Patients presenting with primary gliomas may have a broad array of debilitating neurologic symptoms. Typically, these symptoms arise from mass effect because of tumor growth and the associated vasogenic edema. The mass effect can be reduced by surgical resection and corticosteroid medication, most commonly dexamethasone. Corticosteroids are currently the only effective medical treatment for the long-term control of intracranial edema associated with gliomas. Unfortunately, these pharmacologic therapies are associated with many deleterious side effects, including peripheral edema, Cushing syndrome, fatigue, hyperglycemia, thromboembolism, and, in particular, severe skeletal muscle catabolism. Collectively, these side-effects which can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life (QOL) and physical functioning/performance status.