Minimizing the uncertainties regarding the effects of delaying radiotherapy for Glioblastoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Functional outcomes of soft palate reconstruction after oncologic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to analyze functional outcomes of soft palate reconstruction after oncologic surgery.

METHODS

This study was conducted in conformity with the PRISMA statement. A single arm meta-analysis was performed for feeding tube dependence (FTD) (primary outcome), velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and hypernasality (HN) (secondary outcomes) incidences.

RESULTS

A total of 510 patients (males: 77.75%, n = 353/454) with a median age of 58 years (n = 480/510; 95% CI 57.0-61.0) who underwent soft palate surgical resection with primary reconstruction were included. Overall, the cumulative FTD rate was 1.55% (n = 28/510; 95% CI 0.24-3.96%), the VPI rate was 22.18% (n = 119/379; 95% CI 12.99-33.02%), and the HN rate was 33.01% (n = 88/234; 95% CI 19.03-46.61%).

CONCLUSIONS

Soft palate reconstruction results in a low incidence of FTD, and most patients resume a full oral diet. Both obturators, primary closure, local and free flaps seem good reconstructive options. Nevertheless, more specific postoperative functional deficiencies like VPI and HN owns higher incidences, potentially affecting the quality of the swallowing and speaking function and the patient's quality of life.

Demographic variations and time to initiation of adjunct treatment following surgical resection of anaplastic astrocytoma in the United States: a National Cancer Database analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to analyze the trends, demographic differences in the type and time to initiation (TTI) of adjunct treatment AT following surgery for anaplastic astrocytoma (AA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients diagnosed with AA from 2004 to 2016. Cox proportional hazards and modeling was used to determine factors influencing survival, including the impact of time to initiation (TTI) of adjuvant therapy.

RESULTS

Overall, 5890 patients were identified from the database. The use of combined RT + CT temporally increased from 66.3% (2004-2007) to 79% (2014-2016), p < 0001. Patients more likely to receive no treatment following surgical resection included elderly (> 60 years old), hispanic patients, those with either no or government insurance, those living > 20 miles from the cancer facility, those treated at low volume centers (< 2 cases/year). AT was received following surgical resection within 0-4 weeks, 4.1-8 weeks, and > 8 weeks in 41%, 48%, and 3%, respectively. Compared to patients who received RT + CT, patients were likely to receive RT only as AT either at 4-8 weeks or > 8 weeks after the surgical procedure. Patients who received AT within 0-4 weeks had the 3-year OS of 46% compared to 56.7% for patients who received treatment at 4.1-8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

We found significant variation in the type and timing of adjunct treatment following surgical resection of AA in the United States. A considerable number of patients (15%) received no AT following surgery.

The impact of lag time to cancer diagnosis and treatment on clinical outcomes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer care, raising concerns regarding the impact of wait time, or 'lag time', on clinical outcomes. We aimed to contextualize pandemic-related lag times by mapping pre-pandemic evidence from systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses on the association between lag time to cancer diagnosis and treatment with mortality- and morbidity-related outcomes.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews for reviews published prior to the pandemic (1 January 2010-31 December 2019). We extracted data on methodological characteristics, lag time interval start and endpoints, qualitative findings from systematic reviews, and pooled risk estimates of mortality- (i.e., overall survival) and morbidity- (i.e., local regional control) related outcomes from meta-analyses. We categorized lag times according to milestones across the cancer care continuum and summarized outcomes by cancer site and lag time interval.

Results

We identified 9032 records through database searches, of which 29 were eligible. We classified 33 unique types of lag time intervals across 10 cancer sites, of which breast, colorectal, head and neck, and ovarian cancers were investigated most. Two systematic reviews investigating lag time to diagnosis reported different findings regarding survival outcomes among paediatric patients with Ewing's sarcomas or central nervous system tumours. Comparable risk estimates of mortality were found for lag time intervals from surgery to adjuvant chemotherapy for breast, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. Risk estimates of pathologic complete response indicated an optimal time window of 7-8 weeks for neoadjuvant chemotherapy completion prior to surgery for rectal cancers. In comparing methods across meta-analyses on the same cancer sites, lag times, and outcomes, we identified critical variations in lag time research design.

Conclusions

Our review highlighted measured associations between lag time and cancer-related outcomes and identified the need for a standardized methodological approach in areas such as lag time definitions and accounting for the waiting-time paradox. Prioritization of lag time research is integral for revised cancer care guidelines under pandemic contingency and assessing the pandemic's long-term effect on patients with cancer.

