Anaplastic Gliomas. Radiation, Chemotherapy, or Both?

Anaplastic gliomas have a unique natural history compared with glioblastomas and lowgrade gliomas, but have historically been grouped together with either of these tumor types in treatment studies. Survival differences exist between anaplastic astrocytomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, which are caused by the differing molecular features of these tumors. Current evidence indicates that there is no benefit to radiotherapy with concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with anaplastic gliomas. Initial treatment with chemotherapy or radiation alone is an appropriate treatment strategy, and temozolomide is the first-line chemotherapy agent. The other treatment modality should be used when relapse occurs. David Muñoz Carmona