Cerebellar astrocytoma: experience with 54 cases surgically treated at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota from 1978 to 1990

Abstract

<jats:p>A comprehensive review of the literature has shown that the treatment of choice for cerebellar astrocytomas has primarily been gross-total resection of the mass and gross-total resection of the enhancing portion of pilocytic astrocytomas. Most large scale studies of postresection survival rates of patients with cerebellar astrocytomas were conducted when computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was not readily available. It has been shown that postoperative CT scans or MR images are more reliable than the surgeon's estimate of the degree of tumor resection at the time of surgery. It is not possible, therefore, to make an accurate determination regarding a postresection prognosis based on the degree of suspected tumor resection without the availability of appropriate radiographic imaging. In this study, the authors retrospectively evaluated the treatment of 54 patients with cerebellar astrocytoma who underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota from 1978 through 1990. Preoperative and postoperative CT scans or MR images were available in all 54 patients.</jats:p>

Initial Management of Childhood Brain Tumors: Neurosurgical Considerations

“…Patient age, tumor grade, extent of resection, and tumor location are variables that have prognostic significance for patients with low-grade gliomas. [13][14][15][16] The extent of resection may be the most important predictor of clinical outcome. 17 In children where resection was greater than 95%, the 5-year and 10-year survival rates ranged from 75% to 100%.…”

“…17 In children where resection was greater than 95%, the 5-year and 10-year survival rates ranged from 75% to 100%. 11,13,16 High-Grade Gliomas High-grade gliomas are classically divided into anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III) and glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV) based on the presence of characteristic microscopic features. Childhood high-grade gliomas consistently display more frequent chromosomal aberrations and imbalance with multiple regions of abnormality.…”