title: Low grade astrocytomas: controversies in management.
abstract: Low grade astrocytomas are common brain neoplasms that primarily affect young adults. Although these patients often have a reasonably long survival, most will ultimately succumb to their tumours. Often the tumours progress to higher grade astrocytomas. The optimal management plan for these tumours is controversial and ranges from observation to macroscopic excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The evidence for each of these approaches is presented in this review and a management algorithm is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, 3050, Australia.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate