Patterns of care and outcomes among elderly individuals with primary malignant astrocytoma

Glioblastoma in the oldest old: Clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcome in patients aged 80 years and older

Background

Incidence rates of glioblastoma in very old patients are rising. The standard of care for this cohort is only partially defined and survival remains poor. The aims of this study were to reveal current practice of tumor-specific therapy and supportive care, and to identify predictors for survival in this cohort.

Methods

Patients aged 80 years or older at the time of glioblastoma diagnosis were retrospectively identified in 6 clinical centers in Switzerland and France. Demographics, clinical parameters, and survival outcomes were annotated from patient charts. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to identify parameters associated with survival.

Results

Of 107 patients, 45 were diagnosed by biopsy, 30 underwent subtotal resection, and 25 had gross total resection. In 7 patients, the extent of resection was not specified. Postoperatively, 34 patients did not receive further tumor-specific treatment. Twelve patients received radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, but only 2 patients had maintenance temozolomide therapy. Fourteen patients received temozolomide alone, 35 patients received radiotherapy alone, 1 patient received bevacizumab, and 1 took part in a clinical trial. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.3 months and median overall survival (OS) was 4.2 months. Among patients who received any postoperative treatment, median PFS was 3.9 months and median OS was 7.2 months. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥70%, gross total resection, and combination therapy were associated with better outcomes. The median time spent hospitalized was 30 days, accounting for 23% of the median OS. End-of-life care was mostly provided by nursing homes (n = 20; 32%) and palliative care wards (n = 16; 26%).

Conclusions

In this cohort of very old patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, a large proportion was treated with best supportive care. Treatment beyond surgery and, in particular, combined modality treatment were associated with longer OS and may be considered for selected patients even at higher ages.

Overall survival prediction for high-grade glioma patients using mathematical modeling of tumor cell infiltration

PURPOSE

This study aimed at applying a mathematical framework for the prediction of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) cell invasion into normal tissues for guiding the clinical target delineation, and at investigating the possibility of using tumor infiltration maps for patient overall survival (OS) prediction.

MATERIAL & METHODS

A model describing tumor infiltration into normal tissue was applied to 93 HGG cases. Tumor infiltration maps and corresponding isocontours with different cell densities were produced. ROC curves were used to seek correlations between the patient OS and the volume encompassed by a particular isocontour. Area-Under-the-Curve (AUC) values were used to determine the isocontour having the highest predictive ability. The optimal cut-off volume, having the highest sensitivity and specificity, for each isocontour was used to divide the patients in two groups for a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

The highest AUC value was obtained for the isocontour of cell densities 1000 cells/mm3 and 2000 cells/mm3, equal to 0.77 (p < 0.05). Correlation with the GTV yielded an AUC of 0.73 (p < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis using the 1000 cells/mm3 isocontour and the ROC optimal cut-off volume for patient group selection rendered a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.7 (p < 0.05), while the GTV rendered a HR = 1.6 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The simulated tumor cell invasion is a stronger predictor of overall survival than the segmented GTV, indicating the importance of using mathematical models for cell invasion to assist in the definition of the target for HGG patients.

Surgical management of Glioma Grade 4: technical update from the neuro-oncology section of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch®): a systematic review

PURPOSE

The extent of resection (EOR) is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) in adult patients with Glioma Grade 4 (GG4). The aim of the neuro-oncology section of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch®) was to provide a general overview of the current trends and technical tools to reach this goal.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed. The results were divided and ordered, by an expert team of surgeons, to assess the Class of Evidence (CE) and Strength of Recommendation (SR) of perioperative drugs management, imaging, surgery, intraoperative imaging, estimation of EOR, surgery at tumor progression and surgery in elderly patients.

RESULTS

A total of 352 studies were identified, including 299 retrospective studies and 53 reviews/meta-analysis. The use of Dexamethasone and the avoidance of prophylaxis with anti-seizure medications reached a CE I and SR A. A preoperative imaging standard protocol was defined with CE II and SR B and usefulness of an early postoperative MRI, with CE II and SR B. The EOR was defined the strongest independent risk factor for both OS and tumor recurrence with CE II and SR B. For intraoperative imaging only the use of 5-ALA reached a CE II and SR B. The estimation of EOR was established to be fundamental in planning postoperative adjuvant treatments with CE II and SR B and the stereotactic image-guided brain biopsy to be the procedure of choice when an extensive surgical resection is not feasible (CE II and SR B).

