Thirty-Five Years of the Korean Brain Tumor Society (1991–2026): A Historical Review

The Korean Brain Tumor Society (KBTS) was established in 1991 as the Korean Brain Tumor Study Group and has since evolved into a leading multidisciplinary academic organization in neuro-oncology. In its early phase, the society focused on building essential academic infrastructure, including the initiation of a nationwide brain tumor registry in 1992 and the implementation of structured educational programs. In 1999, this organization was renamed the Korean Brain Tumor Society, reflecting its expanding academic scope. In 2002, the KBTS launched the Journal of Korean Brain Tumor Society, establishing an official platform for scholarly communication. During the 2000s, the society expanded its academic and international engagement through scientific meetings-including the 2nd Meeting of the Asian Society for Neuro-Oncology (ASNO) in 2003 and the 7th ASNO Meeting in 2010-regional collaborations, and its admission to the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences in 2007. A major transition occurred in 2011 when its official journal, which was subsequently relaunched in 2013 as Brain Tumor Research and Treatment (BTRT), was integrated with the Journal of Korean Society for Neuro-Oncology, marking a strategic step toward internationalization. In 2018, the publication of the comprehensive textbook "Brain Tumors" further strengthened the society's academic foundation. In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the KBTS maintained continuity through adaptive academic activities and the development of clinical recommendations. In 2022, the society successfully hosted the World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Societies in Seoul, underscoring its growing global leadership. This trajectory culminated in 2025, with the indexing of BTRT in Scopus, representing a significant milestone in international academic recognition. Over the past 35 years, the KBTS has made substantial contributions to research, education, and international collaboration while advancing clinical practice and surgical management through multicenter studies and the dissemination of operative strategies.