Tehran University Medical Journal

Gliomas include a group of primary central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms with characteristics of neuroglial cells (eg, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes). The gliomas are classified commonly to WHO grade I-IV gliomas. The grading is based on the presence of nuclear atypia, vascular proliferation, mitoses, and necrosis. The malignant gliomas are progressive brain tumors that are divided into anaplastic gliomas and glioblastoma based upon their histopathologic features. Today, different modalities such as surgery, radiation therapy (in the form of external beam radiation or the stereotactic approach using radiosurgery) and chemotherapy have been used for the treatment of gliom's tomors but unfortunately the prognosis and survival rate is poor in most of patients. The survival depends on the tumor's type, size, location and the patient's age. We reviewed the prognostic factors, diagnostic modalities and surgical management of patients with gliomas.