Does the tumor grade affect treatment choices?
Yes. Some tumors are benign. In treating benign, that is non-cancerous, tumors it is important to avoid irradiating critical adjacent structures. Patients with benign tumors can anticipate a normal lifespan, and this makes maintaining long term quality of life particularly important. So-called low-grade tumors, like astrocytomas (Grades I or II), generally occur in children or young adults. These tumors have a better prognosis than higher grade astrocytomas. Several management strategies are possible and should be thoroughly discussed with the primary neurosurgeon. One concern with low-grade astrocytomas in adults is that they can become more malignant and change into a higher-grade or malignant tumor. Follow-up after any neurosurgical treatment is thus essential. Higher grade tumors are more aggressive and are treated by more aggressive means. A gross total resection is often required, but irradiation may be added to this treatment. Additional therapies, such as whole brain radiation