CONCLUSIONS

A growing number of evidences evidence support the role of maximal safe resection as primary OS predictor in GG4 patients. The ongoing development of intraoperative techniques for a precise real-time identification of peritumoral functional pathways enables surgeons to maximize EOR minimizing the post-operative morbidity.

Impact of Extended Adjuvant Temozolamide Beyond 6 Months in the Management of Glioblastoma Patients

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to assess the benefit of prolonging adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) therapy beyond 6 cycles in glioblastoma multiform patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The medical records of 329 patients in 2 cancer centers in Egypt were reviewed from January 2008 to December 2018 who were diagnosed with diffuse gliomas. Data were collected on patient demographics, presenting complaints, tumor size, treatment modalities (extent of surgery, radiotherapy dose and technique, concomitant TMZ, and the number of adjuvant TMZ cycles), and reported adverse events.

RESULTS

In the studied cohort, 105 patients were treated with adjuvant TMZ, 33 patients received <6 cycles (TMZL), 41 patients received the standard 6 cycles (TMZS), and 31 patients received >6 cycles (TMZE). Our results showed the median overall survival in the TMZL arm was 8.47 months compared with 15.83 months in the TMZS arm and 27.33 months in the TMZE arm ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, a median progression-free survival of 6.35 months was reported in the TMZL group versus, 12.7 and 22.90 months in (TMZS) and (TMZE) groups, respectively( P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the extended adjuvant TMZ with a hazard ratio of 3.106 (95% CI: 2.43-14.46; P < 0.001) was statistically significantly associated with a better outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended adjuvant TMZ therapy beyond 6 cycles may significantly improve the progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with glioblastoma multiform.

Surgeon experience in glioblastoma surgery of the elderly-a multicenter, retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of individual surgeon experience on overall survival (OS), extent of resection (EOR) and surgery-related morbidity in elderly patients with glioblastoma (GBM), we performed a retrospective case-by-case analysis.

METHODS

GBM patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent tumor resection at two academic centers were analyzed. The experience of each neurosurgeon was quantified in three ways: (1) total number of previously performed glioma surgeries (lifetime experience); (2) number of surgeries performed in the previous five years (medium-term experience) and (3) in the last two years (short-term experience). Surgeon experience data was correlated with survival (OS) and surrogate parameters for surgical quality (EOR, morbidity).

RESULTS

198 GBM patients (median age 73.0 years, median preoperative KPS 80, IDH-wildtype status 96.5%) were included. Median OS was 10.0 months (95% CI 8.0-12.0); median EOR was 89.4%. Surgery-related morbidity affected 19.7% patients. No correlations of lifetime surgeon experience with OS (P = .693), EOR (P = .693), and surgery-related morbidity (P = .435) were identified. Adjuvant therapy was associated with improved OS (P < .001); patients with surgery-related morbidity were less likely to receive adjuvant treatment (P = .002). In multivariable testing, adjuvant therapy (P < .001; HR = 0.064, 95%CI 0.028-0.144) remained the only significant predictor for improved OS.

CONCLUSION

Less experienced neurosurgeons achieve similar surgical results and outcome in elderly GBM patients within the setting of academic teaching hospitals. Adjuvant treatment and avoidance of surgery-related morbidity are crucial for generating a treatment benefit for this cohort.

Recurrent glioblastoma in elderly: Options and decision for the treatment

Background:

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adult. Its incidence increases with age and nearly half of the all newly diagnosed GBM cases are older than 65 years. Management of GBM in elderly is challenging and recurrence poses further challenge. This article aims to review the literature, evaluate the various options, and to decide the treatment plan in elderly cases with GBM recurrence.

