The present and future management of malignant brain tumours: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy

hile the majority of malignant brain tumours remain ultimately incurable, a variety of intermediate outcomes is nevertheless possible, depending on histological tumour type and grade. A common treatment strategy obtains for most malignant brain tumours. Surgery followed by radiotherapy are the major treatment modalities, while chemotherapy provides adjuvant and palliative support. The most exciting areas of advance lie in the genetic targeting of conventional treatments and in applying biotherapies and agents specifically directed at molecular targets within the cell. We describe the current status and future prospects for each of these modalities.