Short course of radiation therapy in elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
OBJECTIVE
The optimal schedule of irradiation in elderly patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is unsettled.


METHODS
This study reviewed the charts of 28 consecutive GBM patients aged 70 years or more with a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) greater than or equal to 70 who received a short course of radiotherapy (40 grays in 15 fractions over three weeks).


RESULTS
The median age at surgery was 74.6 years (range, 70.1-85.7). No patient received prior or concomitant chemotherapy. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 21.6 weeks (95% CI, 17.0-39.9) and 50.6 weeks (95% CI, 26.3-62.0), respectively. Even within a narrow range (<90 or >or=90), KPS remained a prognostic factor (p=0.03). Tolerance appeared acceptable in terms of KPS changes and corticosteroid use during radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the efficacy of short schedule radiotherapy for GBM in elderly patients with a good KPS.
Idbaih
A
A
Service de radiothérapie oncologique, pavillon Antonin-Gosset, groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris cedex 13, France.
Taillibert
S
S
Simon
J-M
JM
Psimaras
D
D
Schneble
H-M
HM
Lopez
S
S
Lang
P
P
Toubiana
T
T
Feuvret
L
L
Delattre
J-Y
JY
Mazeron
J-J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D011379:Prognosis; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017741:Survivors