Methods:

A systemic search was performed with the phrase “recurrent GBM (rGBM) in elderly and management” as a search term in PubMed central, Medline, and Embase databases to identify all the articles published on the subject till February 2022. The review included peer-reviewed original articles, review articles, clinical trials, and keywords in title and abstract.

Results:

Out of 473 articles searched, 15 studies followed our inclusion criteria and were included in this review. In 15 studies, ten were original and five were review articles. The minimum age group included in these studies was ≥65 years. Out of 15 studies, eight studies had described the role of resurgery, four chemotherapy, three resurgery and/or chemotherapy, and only one study on role of reradiotherapy in patients with rGBM. Out of eight studies described the role of resurgery, six have mentioned improved survival and two have no survival advantage of resurgery in cases of rGBM.

Conclusion:

Resurgery is the main treatment option in selected elderly rGBM cases in good performance status. In patients with poor performance status, chemotherapy has better post progression survival than best supportive care.

Utility of Administrative Databases and Big Data on Understanding Glioma Treatment—A Systematic Review

Background Gliomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors where large multicenter clinical and genetic studies have become increasingly popular in their understanding. We reviewed and analyzed the findings from large databases in gliomas, seeking to understand clinically relevant information.

Methods A systematic review was performed for gliomas studied using large administrative databases up to January 2020 (e.g., National Inpatient Sample [NIS], National Surgical Quality Improvement Program [NSQIP], and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program [SEER], National Cancer Database [NCDB], and others).

Results Out of 390 screened studies, 122 were analyzed. Studies included a wide range of gliomas including low- and high-grade gliomas. The SEER database (n = 83) was the most used database followed by NCDB (n = 28). The most common pathologies included glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (n = 67), with the next category including mixes of grades II to IV glioma (n = 31). Common study themes involved evaluation of descriptive epidemiological trends, prognostic factors, comparison of different pathologies, and evaluation of outcome trends over time. Persistent health care disparities in patient outcomes were frequently seen depending on race, marital status, insurance status, hospital volume, and location, which did not change over time. Most studies showed improvement in survival because of advances in surgical and adjuvant treatments.

Conclusions This study helps summarize the use of clinical administrative databases in gliomas research, informing on socioeconomic issues, surgical outcomes, and adjuvant treatments over time on a national level. Large databases allow for some study questions that would not be possible with single institution data; however, limitations remain in data curation, analysis, and reporting methods.

Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma in Elderly Patients

Purpose of Review

Elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (eGBM) carry a worse prognosis compared with their younger counterparts. eGBM garners special attention due to the unique challenges, including increased treatment-associated toxicity, less relative benefit from aggressive therapy, medical comorbidities, and immunosuppression. The pivotal GBM trials excluded patients > 70 years old and the optimal treatment approach remains unsettled for eGBM. In this review, we analyze the historical evidence-based data for treating eGBM and discuss the future direction for managing this vulnerable population.

Recent Findings

Treatment for eGBM continues to evolve. Therapy choice is guided by performance status and presence of O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. For eGBM with good performance status, combinatorial hypofractionated radiation therapy (hRT) and temozolomide should be recommended. For those with poor performance status, further stratification based on MGMT promoter methylation test result is recommended. Single-agent temozolomide is a viable treatment option for MGMT methylated tumors (mMGMT); in particular, those classified with receptor tyrosine kinase II methylation. hRT alone can be considered in MGMT unmethylated (uMGMT) eGBM patients. As precision oncology continues to advance, effective targeted and immunotherapy may emerge as new treatment options for eGBM.

Summary

Management of elderly patients with newly diagnosed GBM carries a unique set of challenges. Progress has been made in defining the optimal therapeutic approach for these patients, but many questions remain to be answered.

Treatment of Older Adult Patients with Glioblastoma: Moving towards the Inclusion of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Guiding Management

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, and over half of patients with newly diagnosed GBM are over the age of 65. Management of glioblastoma in older patients includes maximal safe resection followed by either radiation, chemotherapy, or combined modality treatment. Despite recent advances in the treatment of older patients with GBM, survival is still only approximately 9 months compared to approximately 15 months for the general adult population, suggesting that further research is required to optimize management in the older population. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) has been shown to have a prognostic and predictive role in the management of older patients with other cancers, and domains of the CGA have demonstrated an association with outcomes in GBM in retrospective studies. Furthermore, the CGA and other geriatric assessment tools are now starting to be prospectively investigated in older GBM populations. This review aims to outline current treatment strategies for older patients with GBM, explore the rationale for inclusion of geriatric assessment in GBM management, and highlight recent data investigating its implementation into practice.

