[Recurrences of malignant astrocytomas (III-IV) and glioblastomas. Therapeutic approach (author's transl)].

The therapeutic problems raised by recurrences are different from those which apply to the initial malignant glioma. Firstly, the histological diagnosis is known (by excision or biopsy) and secondly the clinical period which has elapsed before the recurrence represents a factor in the assessment of progression and/or malignancy. The management of treatment must take into account various parameters of an anatomical and clinical nature, but although those relating the various forms of treatment used already. Although the methods used are the same: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, the strategy will differ according to indications of final recourse or reoperation will be discussed after initial surgery followed by radiotherapy, irradiation in those cases in which radiotherapy has not already been used and chemotherapy, Corticosteroids are also widely employed. Whilst such palliative treatment has the merit of ensuring prolongation of survival, the principal aims must be concerned with the quality and conditions of this survival.