiotherapy for medullary tumors, the risk of death from radiotherapy is significantly increased. Brainstem edema that is difficult to control during or after radiotherapy can be treated with targeted anti-angiogenic drugs to relieve symptoms.

Pseudoprogression usually occurs within 2 to 3 months after temozolomide concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is a subacute radiation reaction. The pathological changes are early radiation necrosis, and most of them can be cured by themselves. Late radiation reactions are often progressive and irreversible radiation necrosis, which is manifested as the continuous deterioration of neurological dysfunction and should be avoided as much as possible.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS is a special form of radiotherapy. Under the guidance of a stereotactic headgear, a one-time high-dose radiation or a large split dose (≤5 times) is precisely focused on the target area, which can effectively kill tumor cells, and its mechanical error In the millimeter range, the most common equipment includes gamma knife, cyber knife, modified linear accelerator, and proton beam equipment. This kind of single or high fractional dose SRS treatment generally requires a small tumor volume and clear boundaries. From the perspective of evidence-based medicine, currently only grade IV and grade V evidence-based medicine support the gamma knife treatment of certain BSG.

1. Indications

SRS is suitable for the treatment of residual or recurring localized gliomas after surgery and/or radiotherapy, especially low-grade gliomas with relatively clear boundaries such as PAs.

2. Contraindications

DIPGs should not be treated with stereotactic radiotherapy.

3. Treatment plan

· Positioning: MRI-enhanced thin scan spoiler gradient echo sequence and T2 sequence are the most common positioning sequences. Currently, multi-modal image fusion positioning such as CT, MRI and PET can be realized. · Dosimetry: Usually a 50% isodose curve is used to cover the periphery of the lesion, and the central and peripheral doses are formulated according to the nature of the lesion, the size of the lesion, and the structure around the lesion.

The dose to the normal brain stem of a single irradiation treatment does not exceed 15 Gy. The peripheral prescription dose depends on the size of the lesion, and the dose range is 12 to 16 Gy. If the patient has received other radiotherapy before surgery, the therapeutic dose should be adjusted according to the radiotherapy history.

· Postoperative treatment: It is recommended to give intravenous methylprednisolone 40 mg or dexamethasone 10 mg before or after treatment. Local disinfection and anti-inflammatory treatment should be performed on the pierced head nail, and antibiotics should be given if necessary.

4. Adverse reactions

· Radiation brain edema: mannitol, glucocorticoid, bevacizumab, hyperbaric oxygen, etc. can be used to reduce brain edema. · Obstructive hydrocephalus: It is recommended to perform ventricular-abdominal shunt surgery in time. · Impaired nerve function or focal nerve function damage: general neurotrophic and supportive treatment, including drug therapy and hyperbaric oxygen.

Evaluation of the efficacy of radiotherapy

It is recommended to use the 2010 version of the response assessment in neuro-oncology (RANO) to assess the response of tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Note: Both complete remission and partial remission need to be confirmed by imaging examination after 4 weeks. If it is not confirmed, the disease should be regarded as stable (RANO is the 2010 version of the neuro-tumor evaluation standard, and FLAIR is the fluid attenuation inversion recovery sequence)

(source:internet, reference only)

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