Skip to content
How It Works
Explore
Resources Ask a Question
Who It's For
Patients
Decode results, prep for appointments, weigh options.
Caregivers & advocates
Carry the research load for someone you love.
Providers & clinicians
Resources for patients in your practice.
Log In Ask a Question
PubMed This is a summary of 21 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Neurosurgery

Building Your Care Team & First Visit Prep

At a Glance

The most critical step in managing an astrocytoma is assembling a multidisciplinary team at a high-volume brain tumor center. Always bring physical copies of your MRI discs, pathology slides, and surgical notes to your first consultation to ensure the experts can properly review your case.

Managing an astrocytoma is a complex journey that no single doctor can navigate alone. Because these tumors are rare and biologically intricate, the “gold standard” for care is a multidisciplinary team (MDT) [1][2]. This approach ensures that experts from different specialties collaborate to tailor a treatment plan specifically for your tumor’s unique genetic profile [3][4].

The Core Members of Your Team

A specialized care team at a major brain tumor center typically includes:

  • Neurosurgeon: The specialist who performs the biopsy or resection. Their goal is to remove as much tumor as possible while protecting your brain’s vital functions [5][6].
  • Neuro-oncologist: A neurologist who specializes in treating brain tumors with chemotherapy and targeted therapies. They often act as the “quarterback” of your long-term care [7].
  • Radiation Oncologist: A doctor who uses high-energy X-rays to target and kill tumor cells [8].
  • Neuropathologist: The expert who examines your tumor tissue under a microscope and runs the essential genetic tests (like IDH and CDKN2A/B) to confirm your diagnosis [9][10].
  • Neuroradiologist: A radiologist who specializes in reading brain scans (MRIs) to distinguish between tumor growth and treatment-related changes [4][11].

Why Center Volume Matters

Research shows that patients treated at high-volume centers—hospitals that perform a high number of brain surgeries—often have better outcomes and lower complication rates [12]. These centers are more likely to use advanced surgical techniques, such as awake craniotomy with intraoperative neuromonitoring. These tools allow the surgeon to map your brain’s functions (like speech or movement) in real-time, allowing for a more complete tumor removal while minimizing the risk of permanent neurological damage [13][14][15].

Preparing for Your First Consultation

Your first visit to a specialized center is often for a “second opinion” or to establish your primary care team. To make this visit productive, you must bring the physical data of your diagnosis, as the specialized center will want their own experts to review it [16][3].

The Essential Checklist:

  1. Imaging Discs: Do not rely on “electronic transfers” between hospitals. Bring a physical CD or USB drive containing the actual images of all your MRIs and CT scans [17].
  2. Pathology Slides: Your specialized center’s neuropathologist will want to look at the actual tissue samples under their own microscope. You can request these “glass slides” and “tissue blocks” from the hospital where your surgery or biopsy was performed [18].
  3. Full Pathology Report: Bring the written report, especially the molecular addendum that lists your IDH, ATRX, and MGMT status [19].
  4. Operational Notes: If you have already had surgery, bring the “op note” written by the surgeon who performed the procedure.

Establishing your care at a specialized academic center not only gives you access to the latest surgical technology but also connects you to clinical trials and advanced therapies that may not be available at smaller community hospitals [20][21].