OUP accepted manuscript

Background

Population-based analyses of patterns of care and survival of older patients diagnosed with grade II-III oligodendroglioma (OLI) or astrocytoma (AST) can aid clinicians in their understanding and care of these patients.

Methods

We identified patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2015 with primary glioma diagnoses (OLI or AST) who were older than 65 years using the latest release of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare–linked database. Medicare claims were used to identify cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy) from 2006 to 2016. Kaplan-Meier methodology was used to describe overall survival (OS). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to associate variables of interest, including treatments in a time-dependent manner, with OS. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from multivariable, cause-specific competing risk models identified associations with treatments. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

We identified 1291 patients comprising 158 with OLI, 1043 with AST, and 90 with mixed histologies. Median OS was 6.5 (95% CI = 6.1 to 7.3) months for the overall cohort, 22.6 (95% CI = 13.9 to 33.1) months for OLI, and 5.8 (95% CI = 5.3 to 6.4) months for AST. Patients who received surgery and patients who received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy in combination experienced better OS (HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.79 to 0.96, and HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.96, respectively). Over the time frame studied, there was a 4.0% increase per year in prescription of chemotherapy (P = .03) and a 2.0% improvement in OS for each calendar year (P = .003).

Conclusions

We provide population-based evidence that patients older than 65 years with grade II-III glioma have experienced increased chemotherapy use as well as improvement in survival over time.

Efficacy, Outcome, and Safety of Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma in the 5-ALA Era: Single Center Experience of More Than 10 Years

Simple Summary

In the next decades, the incidence of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) will markedly increase due to the growth of the elderly population. Despite the increasing incidence of GBM, elderly patients are frequently excluded from clinical studies and thus, only few data are available specifically focusing on the elderly population. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy, outcome, and safety of surgically-treated GBM including resections and biopsies in the 5-ALA era in a large elderly cohort of altogether 272 patients. Our data of this large elderly cohort demonstrate for the first time the clinical utility and safety of 5-ALA fluorescence in GBM for improved tumor visualization in both resections as well as biopsies. Therefore, we recommend the use of 5-ALA not only in resections, but also in open/stereotactic biopsies to optimize the neurosurgical management of elderly GBM patients.

Abstract

Background: In the next decades, the incidence of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) will increase due to the growth of the elderly population. Fluorescence-guided resection using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is widely applied to achieve maximal safe resection of GBM and is identified as a novel intraoperative marker for diagnostic tissue during biopsies. However, detailed analyses of the use of 5-ALA in resections as well as biopsies in a large elderly cohort are still missing. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the efficacy, outcome, and safety of surgically- treated GBM in the 5-ALA era in a large elderly cohort. Methods: All GBM patients aged 65 years or older who underwent neurosurgical intervention between 2007 and 2019 were included. Data on 5-ALA application, intraoperative fluorescence status, and 5-ALA-related side effects were derived from our databank. In the case of resection, the tumor resectability and the extent of resection were determined. Potential prognostic parameters relevant for overall survival were analyzed. Results: 272 GBM patients with a median age of 71 years were included. Intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence was applied in most neurosurgical procedures (n = 255/272, 88%) and visible fluorescence was detected in most cases (n = 252/255, 99%). In biopsies, 5-ALA was capable of visualizing tumor tissue by visible fluorescence in all but one case (n = 91/92, 99%). 5-ALA administration did not result in any severe side effects. Regarding patient outcome, smaller preoperative tumor volume (<22.75 cm³), gross total resection, single lesions, improved postoperative neurological status, and concomitant radio-chemotherapy showed a significantly longer overall survival. Conclusions: Our data of this large elderly cohort demonstrate the clinical utility and safety of 5-ALA fluorescence in GBM for improved tumor visualization in both resections as well as biopsies. Therefore, we recommend the use of 5-ALA not only in resections, but also in open/stereotactic biopsies to optimize the neurosurgical management of elderly GBM patients.

