Treatment of intracranial ependymoma by surgery alone.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the safety of deferring radiotherapy in pediatric intracranial ependymoma following a radiographically confirmed gross total resection in patients with localized disease.

METHODS

Children over age 3 were recruited prospectively from 1990 to 1997, following a surgical impression and radiologic confirmation of a gross total resection of an intracranial ependymoma.

RESULTS

10/32 cases of intracranial ependymomas were both eligible and gave consent. 7 remain free of disease without further intervention. 3 recurred, 2 were salvaged with surgery and radiotherapy, none died.

CONCLUSIONS

Deferral of radiotherapy following gross total resection alone is a safe option in supratentorial ependymomas. The pattern of recurrence is usually local and patients may be salvaged with additional surgery with or without radiotherapy.