Funding

The present work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR-COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding opportunity, VR5-172666 grant to Eduardo L. Franco). Parker Tope, Eliya Farah, and Rami Ali each received an MSc. stipend from the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University.

Association of perioperative adverse events with subsequent therapy and overall survival in patients with WHO grade III and IV gliomas

Background

Maximum safe resection followed by chemoradiotherapy as current standard of care for WHO grade III and IV gliomas can be influenced by the occurrence of perioperative adverse events (AE). The aim of this study was to determine the association of AE with the timing and choice of subsequent treatments as well as with overall survival (OS).

Methods

Prospectively collected data of 283 adult patients undergoing surgery for WHO grade III and IV gliomas at the University Hospital Zurich between January 2013 and June 2017 were analyzed. We assessed basic patient characteristics, KPS, extent of resection, and WHO grade, and we classified AE as well as modality, timing of subsequent treatment (delay, interruption, or non-initiation), and OS.

Results

In 117 patients (41%), an AE was documented between surgery and the 3-month follow-up. There was a significant association of AE with an increased time to initiation of subsequent therapy (p = 0.005) and a higher rate of interruption (p < 0.001) or non-initiation (p < 0.001). AE grades correlated with time to initiation of subsequent therapy (p = 0.038). AEs were associated with shorter OS in univariate analysis (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

AEs are associated with delayed and/or altered subsequent therapy and can therefore limit OS. These data emphasize the importance of safety within the maximum-safe-resection concept.

Predictors and Impact of Postoperative 30-Day Readmission in Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Postoperative 30-day readmissions have been shown to negatively affect survival and other important outcomes in patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

OBJECTIVE

To further investigate patient readmission risk factors of primary and recurrent patients with GBM.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed records of 418 adult patients undergoing 575 craniotomies for histologically confirmed GBM at an academic medical center. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical characteristics were collected and compared by patient readmission status using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U testing. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors that predicted 30-day readmissions.

RESULTS

The cohort included 69 (12%) 30-day readmissions after 575 operations. Readmitted patients experienced significantly lower median overall survival (11.3 vs 16.4 months, P = .014), had a lower mean Karnofsky Performance Scale score (66.9 vs 74.2, P = .005), and had a longer initial length of stay (6.1 vs 5.3 days, P = .007) relative to their nonreadmitted counterparts. Readmitted patients experienced more postoperative deep vein thromboses or pulmonary embolisms (12% vs 4%, P = .006), new motor deficits (29% vs 14%, P = .002), and nonhome discharges (39% vs 22%, P = .005) relative to their nonreadmitted counterparts. Multivariable analysis demonstrated increased odds of 30-day readmission with each 10-point decrease in Karnofsky Performance Scale score (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, P = .002), each single-point increase in 5-factor modified frailty index (OR 1.51, P = .016), and initial presentation with cognitive deficits (OR 2.11, P = .013).

CONCLUSION

Preoperatively available clinical characteristics strongly predicted 30-day readmissions in patients undergoing surgery for GBM. Opportunities may exist to optimize preoperative and postoperative management of at-risk patients with GBM, with downstream improvements in clinical outcomes.

Treatments of gliosarcoma of the brain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gliosarcoma (GSM) is a rare central nervous system tumor. Clinical management of it is similar to glioblastoma (GBM). However, due to a few comparative studies exist, uncertainty and disagreements remain in the literatures. To assess the available evidence on the value of different treatments and to carry out an up-to-date evaluation to summarize the evidence for the optimal treatment in GSM patients. Free words were used to search for the relevant studies without language limitations in electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to September 15, 2019. Pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. The main endpoint was all-cause mortality. Overall, 10 studies published between 2008 and 2018 including 803 patients were selected for the meta-analysis. Temozolomide (TMZ)-dominated chemotherapy was associated with a reduced risk of overall survival (OS), with HR 0.49 (95% CI 0.37-0.66). The pooled HR of OS was 0.40 (95% CI 0.29-0.56) between radiotherapy and without radiotherapy. The pooled HR (0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.85) indicated gross total resection (GTR) had a positive impact on OS in GSM. In patients with GSM, survival benefits as currently performed are associated with TMZ-dominated chemotherapy and high-dose radiotherapy. Our systematic review and meta-analysis also demonstrate GTR is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality in patients with primary GSM.