Surgical strategies for older patients with glioblastoma

Objective

While adjuvant treatment regimens have been modified for older patients with glioblastoma (GBM), surgical strategies have not been tailored.

Methods

Clinical data of 48 consecutive patients aged 70 years or older, who underwent surgical resection for GBM with intraoperative ultrasonography (IoUS) alone or combination with intraoperative MRI (IoMRI) at Yale New Haven Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Variables were analyzed, and comparative analyses were performed.

Results

The addition of IoMRI was not superior to IoUS alone in terms of overall survival (OS) (P = 0.306), Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) at postoperative 6 weeks (P = 0.704) or extent of resection (P = 0.263). Length of surgery (LOSx), however, was significantly longer (P = 0.0002) in the IoMRI group. LOSx (P = 0.015) and hospital stay (P = 0.025) were predictors of postoperative complications. Increased EOR (GTR or NTR) (P = 0.030), postoperative adjuvant treatment (P < 0.0001) and postoperative complications (P = 0.006) were predictive for OS. Patients with relatively lower preoperative KPS scores (<70) showed significant improvement at postoperative 6 weeks (P<0.0001). Patients with complications (P = 0.038) were more likely to have lower KPS at postoperative 6 weeks.

Conclusions

Aggressive management with surgical resection should be considered in older patients with GBM, even those with relatively poor KPS. The use of ioMRI in this population does not appear to confer any measurable benefit over ioUS in experienced hands, but prolongs the length of surgery significantly, which is a preventable prognostic factor for impeding care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03862-z.

Distance traveled to glioblastoma treatment: A measure of the impact of socioeconomic status on survival

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown improved post-surgical outcomes in patients who travel farther for glioblastoma treatment. This study investigates socioeconomic and facility factors that may influence this relationship.

METHODS

Overall survival was calculated and compared by distance to treatment facility using univariate and multivariate survival models. The analysis was stratified by facility type, income quartile and insurance status and the association re-evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were created to analyze the relationship between overall survival and distance group.

RESULTS

Individuals who traveled less than 5 miles to treatment had the shortest overall survival (11.8 months), while those who traveled greater than 50 miles had the longest survival (12.9 months). Stratification by income quartile failed to demonstrate an association between distance traveled and survival for those making less than $63,000 (adjusted hazard ratio range: 0.94-1.01). There was no association between survival and distance traveled for patients treated at a community cancer center, comprehensive community cancer center or an integrated network cancer program (adjusted hazard ratio range: 0.86-1.04).

CONCLUSION

Financial strain, rather than distance traveled to treatment, may be associated with glioblastoma survival.

Impact of race on care, readmissions, and survival for patients with glioblastoma: an analysis of the National Cancer Database

Background

The objective of this study was to explore racial/ethnic factors that may be associated with survival in patients with glioblastoma by querying the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

Methods

The NCDB was queried for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2004 and 2014. Patient demographic variables included age at diagnosis, sex, race, ethnicity, Charlson-Deyo score, insurance status, and rural/urban/metropolitan location of zip code. Treatment variables included surgical treatment, extent of resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, type of radiation, and treatment facility type. Outcomes included 30-day readmission, 30- and 90-day mortality, and overall survival. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate variables associated with race and overall survival.

Results

A total of 103 652 glioblastoma patients were identified. There was a difference in the proportion of patients for whom surgery was performed, as well as the proportion receiving radiation, when stratified by race (P < .001). Black non-Hispanics had the highest rates of unplanned readmission (7.6%) within 30 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39 compared to White non-Hispanics, P < .001). Asian non-Hispanics had the lowest 30- (3.2%) and 90-day mortality (9.8%) when compared to other races (OR: 0.52 compared to White non-Hispanics, P = .031). Compared to White non-Hispanics, we found Black non-Hispanics (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.88, P < .001), Asian non-Hispanics (HR: 0.72, P < .001), and Hispanics (HR: 0.69, P < .001) had longer overall survival.

