[French neurosurgical practice in neurooncology (national survey--part II). Census of current research protocols on brain tumors in France].

OBJECTIVE: This second part of the inquiry of the NeuroOncolgy Group of the French Neurosurgical Society was undertaken to evaluate the involvement of French neurosurgeons in brain tumor research.

METHODS: In December 2003, A questionnaire called "Census of current and future research studies about brain tumors in your center" has been mailed to every French neurosurgical department. For each protocol, responders were asked to mention: the title of the protocol, its mono- or multi-centric design, the name of the principal investigator, the name of the neurosurgeon(s) involved in the study, the topic of the study (epidemiology, imaging, biology, genetics, therapy), tumor histology, financial support, and partners.

RESULTS: Twenty-three centers responded. Sixty-three studies were described. There were 6 epidemiological studies, 7 imaging studies, 27 biological or genetic studies and 15 clinical trials concerning glial tumors, and 8 biological studies concerning non glial tumors. Each study is described in the text with the data previously mentioned.

CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that several centers did not answer, this inquiry confirmed the strong involvement of French neurosurgeons in brain tumor research.