The ROAM/EORTC-1308 trial, presented on 25 September at the European Association of Neuro-Oncology meeting and published in The Lancet, found that radiotherapy after complete removal of an atypical meningioma held recurrence at 14 percent over a median five-year follow-up, against 30 percent with observation alone.
After a median five-year follow-up, recurrence was 14 percent in the radiotherapy group and 30 percent in the observation group. At five years, about 80 percent of patients who received radiotherapy remained free of recurrence, compared with about 60 percent of those who were observed. The trial was presented on 25 September at the European Association of Neuro-Oncology meeting and published in The Lancet.[1], [2]
ROAM, also called EORTC-1308, is Radiation versus Observation following surgical resection of Atypical Meningioma. Patients with a completely removed atypical meningioma were assigned to radiotherapy or to observation. Until now, the University of Liverpool says, it was unclear whether radiotherapy should start immediately after surgery or whether patients should be monitored and treated if the tumour returns. Atypical meningiomas are about a quarter of meningiomas, and meningiomas are the commonest primary brain tumour. Up to 2000 people undergo surgery for one each year in the UK.[1]
There were no differences between the groups in health-related quality of life or neurocognitive function, and serious radiation toxicity was minimal. At the same meeting the study won the award for the best oral presentation in clinical research. Chief investigator and first author is neurosurgeon Professor Michael Jenkinson of The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool.[1], [2]
