The Value of Glioma Extent of Resection in the Modern Neurosurgical Era

OBJECTIVE There remains no general consensus in the neurosurgical oncology literature regarding the role of extent of glioma resection in improving patient outcome. Although the value of resection in establishing a diagnosis and alleviating mass effect is clear, there is less certainty in ascertaining the influence of extent of resection (EOR). Here, we review the recent literature to synthesize a comprehensive review of the value of extent of resection for gliomas in the modern neurosurgical era. METHODS We reviewed every major peer-reviewed clinical publication since 1990 on the role of EOR in glioma outcome. RESULTS Thirty-two high-grade glioma articles and 11 low-grade glioma articles were examined in terms of quality of evidence, expected EOR, and survival benefit. CONCLUSION Despite limitations in the quality of data, mounting evidence suggests that more extensive surgical resection is associated with longer life expectancy for both low- and high-grade newly diagnosed gliomas.