LOW-GRADE ASTROCYTOMAS IN CHILDREN - EVOLVING MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Developments in imaging and in neurosurgical techniques over the past decade have substantially altered the management of children with low- grade astrocytoma, Indications for surgery have become more clearly de fined, and a larger proportion of children undergo complete or subtota l resection than in the past. Fewer receive adjuvant therapy, even tho ugh the options in this regard are more numerous now and theoretically likely to result in less morbidity than conventional external beam ra diotherapy. This review will address in particular the correlations be tween location, imaging appearance, and behavior that need to be more widely appreciated, and present recommendations regarding the manageme nt of these tumors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.