Addressing the role of surgery in brain tumour trials: A report from the neurosurgery committee of the EORTC brain tumour group.

The Brain Tumor Group (BTG) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) conducts academic clinical trials and translational research to improve clinical management of patients with primary and secondary brain tumors. The EORTC BTG has traditionally played an important role in providing evidence and thus advancing the field, albeit with a main focus on radiotherapy and pharmacotherapy in gliomas. Although examples of well-designed neuro-oncological surgical trials can be found, evidence in surgical neuro-oncology predominantly includes data from uncontrolled prospective series or retrospective cohorts.

Surgical outcomes and risk factors for overall mortality in brain arteriovenous malformations patients: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are challenging vascular lesions. Extensive follow-up studies are necessary to refine the therapeutic algorithm, and to improve long-term survival in these patients. The aim of the study was to assess surgical outcomes, and to evaluate overall long-term mortality in patients treated for brain AVMs.

Natural History and Predictors for Hemorrhage in Supratentorial Brain Arteriovenous Malformations.

Approximately half of the patients harboring supratentorial brain arterio-venous malformations (stAVMs) present with hemorrhage, and another considerable proportion suffer from epileptic seizures. An important milestone in the management of this vascular pathology is acknowledging their natural history, especially across long periods of time. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive factors for hemorrhage and for epileptic seizures as presenting symptoms in stAVMs.