Pharmacotherapy of epileptic seizures in glioma patients: who, when, why and how long?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The risk for patients with primary brain tumors of experiencing an epileptic seizure at least once in the course of disease probably exceeds 50%, depending on tumor location and tumor type. Several aspects regarding the role of anticonvulsants in the treatment of brain tumor patients have remained controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We reviewed the seizure history in 107 patients undergoing a surgical procedure for glioma at our institution.

RESULTS:

The overall seizure incidence was 68%. Pre-operative seizures did not predict the occurrence of post-operative seizures. After surgery, postoperative chemo- or radiotherapy and anticonvulsive therapy one third of patients was seizure-free whereas one third showed frequent seizures despite this treatment. Seizure frequency increased regardless of anticonvulsive treatment with progressive or recurrent tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on a literature review and our institutional experience, we delineate some recommendations for the management of seizures in patients with brain tumors.

• Authors: Wolfgang Wick, Oliver Menn, Christoph Meisner, Joachim Steinbach, Mirjam Hermisson, Marcos Tatagiba, Michael Weller
• Journal: Onkologie (Onkologie) Vol. 28 Issue 8-9 Pg. 391-6 (Aug 2005) ISSN: 0378-584X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16160401 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Antineoplastic Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anticonvulsants (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Brain Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, surgery)
• Cerebral Cortex (drug effects, surgery)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Disease Progression
• Drug Interactions
• Epilepsies, Partial (drug therapy, etiology)
• Female
• Glioma (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, surgery)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (complications, diagnosis)
• Retrospective Studies