Novel insights toward diagnosis and treatment of glioneuronal and neuronal tumors in young adults

Abstract

Aim: Glioneuronal and neuronal tumors are rare primary central nervous system malignancies with heterogeneous features. Due to the rarity of these malignancies diagnosis and treatment remains a clinical challenge. Methods: Here we performed a narrative review aimed to investigate the principal issues concerning the diagnosis, pathology, and clinical management of glioneuronal tumors. Results: Diagnostic criteria have been recently overturned thanks to a better characterization on a histological and molecular biology level. The study of genomic alterations occurring within these tumors has allowed us to identify potential therapeutic targets including BRAF, FGFR, and PDGFRA. Conclusion: Techniques allowing molecular sequencing DNA methylation assessment of the disease are essential diagnostic tools. Targeting agents should be included in the therapeutic armamentarium after loco-regional treatment failure.