Classification and Treatment of Pediatric Gliomas in the Molecular Era

The overall survival of pediatric gliomas varies over a wide spectrum depending on the tumor grade. Low-grade gliomas have an excellent long-term survival, with a possible burden of surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy; in contrast, high-grade gliomas generally have a short-term, devastating lethal outcome. Recent advances in understanding their molecular background will transform the classification and therapeutic approaches of pediatric gliomas. Molecularly targeted treatments may acquire a leading role in the primary treatment of low-grade gliomas and may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for high-grade glioma cases in the attempt to avoid the highly unsuccessful conventional therapeutic approaches. This review aims to overview this progress.

Automated summary

The overall survival of pediatric gliomas varies depending on tumor grade, with low-grade tumors having better long-term survival and high-grade tumors having poor outcomes. Recent advancements in understanding the molecular background of pediatric gliomas are shaping the classification and treatment approaches, with molecularly targeted treatments potentially becoming a key component in managing these tumors, particularly in cases of high-grade gliomas.