The Role of Delayed Radiotherapy Initiation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma with Residual Tumor Mass

OBJECTIVE

 Treatment for newly diagnosed isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) includes maximum safe resection, followed by adjuvant radio(chemo)therapy (RCx) with temozolomide. There is evidence that it is safe for GBM patients to prolong time to irradiation over 4 weeks after surgery. This study aimed at evaluating whether this applies to GBM patients with different levels of residual tumor volume (RV).

METHODS

 Medical records of all patients with newly diagnosed GBM at our department between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed. Patients who received adjuvant radio (chemo) therapy, aged older than 18 years, and with adequate perioperative imaging were included. Initial and residual tumor volumes were determined. Time to irradiation was dichotomized into two groups (≤28 and >28 days). Univariate analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimate and log-rank test was performed. Survival prediction and multivariate analysis were performed employing Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

 One hundred and twelve patients were included. Adjuvant treatment regimen, extent of resection, residual tumor volume, and O⁶-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation were statistically significant factors for overall survival (OS). Time to irradiation had no impact on progression-free survival (p = 0.946) or OS (p = 0.757). When stratified for different thresholds of residual tumor volume, survival predication via Cox regression favored time to irradiation below 28 days for patients with residual tumor volume above 2 mL, but statistical significance was not reached.

CONCLUSION

 Time to irradiation had no significant influence on OS of the entire cohort. Nevertheless, a statistically nonsignificant survival prolongation could be observed in patients with residual tumor volume > 2 mL when admitted to radiotherapy within 28 days after surgery.

Optimal timing of chemoradiotherapy after surgical resection of glioblastoma: Stratification by validated prognostic classification

BACKGROUND

Previous studies examining the time to initiate chemoradiation (CRT) after surgical resection of glioblastoma have been conflicting. To better define the effect that the timing of adjuvant treatment may have on outcomes, the authors examined patients within the National Cancer Database (NCDB) stratified by a validated prognostic classification system.

METHODS

Patients with glioblastoma in the NCDB who underwent surgery and CRT from 2004 through 2013 were analyzed. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class (III, IV, V) was extrapolated for the cohort. Time intervals were grouped weekly, with weeks 4 to 5 serving as the reference category for analyses. Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank testing, and multivariate (MVA) Cox proportional hazards regression were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 30,414 patients were included. RPA classes III, IV, and V contained 5250, 20,855, and 4309 patients, respectively. On MVA, no time point after week 5 was associated with a change in overall survival for the entire cohort or for any RPA class subgroup. The periods of weeks 0 to 1 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36), >1 to 2 (HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16-1.31), and >2 to 3 (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07-1.15) demonstrated slightly worse overall survival (all P < .03). The detriment to early initiation was consistent across each RPA class subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

The current data provide insight into the optimal timing of CRT in patients with glioblastoma and describe RPA class-specific outcomes. In general, short delays beyond 5 weeks did not negatively affect outcomes, whereas early initiation before 3 weeks may be detrimental.

The impact of the time to start radiation therapy on overall survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma

PURPOSE

The standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma includes maximal safe surgical resection followed by concurrent radiation therapy and temozolomide (TMZ) and maintenance TMZ. The impact of time to start radiation therapy (TRT) on overall survival (OS) in glioblastoma patients is controversial. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of TRT on OS in patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who received standard treatment.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we included patients with confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma treated from 2011 to 2016. TRT was defined as the time between surgery (biopsy or resection) and the first day of radiation therapy. The endpoint was OS. The patients were divided according to the TRT in three categories: < 30 days, 30-60 days and ≥ 60 days.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were included with a mean age of 51.82 years (range 19-78 years). Median TRT was 80 days. On univariate and multivariable analysis, we identified age as the only significant independent predictor for OS. There was no statistically significant negative impact of TRT on OS (p = 0.47).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no clear evidence that delaying post-operative combined chemoradiotherapy negatively impacts OS, not even for TRT longer than 60 days.

Survival after radiation therapy for high-grade glioma

Background

High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are a heterogeneous disease group, with variable prognosis, inevitably causing deterioration of the quality of life. The estimated 2-year overall survival is 20%, despite the best trimodality treatment consisting of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Aim

To evaluate long-term survival outcomes and factors influencing the survival of patients with high-grade gliomas treated with radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

Data from 47 patients diagnosed with high-grade gliomas between 2009 and 2014 and treated with three-dimensional radiotherapy (3DRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Median survival was 16.6 months; 29 patients (62%) died before the time of analysis. IMRT was employed in 68% of cases. The mean duration of radiotherapy was 56 days, and the mean delay to the start of radiotherapy was 61.7 days (range, 27-123 days). There were no statistically significant effects of duration of radiotherapy or delay to the start of radiotherapy on patient outcomes.

