Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of gliomas

Abstract

Malignant gliomas are challenging tumors that are often treated with a multimodality approach. This article focuses on the role of radiotherapy in the management of these tumors. The role of radiotherapy in low-grade gliomas remains controversial and this review focuses on the importance of prognostic factors, recent randomized trials involving radiotherapy, and toxicity from radiotherapy. In terms of high-grade gliomas, radiotherapy has a more established role and this review will address methods that have been evaluated in order to improve radiotherapy outcome. Improvements in radiotherapy delivery, tumor imaging and biologic modifiers may ultimately lead to improved outcome in the treatment of these difficult tumors.

Keywords::

• astrocytoma
• GBM
• glioblastoma multiforme
• Gy
• high-grade gliomas
• low-grade gliomas
• radiation
• radiotherapy