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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2015; 76(01): 30-38
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1382781
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Survival in Granular Cell Astrocytomas

Benjamin Voellger
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
*   Benjamin Voellger and Jorge Humberto Tapia-Perez contributed equally.
,
Jorge Humberto Tapia-Perez
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
*   Benjamin Voellger and Jorge Humberto Tapia-Perez contributed equally.
,
Rosita Rupa
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Dimitrios Karagiannis
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Christian Mawrin
2   Department of Neuropathology, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Elmar Kirches
2   Department of Neuropathology, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Thomas Schneider
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

11 October 2013

03 March 2014

Publication Date:
29 July 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Background Granular cell astrocytomas (GCAs) are rarely encountered aggressive glial neoplasms. Treatment options comprise surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Due to the small number of cases, a standard therapeutic regimen for GCA does not exist.

Material and Methods We report on the case of a 64-year-old woman with GCA subjected to tumor biopsy followed by radiochemotherapy with temozolomide. We provide clinical, histopathologic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings as well as a complete follow-up. To assess the relation of age, gender, time of publication, and different treatment options with survival we performed log-rank tests and calculated Cox regression models and hazard ratios in data from all available reports on GCA.

Results A significant difference in survival rates in favor of adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy) at 12 months was found. Age > 70 years at the time of diagnosis had a significantly unfavorable impact on survival at 12 months. Although not statistically significant, a tendency toward higher probability of survival at 12 months was found in cases reported after 2002. In surgically treated patients, we could not find a significant impact of extent of resection on survival. A significant impact of gender on survival was not found.

Conclusion Adjuvant therapy is significantly related to a higher probability of survival at 12 months and may therefore be recommended for patients with a GCA. Further analysis of these rare neoplasms is warranted.

Keywords

granular cell astrocytoma - adjuvant therapy - survival
 

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