Common questions in this guide

Why do I need a multidisciplinary team for an astrocytoma?
Astrocytomas are complex and biologically intricate tumors. A multidisciplinary team ensures experts from different fields, like neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists, collaborate to create a personalized treatment plan based on your tumor's specific genetic profile.
What is the role of a neuro-oncologist?
A neuro-oncologist often acts as the primary coordinator of your long-term care. They are specialized neurologists who treat brain tumors using chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and manage ongoing treatment strategies.
Why does treatment center volume matter for brain tumors?
High-volume centers perform a large number of brain surgeries, which research links to better outcomes and lower complication rates. These hospitals also offer advanced surgical technologies and access to cutting-edge clinical trials.
What is awake mapping during brain surgery?
Awake mapping, or intraoperative neuromonitoring, is a technique used when a tumor is near areas controlling speech or movement. It allows surgeons to test brain function in real-time, helping them remove more of the tumor while avoiding permanent neurological damage.
What exactly should I bring to my first astrocytoma consultation?
You should bring a physical CD or USB drive of your MRI scans, the glass pathology slides and tissue blocks from any biopsies, your full pathology report with molecular testing results, and the surgical notes from previous procedures.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.How many glioma surgeries do you personally perform each year, and what are your complication rates?
  2. 2.Does this center have a formal multidisciplinary tumor board where my case will be discussed by specialists from different fields?
  3. 3.If my tumor is near areas that control speech or movement, do you utilize 'awake mapping' or 'intraoperative monitoring'?
  4. 4.Do you have specialized neuropathologists on-site who perform molecular and genetic testing according to the latest 2021 WHO standards?
  5. 5.Will I have a dedicated nurse navigator or social worker to help coordinate my appointments and supportive care?

Questions For You

Tap a prompt to share your answer — we'll use it plus this page's context to start a tailored conversation.

References

References (21)
  1. 1

    Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with NTRK fusion presenting as spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage-case report and literature review.

    Wu Y, Aw SJ, Jain S, et al.

    Frontiers in pediatrics 2024; (12()):1378608 doi:10.3389/fped.2024.1378608.

    PMID: 39108689
  2. 2

    A single-institution prospective evaluation of a neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team meeting.

    Ameratunga M, Miller D, Ng W, et al.

    Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia 2018; (56()):127-130 doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2018.06.032.

    PMID: 30318071
  3. 3

    Implementation, relevance, and virtual adaptation of neuro-oncological tumor boards during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide provider survey.

    Schäfer N, Bumes E, Eberle F, et al.

    Journal of neuro-oncology 2021; (153(3)):479-485 doi:10.1007/s11060-021-03784-w.

    PMID: 34115248
  4. 4

    DEGRO practical guideline for central nervous system radiation necrosis part 1: classification and a multistep approach for diagnosis.

    Bernhardt D, König L, Grosu A, et al.

    Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] 2022; (198(10)):873-883 doi:10.1007/s00066-022-01994-3.

    PMID: 36038669
  5. 5

    Primary Spinal Astrocytomas: A Literature Review.

    Ogunlade J, Wiginton JG, Elia C, et al.

    Cureus 2019; (11(7)):e5247 doi:10.7759/cureus.5247.

    PMID: 31565645
  6. 6

    Implications of molecular classifications in glioma surgery.

    Kalluri AL, Lee JH, Lucas CG, et al.

    Journal of neuro-oncology 2025; (171(3)):559-569 doi:10.1007/s11060-024-04883-0.

    PMID: 39532825
  7. 7

    Neuro-oncology and supportive care: the role of the neurologist.

    Stec NE, Walbert T

    Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology 2022; (43(2)):939-950 doi:10.1007/s10072-021-05862-3.

    PMID: 34988720
  8. 8

    Surveillance of long-term complications after treatment of adult brain tumor survivors-review and evidence-based recommendations.

    Figuracion KCF, Halasz LM, Lam NY, et al.

    Neuro-oncology practice 2022; (9(6)):475-486 doi:10.1093/nop/npac053.

    PMID: 36388419
  9. 9

    Molecular Neuropathology in Practice: Clinical Profiling and Integrative Analysis of Molecular Alterations in Glioblastoma.

    Nasrallah MP, Binder ZA, Oldridge DA, et al.

    Academic pathology 2019; (6()):2374289519848353 doi:10.1177/2374289519848353.

    PMID: 31206012
  10. 10

    AI-Powered Histology for Molecular Profiling in Brain Tumors: Toward Smart Diagnostics from Tissue.

