Intramedullary spinal cord tumors: Patterns of care in Victoria from 1998-2000

Abstract

Aim: This study describes the management of and outcomes for adult patients with newly diagnosed intramedullary spinal cord tumors during 1998-2000 in Victoria. Methods: The adult patients were identified in aretrospective cohort study conducted by surveying doctors involved in managing incident glioma cases identified from the population-based Victorian Cancer Registry. Results: Sixteen patients were considered eligible for this review. Of these 15 (94%) had a histological diagnosis: an ependymoma was diagnosed in 13 patients (81%). A complete macroscopic resection was achieved in eight patients (50%). A variety of tumor types and grades were observed with surgery and radiotherapy the mains..