PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a stereotactic radiosurgery boost as part of the primary management of a minimally selected population of patients with malignant gliomas.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between June, 1991 and January, 1994 a stereotactic radiosurgery boost was given to 30 patients after completion of fractionated external beam radiotherapy. The study population consisted of 22 males and 8 females, with a range in age at treatment from 5 to 74 years (median: 54 years). Tumor volume ranged from 2.1 to 115.5 cubic centimeters (cc) (median: 24 cc). Histology included 17 with glioblastoma multiforme, 10 with anaplastic astrocytoma, 1 with a mixed anaplastic astrocytoma-oligodendroglioma, and 2 with a gliosarcoma. A complete resection was performed in 9 (30%) patients, while 18 (60%) underwent a subtotal resection, and 3 (10%) received a biopsy only. Fractionated radiation dose ranged from 44 to 62 Gy, with a median of 59.4 Gy. Prescribed stereotactic radiosurgery dose ranged from 0.5 to 18 Gy (median: 10 Gy), and the volume receiving the prescription dose ranged from 2.1 to 158.7 cc (median: 46 cc). The volume of tumor receiving the prescription dose ranged from 70-100% (median: 100%). One to four (median: 2) isocenters were used, and collimator size ranged from 12.5 to 50 mm (median size: 32.5 mm). The median minimum stereotactic radiosurgery dose was 70% of the prescription dose and the median maximum dose was 200% of the prescription dose.

RESULTS

With a minimum follow-up of 1 year from radiosurgery, 7 (23%) of the patients are still living and 22 (73%) have died of progressive disease. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 5 months after stereotactic radiosurgery. Follow-up for living patients ranged from 12 to 45 months, with a median of 30 months. The 1- and 2-year disease-specific survival from the date of diagnosis is 57 [95% confidence interval (CI) 39 to 74%] and 25% (95% CI 9 to 41%), respectively (median survival: 13.9 months). No significant acute or late toxicity has been observed.

CONCLUSION

Stereotactic radiosurgery provides a safe and feasible technique for dose escalation in the primary management of unselected malignant gliomas. Longer follow-up and a randomized prospective trial is required to more thoroughly evaluate the role of radiosurgery in the primary management of malignant gliomas.