A consensus definition of supratotal resection for anatomically distinct primary glioblastoma: an AANS/CNS Section on Tumors survey of neurosurgical oncologists

Introduction Supratotal resection (SpTR) of glioblastoma may be associated with improved survival, but published results have varied in part from lack of consensus on the definition and appropriate use of SpTR. A previous small survey of neurosurgical oncologists with expertise performing SpTR found resection 1-2 cm beyond contrast enhancement was an acceptable definition and glioblastoma involving the right frontal and bilateral anterior temporal lobes were considered most amenable to SpTR. The general neurosurgical oncology community has not yet confirmed the practicality of this definition. Methods Seventy-six neurosurgical oncology members of the AANS/CNS Tumor Section were surveyed, representing 34.0% of the 223 members who were administered the survey. Participants were presented with 11 definitions of SpTR and rated each definition's appropriateness. Participants additionally reviewed magnetic resonance imaging for 10 anatomically distinct glioblastomas and assessed the tumor location's eloquence, perceived equipoise of enrolling patients in a randomized trial comparing gross total to SpTR, and their personal treatment plans. Results Most neurosurgeons surveyed agree that gross total plus resection of some non-contrast enhancement (n = 57, 80.3%) or resection 1-2 cm beyond contrast enhancement (n = 52, 73.2%) are appropriate definitions for SpTR. Cases were divided into three anatomically distinct groups by perceived equipoise between gross total and SpTR. The best clinical trial candidates were thought to be right anterior temporal (n = 58, 76.3%) and right frontal (n = 55, 73.3%) glioblastomas. Conclusion Support exists among neurosurgical oncologists with varying familiarity performing SpTR to adopt the proposed consensus definition of SpTR of glioblastoma and to potentially investigate the utility of SpTR to treat right anterior temporal and right frontal glioblastomas in a clinical trial. A smaller proportion of general neurosurgical oncologists than SpTR experts would personally treat a left anterior temporal glioblastoma with SpTR.

Automated summary

There is a lack of consensus on the definition and appropriate use of Supratotal resection (SpTR) of glioblastoma. A survey was conducted among neurosurgical oncologists to gather opinions on the definition and potential clinical trial candidates for SpTR. The majority of neurosurgeons surveyed agreed on the definitions of SpTR as complete resection with removal of some non-contrast enhancement or resection 1-2 cm beyond contrast enhancement. Right anterior temporal and right frontal glioblastomas were identified as the most suitable candidates for clinical trials.