Conclusions

Differences in treatment and outcomes exist between races. Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiology of these race-related disparities and to improve outcomes for all patients.

High Grade Glioma Treatment in Elderly People: Is It Different Than in Younger Patients? Analysis of Surgical Management Guided by an Intraoperative Multimodal Approach and Its Impact on Clinical Outcome

OBJECTIVE

Age is considered a negative prognostic factor for High Grade Gliomas (HGGs) and many neurosurgeons remain skeptical about the benefits of aggressive treatment. New surgical and technological improvements may allow extended safe resection, with lower level of post-operative complications. This opportunity opens the unsolved question about the most appropriate HGG treatment in elderly patients. The aim of this study is to analyze if HGG maximal safe resection guided by an intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol coupled with neuromonitoring is associated with differences in outcome in elderly patients versus younger ones.

METHODS

We reviewed 100 patients, 53 (53%) males and 47 (47%) females, with median (IQR) age of 64 (57; 72) years. Eight patients were diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma (AA), 92 with Glioblastoma (GBM). Surgery was aimed to achieve safe maximal resection. An intraoperative multimodal imaging protocol, including neuronavigation, neurophysiological monitoring, 5-ALA fluorescence, 11C MET-PET, navigated i-US system and i-CT, was used, and its impact on EOTR and clinical outcome in elderly patients was analyzed. We divided patients in two groups according to their age: <65 and >65 years, and surgical and clinical results (EOTR, post-operative KPS, OS and PFS) were compared. Yet, to better understand age-related differences, the same patient cohort was also divided into <70 and >70 years and all the above data reanalyzed.

RESULTS

In the first cohort division, we did not found KPS difference over time and survival analysis did not show significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.36 for OS and p = 0.49 for PFS). Same results were obtained increasing the age cut-off for age up to 70 years (p = 0.52 for OS and p = 0.92 for PFS).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that there is not statistically significant difference in post-operative EOTR, KPS, OS, and PFS between younger and elderly patients treated with extensive tumor resection aided by a intraoperative multimodal protocol.

Importance and Evidence of Extent of Resection in Glioblastoma

Maximal safe resection is an essential part of the multidisciplinary care of patients with glioblastoma. A growing body of data shows that gross total resection is an independent prognostic factor associated with improved clinical outcome. The relationship between extent of glioblastoma (GB) resection and clinical benefit depends critically on the balance between cytoreduction and avoiding neurologic morbidity. The definition of the extent of tumor resection, how this is best measured pre- and postoperatively, and its relation to volume of residual tumor is still discussed. We review the literature supporting extent of resection in GB, highlighting the importance of a standardized definition and measurement of extent of resection to allow greater collaboration in research projects and trials. Recent developments in neurosurgical techniques and technologies focused on maximizing extent of resection and safety are discussed.

Impact of frailty on surgery for glioblastoma: a critical evaluation of patient outcomes and caregivers' perceptions in a developing country

OBJECTIVE

The authors aimed to evaluate the impact of age and frailty on the surgical outcomes of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) and to assess caregivers' perceptions regarding postdischarge care and challenges faced in the developing country of India.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with histopathologically proven GBM from 2009 to 2018. Data regarding the clinical and radiological characteristics as well as surgical outcomes were collected from the institute's electronic database. Taking Indian demographics into account, the authors used the cutoff age of 60 years to define patients as elderly. Frailty was estimated using the 11-point modified frailty index (mFI-11). Patients were divided into three groups: robust, with an mFI score of 0; moderately frail, with an mFI score of 1 or 2; and severely frail, with an mFI score ≥ 3. A questionnaire-based survey was done to assess caregivers' perceptions about postdischarge care.

