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Multidisciplinary
management of adult anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic mixed
oligo-astrocytomas
Bauman GS, Cairncross JG
Department of Oncology, Unviersity of Western Ontario, London,
Ontario, Canada
Once thought to be rare, oligodendroglial tumors might actually represent up to
25% of primary glial neoplasms.
In recent years, the histologic criteria for the diagnosis of oligodendroglioma
have been broadened to include most small cell, monomorphic glial
neoplasms.
These refinements have led to an increased recognition of oligodendroglial
neoplasms, but uniform definitions of pure versus mixed oligodendroglioma as
well as the criteria for high-grade (anaplastic) versus low-grade tumors remain
elusive.
From a prognostic standpoint, the presence of an oligodendroglial component in a
malignant glioma predicts longer survivals times for patients treated with
surgery, and radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.
High rates of response to PCV (procarbazine, CCNU and Vincristine) chemotherapy
also have been noted among patients with anaplastic oligodendroglial
neoplasms.
Ongoing prospective trials seek to clarify the role of PCV chemotherapy when
added to radiation therapy and surgery.
In addition, the role of molecular markers as diagnostic aides and guides to
therapy and prognosis are being explored for patients with pure and mixed
anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors.
Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
PMID:
11285555 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11285555&dopt=Abstract
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