Seizures in glioma patients: An overview of incidence, etiology, and therapies

Niyatee Samudra, T. Zacharias, A. Plitt, Bradley Lega, Edward Pan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gliomas are fatal brain tumors, and even low-grade gliomas (LGGs) have an average survival of less than a decade. Seizures are a common presentation of gliomas, particularly LGGs, and substantially impact quality of life. Glioma-related seizures differ from other focal epilepsies in their pathogenesis and in the likelihood of refractory epilepsy. We review factors that predict seizure activity and response to treatment, optimal pharmacologic and surgical management of glioma-related epilepsy, and the benefit of using newer anti-seizure medications in patients with gliomas. As surgery is so often beneficial with seizure reduction, we discuss oncologic and epilepsy surgery perspectives. Treatment of gliomas has the potential to ameliorate seizures and increase rates of seizure freedom. Prospective, well-powered studies are needed to provide more definitive answers for practitioners taking care of glioma patients with seizures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)80-85
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences
Volume404
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2019

Keywords

  • cancer
  • epilepsy
  • glioma
  • review
  • seizure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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