Tumor genetics and their outcomes on surgery and survival

The current field of neurooncology has discovered many genetic markers found in intracranial gliomas. Studies have genetically characterized gliomas and subsequently compared outcomes and response to treatments. The gliomas assessed in this chapter are grouped into grade II and III astrocytomas, grade II and III oligodendrogliomas, grade IV astrocytomas (glioblastomas), and midline gliomas. While the associated outcomes of many genes are outlined in this chapter, the IDH1/2 mutations in grade II/III astrocytomas are currently the only genetic evidence of better outcomes after surgical resection. Glioblastomas can be divided into four subtypes: classical, proneural, mesenchymal, and neural. Each subtype has its own fairly distinct genetic signature with similar outcomes. Lastly, genetic markers of midline gliomas are now being elucidated, although prognosis remains poor in these tumors. While the search for genetic markers in glioma will continue to progress neurooncology, it is important to assess and utilize our current information.