title: Feasibility and toxicity of CCNU therapy in elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
abstract: In our institution, 103 glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients aged from 55 to 83 years were treated since November 1994 as follows. All patients underwent surgical intervention (gross total resection, n = 35; subtotal resection, n = 38; stereotactic biopsy, n = 30). Subsequently all patients were offered radiotherapy and chemotherapy with CCNU. Results were as follows: 101 patients started radiotherapy, 93 patients completed it (96% of the patients aged < 65 years and 85% of the patients > or =65 years). All patients received at least 1 cycle of chemotherapy (median 3 cycles). Chemotherapy-associated toxicity was generally mild, more pronounced in females and did not increase with age. Median time to progression was 10.5+/-3.2 months for the patients < 65 years and 5.1+/-1 months for patients > or =65 years. median overall survival was 17.5+/-3.8 months in patients < 65 years and 8.6+/-1 months in patients > or =65 years (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, age and female sex remained independent prognostic factors. Our data indicate that a treatment concept including concomitant radio- and chemotherapy is feasible even in elderly patients with GBM.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Vienna, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piribauer
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fazeny-Dörner
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rössler
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ungersböck
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Czech
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Killer
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dieckmann
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Birner
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prayer
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hainfellner
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muhm
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marosi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008130:Lomustine