Brainstem gliomas are heterogenous group of tumors with varying biological behaviour. They share a major part in causing brain tumors related deaths in paediatric patients. A large number of trials have been done so far with the use of different radiotherapy regimes and the use of different chemotherapeutic agents with a view to improve the overall survival but no statistical significant survival impact has been attained. The median survival is generally one year^[11].

Keywords:  Paediatric brainstem glioma .overall survival. radiotherapy.

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10. Survival rates and prognostic predictors of high grade brain stem gliomas in childhood:a systematic review and  meta-analysis Hadeel Hassan1,2  · Anne Pinches  Susan V. Picton2  · Robert S. Phillips
11. Brainstem Glioma: A Review Sean A. Grimm & Marc C. Chamberlain
12. Bartels U et al. Proceedings of the diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) Toronto Think Tank: advancing basic and translational research and cooperation in DIPG. J Neurooncol. 2011;105 (1):119–25. This is a transcript of a meeting of DIDG experts that discusses state-of-the-art treatment and basic/translational research in the field.
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14. Sharp JR et al. A multi-centre Canadian pilot study of metronomic temozolomide combined with radiotherapy for newly diagnosed paediatric brainstem glioma. Eur J Cancer. 2010;46(18):3271–9.
15. Jenkin RD et al. Brain-stem tumors in childhood: a prospective randomized trial of irradiation with and without adjuvant CCNU, VCR, and prednisone. A report of the Childrens Cancer Study Group. J Neurosurg. 1987;66(2):227–33.

Dr Rajan Yadav

Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Gujarat Cancer and Research, Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India