AIM: To investigate the prognostic role of subventricular zone (SVZ) involvement in anaplastic glioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data of 160 patients with histopathologically confirmed anaplastic glioma treated at Beijing Tiantan hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between survival and the region of the SVZ involved was determined via univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, SVZ involvement significantly correlated with progression-free survival (p = 0.021) and overall survival (p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that SVZ involvement was an independent prognostic factor for unfavourable survival (p = 0.016 for overall survival), as was the involvement of the occipital horn of the SVZ (p< 0.001 for progression-free survival, and p = 0.016 for overall survival). CONCLUSION: The current study shows that SVZ involvement is a valid prognostic indicator in anaplastic glioma. It is associated with worse prognosis in patients with anaplastic gliomas, particularly those with tumours invading the occipital horn of the SVZ. (C) 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.