Unusual Gliomas

Patients with intra-axial brain tumors often present with neurologic symptoms based on the anatomic location of their tumor. Workup for a brain tumor includes cranial imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, as well as systemic imaging to assess for primary tumor if metastasis is suspected. Maximal safe resection optimizes outcomes including overall survival. Surgical decisions are based on variables such as medical comorbidities and anatomic location of the tumor. Gliomas in eloquent areas may require intraoperative cortical and subcortical mapping of motor and/or language areas to optimize safety and help maximize resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation lead to a median survival of 14.6 months for patients with glioblastoma. Rapidly recurring glioblastoma after surgery has a poor prognosis.