Post-Surgical Spontaneous Regression of Residual Cerebellar Astocytoma

Spontaneous regression of residual cerebellar astrocytoma following subtotal resection is reported in a 2-year-old boy followed for 11 years at the University of British Columbia, Canada. Tumor tissue left adjacent to the lateral wall of the fourth ventricle because of intraoperative bradycardia remained stable for 2 years. Between 2 and 7 years, repeated CT scans showed progressive decrease in size of the tumor, which became more cystic in appearance. The most recent scan at 11 years post-surgery showed complete regression of the tumor. Clinically, the child remained stable. The time course of regression is thought to rule out ischemic necrosis caused by surgery, and apoptosis is a more likely mechanism. [1]