A trial of radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy after surgery for oligodendroglioma brain tumours (EORTC 26951)

Cancer type:

Brain (and spinal cord) tumours

Status:

Results

Phase:

Phase 3

This trial looked at having radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy after surgery for a type of brain tumour called an oligodendroglioma.

Doctors often treat oligodendroglioma brain tumours with surgery and radiotherapy. Many people also have a combination of chemotherapy called PCV to try to stop their cancer coming back. PCV is procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine.

The aims of this trial were to find out

  • If having radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery is better than having radiotherapy alone
  • More about the side effects

Summary of results

The trial team found that PCV was not a useful treatment for people with oligodendroglioma brain tumours after surgery and radiotherapy.

368 people took part in this trial. After surgery

  • Half had radiotherapy
  • Half had radiotherapy and chemotherapy (PCV)

The researchers analysed the results in 2008. They compared the 2 groups. In the PCV group it took longer before there were any signs of the cancer getting worse. But overall they found no difference in how many people lived for 5 years after treatment.

We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed Open a glossary item) and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.

Recruitment start:

Recruitment end:

How to join a clinical trial

Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Chief Investigator

Dr Martin J. Van den Bent

Supported by

European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer

If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses

Freephone 0808 800 4040

Last review date

CRUK internal database number:

Oracle 176

Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.

Rhys was only four years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour

A picture of Rhys

"He went through six operations and was placed on a clinical trial so he could try new treatments.”

Last reviewed:

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