Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 8: Advances in molecular diagnostics, precision surgery, targeted therapies and modern radiation techniques are significantly improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with high-grade gliomas, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, according to leading neuro-oncology experts.

For decades, high-grade glioma was associated with poor survival rates and limited treatment options. However, specialists now report that median survival has increased from around nine to 12 months to 14-18 months, while some treatment centres are seeing nearly 40 per cent of Grade III and Grade IV glioma patients survive beyond two years. A small number of patients are also living for more than a decade after diagnosis.

Dr Shyam Agarwal, senior consultant in medical oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said the long-held perception that a brain tumour diagnosis is invariably fatal is no longer accurate.

He noted that brain tumours can be benign or malignant and that even malignant tumours vary in severity. According to him, modern treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy and targeted medicines, can control the disease for extended periods and, in selected cases, even offer a cure.

Experts attribute improved outcomes largely to advances in surgery, radiation therapy and molecular diagnostics.

Dr Amitabh Gupta, director of neurosurgery at PSRI Hospital, said technologies such as neuronavigation systems, operating microscopes and fluorescent markers now enable surgeons to distinguish tumour tissue more accurately during operations.

He explained that these tools help maximise safe tumour removal while preserving healthy brain tissue. Combined with stereotactic radiosurgery and molecularly guided chemotherapy, they have improved tumour control, survival rates and quality of life. Even patients with recurrent tumours are benefiting from repeat surgeries combined with chemo-radiosurgery, he added.

Dr Tejinder Kataria, chairperson of radiation oncology at Medanta Hospital, said advancements in radiation delivery techniques now allow doctors to deliver highly precise tumour-killing doses while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Molecular testing has also emerged as a crucial component of treatment planning. Dr Agarwal said comprehensive genomic profiling is becoming increasingly important in identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapies.

He pointed to mutations such as IDH1, which can make patients eligible for newer targeted treatments, including Vorasidenib. Gene sequencing is helping physicians identify precision-medicine options that were unavailable only a few years ago.

Dr R Ranga Rao, chairman of medical oncology at Paras Health, said markers such as IDH mutations and MGMT status, along with comprehensive genomic sequencing, are helping identify patients who are likely to benefit from targeted therapies and personalised treatment approaches.

Despite these advances, doctors warn that delayed diagnosis remains a major challenge. Persistent headaches and other early symptoms are often mistaken for stress, migraines or minor health issues, leading to delays in treatment.

Specialists have also observed a growing number of younger adults being diagnosed with gliomas and astrocytomas. Brain tumours account for around two per cent of all cancers diagnosed in India, while gliomas and astrocytomas occur at an estimated rate of five to 10 cases per one lakh population annually.

Looking ahead, researchers believe the future of brain cancer treatment lies in precision oncology and next-generation immunotherapies.

Dr Pranav Sopory, medical and patient affairs director at Servier India, said treatment is moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach. He noted that innovations such as targeted therapies, immunotherapy and CAR-T cell research offer hope for even better outcomes for brain cancer patients in the years ahead.

Experts emphasise that early diagnosis, access to advanced treatment and personalised care remain critical to improving survival and quality of life for patients battling high-grade gliomas.