Zur Epilepsieprognose nach operativer Entfernung niedriggradiger Astrozytome (I und II)

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the surgical outcome of symptomatic epilepsies caused by low-grade astrocytomas. The study is based on data of 39 patients with epilepsy or single epileptic seizures who underwent surgery with complete resection, incomplete resection or biopsy of an astrocytoma grade I or II between 1986 and 1994. Patients with incomplete resection were treated additionally with radiation and/or chemotherapy. The patients, their relatives or their family doctor were questioned by telephone about the further course with special regard to the development of tl re epilepsy. 65,2% of the patients with complete removal of the tumor remained seizure-free. Tumors location in the parietal region was seen in 6 of 8 patients with complete removal of the tumour who continued to have seizures, The duration of history of seizures prior to surgery did not predict the outcome regarding seizure control. Patients who died or developed an astrocytoma grade Iii or IV did not have a dominant histological astrocytic celltype, In 23.1% a transformation into a higher grade of anaplasia occurred. 35.9% of the patients died with an average survival time of 5.3 years after the initial surgery.