[A practical guide for the management of gliomas]

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Clinical Neurology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Context:

• Glioma management presents significant clinical challenges, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach.
• Recent advancements include combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, improving patient survival.
• Molecular markers are crucial for glioma subtyping and predicting treatment efficacy.

Purpose:

• To provide a practical guide for managing common glioma types: glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, and low-grade glioma.
• To answer frequently asked questions in daily clinical practice regarding glioma treatment.
• To present evidence-based therapeutic options and justify empirical choices where evidence is lacking.

Summary:

• A novel treatment strategy combining radiotherapy with temozolomide chemotherapy has significantly prolonged survival in glioma patients.
• Molecular markers, such as 1p/19q loss of heterozygosity and MGMT gene promoter methylation, are vital for personalized glioma treatment.
• This guide offers practical insights into managing various gliomas, integrating current evidence and expert recommendations.

Impact:

• Establishes a new standard of care for glioma treatment, improving patient outcomes.
• Facilitates personalized medicine in neuro-oncology through the use of predictive biomarkers.
• Empowers clinicians with evidence-based strategies for optimal glioma patient management.