    Sakaguchi M, Yoshizawa A, Masui K, et al.

    Cancers 2025; (18(1)) doi:10.3390/cancers18010009.

    PMID: 41514522
  11. 11

    Biopsy targeting with dynamic contrast-enhanced versus standard neuronavigation MRI in glioma: a prospective double-blinded evaluation of selection benefits.

    Keil VC, Pintea B, Gielen GH, et al.

    Journal of neuro-oncology 2017; (133(1)):155-163 doi:10.1007/s11060-017-2424-x.

    PMID: 28425048
  12. 12

    Association between surgical volume and outcomes after craniotomy for brain tumor removal: A South Korean nationwide cohort study.

    Choi HR, Song IA, Oh TK

    Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia 2022; (100()):75-81 doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.04.007.

    PMID: 35427988
  13. 13

    Feasibility of awake craniotomy in the pediatric population.

    Alcaraz García-Tejedor G, Echániz G, Strantzas S, et al.

    Paediatric anaesthesia 2020; (30(4)):480-489 doi:10.1111/pan.13833.

    PMID: 31997512
  14. 14

    A Novel Intraoperative Brain Mapping Integrated Task-Presentation Platform.

    Hameed NUF, Zhao Z, Zhang J, et al.

    Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) 2021; (20(5)):477-483 doi:10.1093/ons/opaa476.

    PMID: 33548926
  15. 15

    Awake craniotomy: anesthetic considerations based on outcome evidence.

    Sewell D, Smith M

    Current opinion in anaesthesiology 2019; (32(5)):546-552 doi:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000750.

    PMID: 31107256
  16. 16

    Improvement of the Efficiency and Completeness of Neuro-Oncology Patient Referrals to a Tertiary Center Through the Implementation of an Electronic Referral System: Retrospective Cohort Study.

    Fernández-Méndez R, Wong MY, Rastall RJ, et al.

    Journal of medical Internet research 2020; (22(3)):e15002 doi:10.2196/15002.

    PMID: 32134389
  17. 17

    Central nervous system pediatric multi-disciplinary tumor board: a single center experience.

    Russo R, Verdolotti T, Perna A, et al.

    BMC cancer 2024; (24(1)):1146 doi:10.1186/s12885-024-12882-7.

    PMID: 39272048
  18. 18

    Stereotactic biopsy for intracranial space occupying lesions: Experience in a referral hospital in Mexico.

    Navarro-Olvera JL, Parra-Romero G, Carrillo-Ruiz JD, et al.

    Cirugia y cirujanos 2021; (89(6)):763-768 doi:10.24875/CIRU.20001009.

    PMID: 34851583
  19. 19

    Assessing the utility and attitudes toward molecular testing in neuro-oncology: a survey of the Society for Neuro-Oncology members.

    Fortin Ensign S, Hrachova M, Chang S, Mrugala MM

    Neuro-oncology practice 2021; (8(3)):310-316 doi:10.1093/nop/npab003.

    PMID: 34055378
  20. 20

    Collaborative frontiers in pediatric neuro-oncology: establishing an international tumor board for enhanced care and global impact.

    Shatara M, Brossier NM, Cluster A, et al.

    International journal of clinical oncology 2025; (30(8)):1659-1669 doi:10.1007/s10147-025-02793-3.

    PMID: 40445524
  21. 21

    High-grade gliomas in adolescents and young adults highlight histomolecular differences from their adult and pediatric counterparts.

    Roux A, Pallud J, Saffroy R, et al.

    Neuro-oncology 2020; (22(8)):1190-1202 doi:10.1093/neuonc/noaa024.

    PMID: 32025728

This page provides educational information on building an astrocytoma care team. It is for informational purposes only and does not replace the professional advice of your treating neuro-oncologist or neurosurgeon.

Get notified when new evidence is published on Astrocytoma.

We monitor PubMed for new peer-reviewed studies on this topic and email a short summary when something meaningful changes.