Abstract
BACKGROUND
Proton therapy has been increasingly used to treat pediatric brain tumor. However, there were few reports about radiation-induced cerebral microbleeds(CMBs) and cavernous malformation among these patients. Here we evaluate the incidence and risk factor of CMBs with MR imaging.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
We retrospectively identified patients with germ cell tumor treated with whole ventricle irradiation of 30.6 Gy using proton therapy at the Tsukuba University Hospital between 2004 and 2017. CMBs were characterized by examination of MR imaging scan including susceptibility-weighted imaging and T2* weighed gradient-recalled echo sequence.
RESULT
The mean age at the time of proton therapy was 14.5 years. The median follow-up duration was 62.3 months. Three patients were treated by local boost in addition to whole ventricle irradiation. CMBs were found in 78% at 5 years, and 88% at 10 years from irradiation. Over 80% of CMBs occurred in area of the brain exposed to 30 Gy.
CONCLUSION
This study indicated over 30 Gy irradiation may become a risk factor for development of CMBs. Although the correlation between development of CMBs and cognitive function, proton therapy might have an advantage to reduce late sequelae with decreasing irradiating dose to surrounding normal brain tissue.
A New Microbeam Scanned Proton Therapy Option and Example CNS Germ Cell Tumor Treatment Planning Exercise With Improved Cognitive Sparing
