Neurosurgical advances in the treatment of brain tumors.

Surgery remains an important part of the treatment of primary malignant brain tumors. When surgery is utilized, care must be taken to maximize the safety of the procedures. This article emphasizes advances in lesion localization within the brain and technology used to identify the function of normal tissue around the tumor. Many of the new treatment paradigms involve a surgical procedure. For example, surgery is necessary for biodegradable treatment delivery systems, and for some focal radiation therapy. Neurosurgeons are familiar with implantable catheter systems for other types of disease such as hydrocephalus; however, there is now an opportunity to take advantage of such technology to assist in the delivery of treatment agents locally within a tumor. Although no specific surgical advance has offered cure of malignant tumors, surgery remains necessary for utilization of the treatment advances now becoming available.