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Neuropediatrics 1982; 13(2): 82-87
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1059602
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Gliomas of the Anterior Visual Pathway in Children Tumour Behaviour and Effect of Treatment

Viviann  Gunnesson-Nordin1 , Gösta  Blennow1 , Stanislaw  Garwicz1 , Arne E. Brun2 , Hans  Bynke3 , Torsten G. Landberg4 , Lars-Göran  Strömblad5
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
  • 2Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
  • 3Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
  • 4Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
  • 5Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
09 May 2008 (online)

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Abstract

An analysis of 16 cases of optic glioma in childhood is presented. All tumours were astrocytomas of the juvenile pilocytic of type low malignancy. In 7 of 13 patients with involvement of the chiasm there was a significant progression of tumour during the follow-up period, including 4 cases with fatal outcome. Patients under 5 years of age had a more unfavourable course than older children, but at the same time they had received lower doses of radiotherapy. The 5 patients treated with an absorbed dose of 39 Gy or more are alive without signs of progression 7-20 years after treatment. It is concluded from this material and from a survey of literature that many cases of optic glioma in childhood do not have a benign course. Guidelines for treatment are proposed.

Key words

Optic nerve glioma - Chiasmal glioma - Juvenile astrocytoma - Radiotherapy