Therapy of glioblastoma multiforme: a cumulative experience of 10 years.
OBJECTIVE
Comparison of the effect of different therapeutic modalities on survival time of patients with glioblastoma multiforme operated on during the last decade (1980-1990).


METHODS
The records of 157 consecutive patients with the histological diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme were analysed for survival with respect to age of patients, extent of surgery, influence of re-operation and adjuvant postoperative treatment. The latter included fractionated radiotherapy, chemotherapy (BCNU. CCNU with Vincristine) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).


RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed a significant effect for survival after macroscopically radical surgery (p = 0.005), postoperative radiotherapy (p < 0.001), chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Low age (p < 0.05) and a postoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) > or = 60 (p < 0.001) had a positive influence: the site of tumour and pre-operative presence of seizures had no significant influence (p > 0.1) on survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the current adequate management of glioblastoma multiforme should include surgical resection followed by adjuvant treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Obwegeser
A
A
Universitätsklinik für Neurochirurgie, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Ortler
M
M
Seiwald
M
M
Ulmer
H
H
Kostron
H
H
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome