For more information see the MGH Meningioma Homepage . Other benign brain and spine tumors such as epidermoid, dermoid, hemangioblastoma, colloid cyst, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, and craniopharyngioma. Primary Lymphoma of the Nervous System High dose methotrexate therapy in the absence of irradiation. This approach limits the need for drug administration into the spinal fluid and reduces potential morbidity of radiation therapy. Methotrexate alone provides tumor control within the brain, spinal fluid and covert systemic sites.
Drug administration is well tolerated.
High dose methotrexate induction of response followed by radiation therapy. Thirty five patients have been treated with median duration of response now in excess of 38 months. PCV is well tolerated with minimal risk of immunosuppression. The approach is applicable to oligodendroglioma of both benign and anaplastic histologies in addition to oligo-astrocytomas of benign and malignant histology. This approach also provides the basis for surgical decompression of tumor or definitive radiation therapy to smaller tumor volumes.