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Intracranial Ependymoma: Role for Chemotherapy

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Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 8

Part of the book series: Tumors of the Central Nervous System ((TCNS,volume 8))

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Abstract

Ependymomas arise from the ependymal cells of the cerebral ventricles, the central canal of the spinal cord, and cortical rests. Treatment is comprised primarily of surgery and radiotherapy with a poorly defined role for chemotherapy. Literature review relevant to treatment of ependymoma with chemotherapy. A role of chemotherapy in the management of ependymomas is controversial. Limited studies have suggested little or no benefit to chemotherapy in the up-front treatment of ependymoma. The literature regarding treatment with chemotherapy for recurrent ependymoma is meager and is comprised of studies in both children and adults. These studies indicate that chemotherapy has limited efficacy in the setting of recurrent disease and that no chemotherapy regimen has clear superiority over another albeit there is a trend for higher response rates in patients treated with platinum-based regimens. Additionally, dose-intensive chemotherapy offers no advantages over conventional dose chemotherapy in the treatment of recurrent intracranial ependymomas. No role for adjuvant chemotherapy has been demonstrated. Recurrent ependymomas are best managed by re-operation of tumors that are surgically accessible, by radiotherapy if not previously administered, and when inoperable or refractory to radiotherapy, by salvage chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Marc C. Chamberlain (Chief)

  2. Division of Neuro-Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seattle, Seattle, WA, USA

    Marc C. Chamberlain (Chief)

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  1. Marc C. Chamberlain
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Correspondence to Marc C. Chamberlain .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Kean University, Room 213, Library building, Morris Avenue 1000, Union, 07083, New Jersey, USA

    M.A. Hayat

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Chamberlain, M.C. (2012). Intracranial Ependymoma: Role for Chemotherapy. In: Hayat, M. (eds) Tumors of the Central Nervous System, Volume 8. Tumors of the Central Nervous System, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4213-0_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4213-0_33

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-4212-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-4213-0

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