Conclusions

Age, total amount of gross resection, histological type, and use of adjuvant temozolomide influenced survival rate (p < 0.05). The estimated overall survival was 18 months (Kaplan-Meier estimator). Our results corroborated those reported in the literature.

Hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART) with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide in newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a phase II randomized trial (HART-GBM trial)

INTRODUCTION

Maximal safe surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemoradiation has been standard for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART) has the potential to improve outcome as it reduces the overall treatment time and increases the biological effective dose.

METHODS

Between October 2011 and July 2017, a total of 89 newly diagnosed GBM patients were randomized to conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CRT) or HART. Radiotherapy was delivered in all patients with a three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy technique in CRT arm (60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks @ 2 Gy/per fraction) or simultaneous integrated boost intensity modulated radiotherapy in HART arm (60 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks @ 3 Gy/per fraction to high-risk planning target volume (PTV) and 50 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks @ 2.5 Gy/per fraction to low-risk PTV). The primary endpoint of the trial was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 11.4 months (Range: 2.9-42.5 months), 26 patients died and 39 patients had progression of the disease. Median OS for the entire cohort was 23.4 months. Median OS in the CRT and HART arms were 18.07 months (95% CI 14.52-NR) and 25.18 months (95% CI 12.89-NR) respectively, p = 0.3. Median progression free survival (PFS) for the entire cohort was 13.5 months (Range: 11.7-15.7 months). In multivariate analysis patients younger than 40 years of age, patients with a gross total resection of tumor and a mutated IDH-1 had significantly better OS. PFS was significantly better for patients with a gross total resection of tumor and a mutated IDH-1. All patients included in the trial completed the planned course of radiation. Only two patients required hospital admission for features of raised intracranial tension. One patient in the HART arm required treatment interruption.

CONCLUSION

HART is comparable to CRT in terms of survival outcome. HART arm had no excess treatment interruption and minimal toxicity. Dose escalation, reduction in overall treatment time, is the advantages with use of HART.

Delay in starting radiotherapy due to neoadjuvant therapy does not worsen survival in unresected glioblastoma patients

PURPOSE

We retrospectively examined the potential effect on overall survival (OS) of delaying radiotherapy to administer neoadjuvant therapy in unresected glioblastoma patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We compared OS in 119 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by standard treatment (NA group) and 96 patients receiving standard treatment without neoadjuvant therapy (NoNA group). The MaxStat package of R identified the optimal cut-off point for waiting time to radiotherapy.

RESULTS

OS was similar in the NA and NoNA groups. Median waiting time to radiotherapy after surgery was 13 weeks for the NA group and 4.2 weeks for the NoNA group. The longest OS was attained by patients who started radiotherapy after 12 weeks and the shortest by patients who started radiotherapy within 4 weeks (12.3 vs 6.6 months) (P = 0.05). OS was 6.6 months for patients who started radiotherapy before the optimal cutoff of 6.43 weeks and 19.1 months for those who started after this time (P = 0.005). Patients who completed radiotherapy had longer OS than those who did not, in all 215 patients and in the NA and NoNA groups (P = 0.000). In several multivariate analyses, completing radiotherapy was a universally favorable prognostic factor, while neoadjuvant therapy was never identified as a negative prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

In our series of unresected patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment, in spite of the delay in starting radiotherapy, OS was not inferior to that of a similar group of patients with no delay in starting radiotherapy.

Residual enhancing disease after surgery for glioblastoma: evaluation of practice in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

A growing body of clinical data highlights the prognostic importance of achieving gross total resection (GTR) in patients with glioblastoma. The aim of this study was to determine nationwide practice and attitudes towards achieving GTR and dealing with residual enhancing disease.

METHODS

The study was in 2 parts: an electronic questionnaire sent to United Kingdom neuro-oncology surgeons to assess surgical practice followed by a 3-month prospective, multicenter observational study of current neurosurgical oncology practice.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven surgeons representing 22 neurosurgical units completed the questionnaire. Prospective data were collected for 113 patients from 15 neurosurgical units. GTR was deemed to be achieved at time of surgery in 82% (91/111) of cases, but in only 45% (36/80) on postoperative MRI. Residual enhancing disease was deemed operable in 16.3% (13/80) of cases, however, no patient underwent early repeat surgery for residual enhancing disease. The most commonly cited reason (38.5%, 5/13) was perceived lack of clinical benefit.

