PofoliaShared via Pofolia

Diagnostics· 2026Q2

Delayed Imaging Response After Chemoradiotherapy in a Patient with Unresectable Brainstem Pilocytic Astrocytoma

Yan Shen, Chao Li, Fengbo Huang, Wei Qian et al.

Short summary

A pilocytic astrocytoma in an adult patient's brainstem showed no immediate tumor size change after chemoradiotherapy (CRT), but significant shrinkage 15 months post-radiotherapy, leading to sustained partial remission.

AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.

Abstract

Adult brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are rare malignant tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) that are difficult to resect completely via surgery, so chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the primary treatment modality. However, there is substantial interpatient variability in therapeutic response to CRT among patients with BSGs. Here we present a case of a 41-year-old man who had experienced right limb weakness for 3 months. Brain MRI showed a solid-cystic mass in the brainstem, involving the medulla oblongata and the cervical spinal cord. The pathological diagnosis was pilocytic astrocytoma, CNS WHO Grade 1. Since the solid-cystic mass in the brainstem was unresectable, the patient received concurrent CRT followed by temozolomide (TMZ) maintenance chemotherapy. No significant change in tumor size was observed after concurrent CRT. Notably, 15 months after radiotherapy (19 months since the initial diagnosis), the tumor size decreased significantly. Up to the latest follow-up, the patient has maintained sustained partial remission.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Diagnostics, 2026 · DOI ↗

TakeawaysIn the app
Key pointsIn the app
Ask the paperIn the app

The rest is in the Pofolia app

Takeaways, key points and questions to the paper; new summaries every day for your field. Free.

Sign in on the web to open

Field: Genetics

GeneticsMedicine