The effects and results of the application of temozolomid in recurring malignant gliomas and brain stem gliomas

Objective: There is no effective treatment model for recurring malignant central nervous system (SSS) seen especially during childhood. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects and results of oral Temozolomid application after the recurrence in the patients who had previously been diagnosed with having malignant gliomas or brain stem gliomas and had received treatment (surgical, chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy)Instrument and Method: This study was carried out on 20 patients who had previously been diagnosed with having malignant gliomas or brain stem gliomas and had received treatment at Vienna Medical University, Department of Child Health and Diseases, Oncology Service between the dates of Oktober 1999 and March 2002.In this study, out of 10 female and 10 male patients, 17 patients were diagnosed histologically. All the patients received chemotherapy according to their histological and clinical diagnoses, and 18 patients received radiotherapy treatment.We gave Temozolomid to 19 patients 200 mg/m2/day * 5 days (1000mg/m2) and to one patient 15mg/m2/day * 5 days (750 mg/m2). We kept track of the progression of the disease with the help of neurological and radiological display methods.Findings: Upon seeing partial remission in 4 (20%) patients, a stabile response in 4 (20%) patients and a proggesion in 8 (40%) patients, their treatment was ceased. However, 4 (20%) patients passed away during their Temozolomid treatment (2 - 10 months) after showing some progression.It was observed that the patients easily tolerated the Temozolomid treatment and their hospital stay was far shorter.Result: The effect of Temozolomid treatment after the recurrence does not show much difference compared to other agents in the patients with malignant brain tumour who have received treatment before.Key words: recurrent malignant gliomas, brain stem gliomas, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Temozolomid