Radiosurgery for brain tumours: is there a proven benefit?

Advances in radiotherapy of brain tumors: radiobiology versus reality

Radiotherapy still remains the most effective adjunctive therapy for malignant gliomas following surgery and provides useful local control for some benign tumors. Research efforts have been directed towards several aspects of the radiation therapy of tumors. The results of clinical trials undertaken in the last decade offer some basis for optimism in the management of patients with malignant brain tumors, although cure is still not a realistic objective. This review focuses on the rationale and radiobiological basis for recent developments in the radiotherapy of adult brain tumors. The salient issues are discussed from a neurosurgeon's perspective.

Neurosurgical management of low- and intermediate-grade gliomas

Surgery remains an effective treatment for most histologic types of low- and intermediate-grade gliomas and is an important part of their initial management. Controversies nonetheless abound regarding the timing and goals of surgery for these gliomas. This article reviews surgical therapy of low- and intermediate-grade gliomas, paying special attention to new surgical techniques.