Aim: Adult medulloblastomas (MB) are rare, and optimal post-craniospinal irradiation (CSI) chemotherapy is not yet defined. We investigated hematological toxicity in patients treated with platinum-etoposide (EP) post-CSI. Methods: Retrospective, single-institution study to determine hematological toxicity in adult MB patients treated with EP (1995-2022). Results: Thirteen patients with a median follow-up of 50 months (range, 10-233) were analyzed. Four discontinued treatment due to toxicity, one after 1, 3 after 3 cycles. Hematological toxicities included grade 3 (5 patients) and grade 4 (6 patients). Two patients experienced post-treatment progression and died 16 and 37 months from diagnosis. Conclusion: Post-CSI EP demonstrates acceptable hematological toxicity in adult MB. However, the small cohort precludes definitive survival outcome conclusions. Prospective studies for comprehensive comparisons with other regimens are needed in this context.
Keywords: adult medulloblastoma; cisplatin; craniospinal radiation; etoposide; medulloblastoma.
Our study aimed to understand the effect of a chemotherapy combination (platinum and etoposide) on blood counts in adult patients with medulloblastoma after craniospinal radiation. Medulloblastoma is a rare brain cancer in adults. We analyzed data from 13 adult patients with medulloblastoma. The results show that the treatment leads to significant blood count-related side effects. Four of the patients discontinued their treatment early. Blood counts improved again after completion of treatment. Two patients had the tumor grow back after treatment and died later. Overall, the effect from this chemotherapy combination on blood counts was felt to be acceptable. The number of patients in this study was small, and more research is needed to determine the overall effectiveness of this treatment.