Astrocytoma, the tumor of astrocytic origin, accounts for about 60 % of the primary brain tumors. As per World Health Organization grading system, astrocytoma is classified as circumscribed astrocytoma (Grade I; pilocytic astrocytoma) and diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma. Grade I tumor is biologically benign and can be cured by surgical resection of the tumor. The diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma is further subclassified into grade II/diffuse astrocytoma (DA), grade III/anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and grade IV/glioblastoma (GBM). Aggressiveness of the disease increases as the tumor progresses from lower grade to higher grade. In particular, GBMs are the most malignant and aggressive human cancers. For a newly diagnosed GBM patient, the current treatment option is surgical resection of the tumor followed by radiation and temozolomide therapy. Despite the treatment is multimodal (surgery+radiation+temozolomide) the median survival of GBM patients remain very low at 14.6 months. Although numerous markers with potential utility in prognosis and treatment of GBMs have been reported, they are yet to be translated into clinical utility. Our knowledge of understanding the complete biology of GBMs needs further comprehensive studies towards the identification of markers with potential utility to prognose/treat the GBM patients efficiently. Therefore, with an immense need to develop new biomarkers/therapeutic strategies in order to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and existing treatment of the GBM, the current work is designed to study the following aspects on glioma

The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of brain MRI's findings, and modify the criteria for brain MR imaging in NF1 patients according to this data, to improve the quality of life with early detection of important NF1 complications. Description of the whole cohort, with emphasise to possible cause of high range of sporadic NF1 cases. Evaluation the possibility diagnosis or follow up of brain gliomas by plasmatic values of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100B protein. Subjects and methods: I analysed data from 285 NF1 children followed up on our department from 1990 to 2010 by the same examination battery. I evaluated the incidence of brain MRI findings, clinical development, age at gliomas manifestation and necessity of treatment. I also described the whole cohort and made statistic analysis of plasmatic values of NSE and S100B protein in NF1 patients, with and without brain gliomas. Results: OPGs were found in 77/285 (27 %) children and GOOPs in 29/285 (10.2 %) of NF1 children, of who 19 had OPG and GOOP together, so the total number of brain glioma was 87/285 (30.5 %). Totally, 43/87 (49.4 %), respectively 43/285 (15.1 %) children with brain glioma were treated, and 4/285 (1.4 %) of this children died. Obstructive hydrocephalus was found in 22/285 (7.7 %) patients and was caused...