Malignant supratentorial gliomas in childhood.

In this review, we try to review concisely the incidence, genetic predilections, classification, and diagnosis of supratentorial gliomas (astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and mixed gliomas) in children. While surgery and irradiation present the most commonly used and valuable modes of treatment, chemotherapy is a valuable adjunctive therapy. Used either with surgery and radiation in primary untreated patients or at recurrence (progression), chemotherapy can increase useful life. The late effects of treatment are primarily endocrine deficiencies and intellectual impairment; nevertheless, they are not of a degree to preclude aggressive therapy. In order to improve therapy, and because of the small number of patients with supratentorial tumors, collaborative multi-institutional trials should be encouraged.