Article
Do "low grade" supratentorial gliomas exist in patients over 30 years old?
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Published: | May 4, 2005 |
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Outline
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Objective
This study aimed to assess the prognosis of "non enhancing" gliomas diagnosed in patients over thirty.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical files of 24 consecutive patients presenting non enhancing infiltrative lesions (presumed "low grade" gliomas). 23 patients underwent at least partial resection and one had biopsy of the mass. Data considered were : age at diagnosis, existence of histological criteria of malignancy, recurrence, tumor recurrence, progression or transformation towards "enhancing" lesion during follow-up, death.
Results
There were 16 males and 7 females, aged 19 to 52 years Among the ten patients in whom total removal of the lesion was performed, three were diagnosed as "low-grade" gliomas (but early recurrence) occured in two patients and seven were diagnosed as grade B oligodendrogliomas according to Daumas- Duport classification or exhibited patterns of hypervascularisation. There was no recurrence after treatment by chemo and radiation therapy except in one patient but duration of follow-up is very short 12 patients had partial resection. All patients except one (aged 22) presented tumor progression and/or transformation to enhancing lesion. Only one patient underwent biopsy which disclosed grade B oligodendroglioma with partial response after treatment.
Conclusions
In our series, all patients over thirty years old exhibited either histological or evolutive pattern of malignancy. This is a strong argument for early aggressive management of "non enhancing infiltrating tumors", regardless of the histological/radiological features.