TY - JOUR
T1 - Medulloblastoma and central nervous system germ cell tumors in adults
T2 - is pediatric experience applicable?
AU - Mascarin, Maurizio
AU - Coassin, Elisa
AU - Franceschi, Enrico
AU - Gandola, Lorenza
AU - Carrabba, Giorgio
AU - Brandes, Alba A.
AU - Massimino, Maura
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Medulloblastoma and central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors are very rare in adults, while they account for 25% and 5% of brain tumors in children, respectively (Pastore et al. Eur J Cancer 42:2064–208, 2006). Pediatric experiences, mostly from randomized and controlled clinical trials, have led to different tailored treatments, based on various risk factors, including histology, and extent of disease. For medulloblastoma, biological features have recently emerged that enable therapies to be scaled down in some cases, or pursued more aggressively in the event of chromosomal and/or genetic alterations (Massimino et al. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 105:35–51, 2016). Such refinements are still impossible for adult patients due to the lack of similar clinical trials that might provide the same or a different understanding regarding patients’ prognosis, long-term survival, quality of life, and acute and late toxicities. This review aims to contribute to the debate on the treatment of adults with these two diseases and promote the creation of broad-based, national and international trials to advance our knowledge in this area and to share the skills between pediatric and adult oncologists as adolescent and young adults (AYA) brain tumor national boards are currently requiring.
AB - Medulloblastoma and central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors are very rare in adults, while they account for 25% and 5% of brain tumors in children, respectively (Pastore et al. Eur J Cancer 42:2064–208, 2006). Pediatric experiences, mostly from randomized and controlled clinical trials, have led to different tailored treatments, based on various risk factors, including histology, and extent of disease. For medulloblastoma, biological features have recently emerged that enable therapies to be scaled down in some cases, or pursued more aggressively in the event of chromosomal and/or genetic alterations (Massimino et al. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 105:35–51, 2016). Such refinements are still impossible for adult patients due to the lack of similar clinical trials that might provide the same or a different understanding regarding patients’ prognosis, long-term survival, quality of life, and acute and late toxicities. This review aims to contribute to the debate on the treatment of adults with these two diseases and promote the creation of broad-based, national and international trials to advance our knowledge in this area and to share the skills between pediatric and adult oncologists as adolescent and young adults (AYA) brain tumor national boards are currently requiring.
KW - Adults
KW - Childhood cancers
KW - CNS germ cell tumors
KW - Medulloblastoma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071028949&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85071028949&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00381-019-04340-8
DO - 10.1007/s00381-019-04340-8
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85071028949
VL - 35
SP - 2279
EP - 2287
JO - Child's Nervous System
JF - Child's Nervous System
SN - 0256-7040
IS - 12
ER -