Optic Glioma in Children with Type 1 Neurofibromatosis
M. Ben-Arush, H. Goldberg, A. Kuten, J. Guilbord, R. El-Hassid
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, The Northern Israel Oncology Center, and Division of Neurosurgery, Rambam Medical Center; and Technion School of Medicine, Haifa
During the period 1985-95 we treated 5 girls and 13 boys with optic glioma associated with Type 1 neurofibromatosis (median age 3 years, range 2-10 years). 6 were treated with radiotherapy alone, 1 with surgery and radiation therapy and 1 with chemotherapy in order to postpone irradiation to an older age; 1 is being followed with no therapy. All children are alive, 2-10 years from diagnosis (mean follow-up time 5.4 years). 3 had improvement of vision following therapy and in 4 visual ability stabilized, including the child being followed without treatment. In 1 vision deteriorated despite therapy.