Optic glioma in children. Review of 16 cases given megavoltage radiation therapy.

From 1967 to 1975, 16 consecutive children with optic-tract glioma were treated with postoperative irradiation. Clinical, surgical and pathologic findings have been summarized. Doses ranged from 4,000 to 6,000 rad. As of 1976, follow-up had been obtained in 13 of 16 children. 9 of 13 survived and 3 were lost to follow-up. We have been unable to relate survival to age, sex, pathologic grade, radiation dose of field size. Although all patients in our series were irradiated, it appears that survival is excellent for those with gliomas that are confined to the optic nerve or chiasm without hydrocephalus even if postoperative irradiation is not given. In patients with extension beyond the chiasm or with hydrocephalus, survival may be improved by the addition of irradiation. A staging system is proposed.