Young age may predict a better outcome for children with diffuse pontine glioma

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Abstract
BACKGROUND. Because diffuse pontine glioma (DPG) is rare among young children, the outcome of affected patients is unknown. METHODS. The authors reviewed clinical and radiologic characteristics of all children aged 50% of this brainstem segment. Histologic confirmation was attempted in 2 patients who had atypical radiologic features at diagnosis. Four patients initially were observed only. All patients received therapy, which consisted of radiation therapy (RT) (n = 2), RT and chemotherapy (n = 6), or chemotherapy only (n = 2). Four patients died of tumor progression after a median of 0.7 years (range, 0.5–3.7 years). Six patients have survived for a median of 2.3 years (range, 0.9–8 years). The 3‐year progression‐free and overall survival rates were 45% ± 19% and 69% ± 19%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Children aged <3 years with DPG potentially may fare better than older patients with the same diagnosis despite the use of similar therapy. The current results suggested that DPG in younger children may be distinct biologically from similar tumors in older age groups. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.