Radiation in the treatment of high grade malignant gliomas in Queensland.
Two hundred and seventy eight patients with histologically proven grade 3 or grade 4 astrocytomas were referred to the Queensland Radium Institute for consideration of radiotherapy between January 1980 and December 1987. The role of radiation in the management of these tumours was examined with respect to the effects of field size, dose and age. It was found that field size did not have a significant effect on survival; in particular whole brain irradiation for patients with grade 4 tumours was not a significant advantage. The doses used at the Queensland Radium Institute produce similar survivals to those used in other centres. The effect of age was significant. For grade 3 tumours there was a survival advantage to those under 50 years receiving radiation, but not to those above that age. For grade 4 tumours, the survival advantage was for those under 60 years, but those over 60 years did seem to get some benefit although the difference did not reach significance. It is suggested that, as the tumour is generally incurable, these patients may be better served by a short simple palliative course of radiation.
Franklin
C I
CI
Queensland Radium Institute, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate