title: Malign transformation in the low grade astrocytomas and related factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retrospective investigation of prognostic factors in low-grade     astrocytomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the study, prognostic factors were     prospectively identified and assumed to be effective on prognosis, which were     reviewed in 67 cases diagnosed as low-grade astrocytoma with craniotomy between     May 1998 to December 2005 at Erciyes University Neurosurgery Department.     Assessment of demographic, neurologic, radiological, surgical and clinical     features of cases and adjuvant therapies and their relationship with prognosis     were evaluated. Post-operative cumulative survival of the cases was estimated by     using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Log Rank test was used to compare the     survival curve of the sub-groups. Multivariate analysis of survival was analyzed     by using the Cox regression method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was seen that malign     transformation occurred in 9 patients of subtotal resection group. The     difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01). malign transformation     was detected in one female (3.2%) and 8 male patients (22.2%). Difference in     favor of men was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Malignant     transformation was detected in 7 of the patients given post-operative     radiotherapy, only 2 patients displayed malign transformation in the group which     received no radiotherapy. Comparison of groups revealed a significant difference     (p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Detection of higher malign transformation rate in cases     underwent radiotherapy than those did not and the statistical significance in     this meaning mandates to revise treatment plan regarding radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kaan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamasak
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ekici
authors.forename: Cuneyt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gocmez
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tucer
authors.forename: Seyit Kaan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Basarslan
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurtsoy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult