RADIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HIGH GRADE ASTROCYTOMAS: A DIFFERENT FRACTIONATION SCHEME (CHART)

Conventional fractionated radiotherapy could not improve local control and long term survival rates in high grade astrocytomas. Altered fractionation schemes may overcome radioresistance due to high proliferation rates. In this study continous, hyperfractionated, accelerated, radiotherapy was investigated. Fractionated doses of 105 cGy was given 3 times daily with a 6 hour interfraction interval in 19 days by Co 60. 3990 cGy tumour dose was delivered to whole brain in 38 fractions and 5985 cGy tumour dose was delivered to the tumour, in 57 fractions by concomittant boost therapy. Survival rates of 36 patients were analyzed. Median survival was 58 weeks and one year survival rate was %62. Early side effects were tolerable. Objective response rate was %45 in patients with norological deficits. In high grade astrocytomas, this is a fractionation model with tolerable early side effects, short overall treatment time, improving quality of life and survival.