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Clinical manifestations and initial surgical approach to patients with malignant gliomas

INTRODUCTION

The malignant gliomas are rapidly progressive brain tumors that are divided into anaplastic gliomas (anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma) and glioblastoma (GBM) based upon their histopathologic features [1]. (See "Classification of brain tumors".)

The clinical manifestations, pretreatment prognostic factors, and initial surgical approach to patients with malignant gliomas will be reviewed here.

Other topics that are covered separately include:
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