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Neurosurgical Oncology Glossary

100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

bevacizumab

Professional Technical IVT

Monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF used as anti-angiogenic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma.

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5-ALA fluorescence

Professional Technical IVT

A surgical technique using 5-aminolevulinic acid to induce tumor tissue fluorescence, enhancing visualization during gli...

Technical Term Full entry →

anaplastic astrocytoma

Professional Technical IVT

A WHO grade III malignant glial tumor characterized by increased cellularity and nuclear atypia compared to lower-grade...

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awake craniotomy

Professional Technical IVT

A neurosurgical procedure performed while the patient is conscious to allow real-time testing of brain function during t...

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bevacizumab

Professional Technical IVT

Monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF used as anti-angiogenic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma.

Technical Term Full entry →

biopsy-only procedure

Intermediate Technical IVT

A neurosurgical approach where only tissue sampling is performed without attempt at tumor resection, typically for deep...

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blood-brain barrier

Intermediate Technical IVT

A selective barrier that prevents most substances in blood from entering brain tissue, critical in brain tumor treatment...

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brainstem glioma

Professional Technical IVT

Primary brain tumor arising within the brainstem structures, often requiring specialized treatment approaches.

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butterfly glioma

Intermediate Technical IVT

A glioma that crosses the midline through the corpus callosum, creating a bilateral symmetric appearance.

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carmustine wafer

Professional Technical IVT

Biodegradable polymer wafer containing chemotherapy agent placed directly into the tumor cavity during surgery.

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cerebellar mutism

Professional Technical IVT

Temporary loss of speech following posterior fossa surgery, characterized by inability to speak despite intact comprehen...

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cerebellar mutism syndrome

Professional Technical IVT

Post-operative complication following posterior fossa surgery characterized by speech loss and behavioral changes.

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cerebrospinal fluid

Intermediate Technical IVT

Clear fluid that circulates within the brain ventricles and subarachnoid space, providing cushioning and metabolic suppo...

CSF
Technical Term Full entry →

choroid plexus papilloma

Professional Technical IVT

A benign WHO grade I tumor arising from the choroid plexus epithelium, most commonly occurring in the lateral ventricles...

CPP
Technical Term Full entry →

contrast enhancement

Intermediate Technical IVT

Increased signal intensity on post-contrast imaging indicating blood-brain barrier disruption or increased vascularity i...

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convection-enhanced delivery

Professional Technical IVT

A drug delivery technique using positive pressure to distribute therapeutics directly into brain tissue, bypassing the b...

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corpus callosotomy

Advanced Technical IVT

Surgical division of the corpus callosum to treat certain types of intractable epilepsy or remove callosal tumors.

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cortical stimulation mapping

Professional Technical IVT

Intraoperative technique using electrical stimulation to identify and preserve critical brain areas during tumor resecti...

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craniotomy

Intermediate Technical IVT

A surgical procedure involving the temporary removal of a bone flap from the skull to access the brain.

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cytoreduction

Professional Technical IVT

Surgical reduction of tumor burden to improve treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.

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cytoreductive surgery

Professional Technical IVT

Surgical removal of as much tumor tissue as possible to reduce tumor burden and enhance effectiveness of adjuvant therap...

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diffusion tensor imaging

Professional Technical IVT

Advanced MRI technique that maps white matter fiber tracts to guide surgical planning and minimize functional damage.

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DIPG

Professional Technical IVT

An aggressive brainstem tumor primarily affecting children with poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

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DNT

Professional Technical IVT

A benign, cortical tumor typically presenting with seizures in children and young adults.

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dural-based tumor

Intermediate Technical IVT

A neoplasm that originates from or is attached to the dura mater, the tough outer membrane covering the brain and spinal...

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