Successful chemotherapy for newly diagnosed aggressive oligodendroglioma.

We treated 3 patients with newly diagnosed aggressive oligodendroglioma with chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy and observed responses. All had residual or progressive tumor following initial surgery. We used a combination called PCV-3 because recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma responds predictably to this regimen. Chemotherapy for response induction followed by radiotherapy for consolidation is feasible and effective initial treatment for this tumor.