Return to Work Following Surgery for Incidental Diffuse Low-Grade Glioma: A Prospective Series With 74 Patients

Therapeutic strategy concerning incidental low-grade glioma (ILGG) is still debated. Early "prophylactic" surgery has been proposed in asymptomatic patients with favorable neurological and oncological outcomes.

To assess postoperative ability to resume employment following awake surgery in asymptomatic ILGG patients. To assess extent of resection (EOR), timeline for adjuvant oncological treatment, and survival.

A total of 74 patients with ILGG who underwent awake surgery with intraoperative mapping were prospectively included, with a minimum follow-up of 12 mo. All clinicoradiological data were collected, and statistical correlations with return to work (RTW) were performed.

A total of 66 patients (97.1%) among 68 patients with preoperative professional activities resumed their employment including 62 (91.2%) within 12 mo. Mean time before RTW was 6.8 mo (median: 6 mo, range: 1-36). Two patients experienced seizure-related legal issues impacting their RTW. Clinicoradiological features did not correlate with RTW apart from postoperative seizures (P = .02). Mean EOR was 95.7%. A total of 43 patients (58.1%) underwent supratotal/total resections. All patients recovered from transient deficits at 3 mo. No patients received consecutive adjuvant treatment. A total of 24 patients (32.4%) were reoperated, 24 patients received chemotherapy, and 7 patients (9.5%) received radiotherapy, on average 73.1 mo after surgery. Mean follow-up was 67 mo (range 12-240). Four patients (5.4%) died during the follow-up.

We observed a high rate of RTW (97.1%, including 91.2% within 12 mo) after awake surgery in ILGG patients. Delayed resumption of work was due to employer not clearing them for RTW, personal choice, and, in rare occasions, related to seizures.