Multidisciplinary management of pediatric low-grade gliomas.

Low-grade gliomas comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors accounting for 30% to 40% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms in the pediatric population. Management of these patients has evolved significantly over the past 2 decades, the present emphasis being on surgery. Adjuvant therapies, such as radiation and/or chemotherapy are generally withheld until symptomatic or radiographic progression is evident. The goal of surgery is gross total resection, while preserving maximal neurologic function. The goal of radiation and chemotherapy is to provide symptom and tumor control with minimal acute and late toxicities. Chemotherapy has the additional goal of deferring radiation to allow maximal development and maturation of the child's CNS. The incorporation of these 3 modalities into the overall care of the pediatric low-grade glioma patient involves the multidisciplinary input of the neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, and pediatric neuro-oncologist both at time of diagnosis and throughout the course of their disease. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company