title: Optic pathway gliomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are low-grade neoplasms intrinsic to the optic nerve, optic chiasm, tracts, and radiations. The management of OPGs is still a highly controversial topic among neuro-ophthalmologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Authors' personal experience and literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review describes our current understanding of the behavior of OPGs and discusses advances in their imaging, evaluation, and management. Patients with OPGs that progress are typically treated with chemotherapy using carboplatin and vincristine; however, newer approaches to therapy are being explored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment when indicated, multicenter collaborative studies involving oncologists and neuro-ophthalmologists, both retrospective and prospective, are still needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for the management of children with OPGs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Grant T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D019574:Optic Nerve Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*