Prognostic factors and treatment outcome in glial brain tumors; data from the third neuro-oncology scientific club's input forum, 2013, Mashhad, Iran.

ABSTRACT Management of the central nervous system malignancies are among the evolving areasof research and clinical practice requiring a well-coordinated interdisciplinary approach.The neuro- oncologyscientific club (NOSC) has tried to cross the links between variousdisciplines’ experts involved in brain tumorcare in Iran since 2011. The NOSC’sstructured collaborative brain tumorregistry (BTCR) and the support received from itssteering committee and provincial boards have been the key elements for its successand growth so far. This scientific community not only has helped to optimize brain tumorcare but provided interdisciplinary research opportunities to its members across Iran.Mashhad’s NOSC has been the pioneer in the above. During the 3 rd Mashhad’s NOSCmeeting held in November 21 st 2013, the interim results from some important localneuro- oncologystudies were presented. Some potential opportunities to improve thecoordinated interdisciplinary brain tumorcare within the province were discussed byneurosurgery, neuroradiologyand radiation oncologyfaculty at this provincial NOSCmeeting. Clinical outcome, survival data and prognostic factors in adult and pediatricgliomas over the past several years in Mashhad, the association between methylguanine methyl transferase (MGMT) methylation status (determined by MSQP ormethylation specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction) where among the mainstudies outlined during this event. We realize that optimized brain tumormanagementand productive research in neuro- oncologycan only be achieved through an integratedapproach and strong team work. This is what the NOSC pursues.Keywords: Neuro- oncology; consensus development; brain tumormanagement;interdisciplinary; Mashhad; Iran.