[Chemoradiation for malignant brain tumors]

Abstract

The author reviewed treatment results of chemoradiation therapy for malignant brain tumors. For astrocytic tumors, radiation therapy combined with radiosensitizing chemotherapeutic agents, mainly nitrosourea compounds (BCNU or ACNU), has been a standard treatment modality for a long time. The therapy is more effective for anaplastic astrocytoma than glioblastoma. The chemoradiation therapy is now applied for medulloblastoma; it prolonged 5-year survival up to 70%. Metastatic brain tumors are frequently treated by radiation therapy alone. When combined with cisplatin, radiation therapy shows a more excellent antitumor effect.