Surgery as Definitive Salvage Therapy for Primary Brain Tumors

The English word “salvage” comes from the Middle French “salver” (to save). In cancer therapy, it refers to the treatment of patients who have failed to respond to or relapsed following front-line therapy. Patients with glial tumors present in all age groups and are generally seen by a neurosurgeon, whose role is both diagnostic and therapeutic (resection or in-situ ablation of the tumor mass). The location of the tumor, its invasive character, and the ability of the surgeon impact on the safety and thoroughness of the operation. The prognosis depends on several factors including the age of the patient, the histology of the tumor, and the patient’s performance.