CONCLUSION

There is a subset of patients for whom GTR is thought possible, but not achieved at surgery. For these patients, early repeat resection may improve overall survival. Further prospective surgical research is required to better define the prognostic implications of GTR for residual enhancing disease and examine the potential benefit of this early re-intervention.

Impact of Timing of Adjuvant Chemoradiation for Glioblastoma in a Large Hospital Database

BACKGROUND

Although the standard of care for glioblastoma remains maximal safe resection followed by chemoradiation, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the importance of the time interval between these 2 treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether differences in the duration between surgery and initiation of chemoradiation for glioblastoma had an impact on overall survival (OS) in a large hospital-based database.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was queried to identify patients diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2010 and 2012 treated with surgery followed by chemoradiation. Patients who received biopsy only were excluded. The time from surgery to initiation of radiation therapy was divided into 4 equal quartiles of ≤24, 25 to 30, 31 to 37, and &gt;37 d. Patient characteristics were compared between groups using Pearson Chi Square and Fisher's Exact test. OS was analyzed via the Kaplan–Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were performed to assess for impact of covariables on OS.

RESULTS

A total of 11 652 patients were included in the analysis. Median duration from surgery to radiation was 30 d. On multivariable regression, black race, larger tumor, gross-total resection, methyguanine-methyl transferase (MGMT+), and treatment at an academic facility were associated with a duration &gt;30 d. On multivariable analysis, there were no significant differences when comparing start within 24 d to 25 to 30 d (hazard ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-1.01, P = .13) or &gt; 37 d (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91-1.03, P = .26), although a small OS improvement was seen if initiated within 31 to 37 d (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

There was no clear association between duration from surgery to initiation of chemoradiation on OS.

Impact of interim progression during the surgery-to-radiotherapy interval and its predictors in glioblastoma treated with temozolomide-based radiochemotherapy

This study was designed to investigate the impact of interim progression of disease (PD) during the surgery-to-radiotherapy interval (SRI) and its predictors in glioblastoma based on MRIs. A total of 222 patients were planned for radiotherapy (RT) and 166 of them were evaluable for the presence of interim PD by 2 separate MRIs. The size criteria from the updated Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology criteria was adopted to determine interim PD. 32 (19.3%) patients experienced interim PD, and their median survival (MS) was shorter than patients without PD in univariate (11.3 vs. 19.6 months, p < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (HR 2.237, 95% CI 1.367-3.660, p = 0.002). The volume of residual enhancing tumor (p = 0.003) and prolongation of the SRI (p = 0.004) were significant predictors of interim PD. Every 1-cc increase in residual enhancing tumor and every 1-day prolongation of the SRI significantly increased the risk of interim PD by 3.9% (p = 0.003) and 8.1% (p = 0.004), respectively. A significant portion of patients demonstrate interim PD during SRI and these patients have poor prognosis. The presence of interim PD should be concerned as a significant confounding factor for stratification in future clinical trials. A baseline pre-RT MRI is essential for accurate disease evaluation and RT-target delineation, especially in patients with larger residual disease after surgery and prolonged SRI due to the high risk of interim PD.

Early postoperative tumor progression predicts clinical outcome in glioblastoma-implication for clinical trials

Molecular markers define the diagnosis of glioblastoma in the new WHO classification of 2016, challenging neuro-oncology centers to provide timely treatment initiation. The aim of this study was to determine whether a time delay to treatment initiation was accompanied by signs of early tumor progression in an MRI before the start of radiotherapy, and, if so, whether this influences the survival of glioblastoma patients. Images from 61 patients with early post-surgery MRI and a second MRI just before the start of radiotherapy were examined retrospectively for signs of early tumor progression. Survival information was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and a Cox multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent variables for survival prediction. 59 percent of patients showed signs of early tumor progression after a mean time of 24.1 days from the early post-surgery MRI to the start of radiotherapy. Compared to the group without signs of early tumor progression, which had a mean time of 23.3 days (p = 0.685, Student’s t test), progression free survival was reduced from 320 to 185 days (HR 2.3; CI 95% 1.3–4.0; p = 0.0042, log-rank test) and overall survival from 778 to 329 days (HR 2.9; CI 95% 1.6–5.1; p = 0.0005). A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the Karnofsky performance score, O-6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, and signs of early tumor progression are prognostic markers of overall survival. Early tumor progression at the start of radiotherapy is associated with a worse prognosis for glioblastoma patients. A standardized baseline MRI might allow for better patient stratification.