Paclitaxel Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Children With Newly Diagnosed Brain Stem Glioma
Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors focused on measuring untreated childhood brain stem glioma
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Newly diagnosed, diffuse, intrinsic brain stem glioma by clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Histologic verification not required Intrinsic (more than 50% intra-axial) involvement of the pons, pons and medulla, pons and midbrain, or entire brain stem allowed Contiguous involvement of the thalamus or upper cervical cord allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 3 to 21 at diagnosis Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 10.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) or serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) less than 2.5 times normal Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times normal Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use a highly effective method of contraception for female patients or barrier contraception for male patients PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroid therapy for increased intracranial pressure allowed Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent cytochrome P450-inducing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin or carbamazepine) during paclitaxel therapy Other concurrent anticonvulsants (e.g., valproic acid) for pre-existing seizure disorder allowed
Sites / Locations
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia