Long-term survival of low-grade astrocytomas of the cerebral hemispheres.

The authors have reviewed 6 patients operated on, with histologically proven diagnosis of grade-II astrocytomas who have survived more than 10 years even with many reoperations. Young age, pre- and postoperative neurological status, aspect of the tumor mass on CT and MRI, site of the tumor in non-high functional areas and extent of surgical removal are the most important variables in predicting length of survival. In young patients without severe neurological deficits and with astrocytic tumors located in non high-functional areas, very long survivals may be obtained even with many operations, when the interval between the recurrences is at least three years.