RESULTS

Of the 276 patients, there were 93 (33.7%) elderly patients and 183 (66.3%) young or middle-aged patients. The proportion of severely frail patients was significantly more in the elderly group (38.7%) than in the young or middle-aged group (28.4%) (p < 0.001). The authors performed univariate and multivariate analysis of associations of different short-term outcomes with age, sex, frailty, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. On the multivariate analysis, only frailty was found to be a significant predictor for in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, and length of hospital and ICU stay (p < 0.001). On Cox regression analysis, the severely frail group was found to have a significantly lower overall survival rate compared with the moderately frail (p = 0.001) and robust groups (p < 0.001). With the increase in frailty, there was a concomitant increase in the requirement for readmissions (p = 0.003), postdischarge specialist care (p = 0.001), and help from extrafamilial sources (p < 0.001). Greater dissatisfaction with psychosocial and financial support among the caregivers of severely frail patients was seen as they found themselves ill-equipped to provide postdischarge care at home (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty is a better predictor of poorer surgical outcomes than chronological age in terms of duration of hospital and ICU stay, postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality. It also adds to the psychosocial and financial burdens of the caregivers, making postdischarge care challenging.

Establishment of age group classification for risk stratification in glioma patients

Background

Age is associated with the prognosis of glioma patients, but there is no uniform standard of age-group classification to evaluate the prognosis of glioma patients. In this study, we aimed to establish an age group classification for risk stratification in glioma patients.

Methods

1502 patients diagnosed with gliomas at Nanfang Hospital between 2000 and 2018 were enrolled. The WHO grade of glioma was used as a dependent variable to evaluate the effect of age on risk stratification. The evaluation model was established by logistic regression, and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) value of the model was used to determine the optimal cutoff points for age-classification. The differences in gender, WHO grade, pathological subtype, tumor cell differentiation, tumor size, tumor location, and molecular markers between different age groups were analyzed. The molecular markers included GFAP, EMA, MGMT, P53, NeuN, Oligo2, EGFR, VEGF, IDH1, Ki-67, PR, CD3, H3K27M, TS, and 1p/19q status.

Results

The proportion of men with glioma was higher than that of women with glioma (58.3% vs 41.7%). Analysis of age showed that appropriate classifications of age group were 0–14 years old (pediatric group), 15–47 years old (youth group), 48–63 years old (middle-aged group), and ≥ 64 years old (elderly group).The proportions of glioblastoma and large tumor size (4–6 cm) increased with age (p = 0.000, p = 0.018, respectively). Analysis of the pathological molecular markers across the four age groups showed that the proportion of patients with larger than 10% area of Ki-67 expression or positive PR expression increased with age (p = 0.000, p = 0.017, respectively).

Conclusions

Appropriate classifications of the age group for risk stratification are 0–14 years old (pediatric group), 15–47 years old (young group), 48–63 years old (middle age group) and ≥ 64 years old (elderly group). This age group classification is effective in evaluating the risk of glioblastoma in glioma patients.

Glioblastoma and bevacizumab in elderly patients: Monocentric study

PURPOSE

A retrospective monocentric comparison of progression-free survival, overall survival, clinical benefit and tolerability between elderly (age>70) and non-elderly (age ≤ 70) patients receiving bevacizumab for recurrent glioblastoma.

METHODS

We analyzed 47 patients with recurrent glioblastoma receiving bevacizumab (10 mg/kg every 14 days) between January 2011 and January 2014. Bevacizumab was introduced for all patients at recurrence after a first-line treatment by temozolomide.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients were classified as elderly and 28 patients as non-elderly. No statistically significant difference was detected in the groups in terms of progression-free survival (3.8 vs. 4.1 months, p > 0.05) and overall survival at relapse (5.5 vs. 6.5 months, p > 0.05). A significant (p = 0.01) improvement of Karnofsky Performance Status Scale was observed in non-elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the small number of patients in this retrospective study, the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma appear similar in elderly and non-elderly patients. However, clinical benefit seemed to be less evident in younger patients. A prospective multicentric study integrating geriatric assessment tools and quality of life metrics would be interesting in this patient population.

Management of glioblastomas in the elderly population

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. The incidence of malignant gliomas is growing in the elderly population. Unfortunately, increasing age is one of the most important negative prognostic factors for this tumor. For a long time, the treatment of elderly patients with GBM was controversial. Currently, more active strategies are the rule. Indeed, as in the younger population, prospective randomized studies have recently established the benefit of radiotherapy associated with concomitant and adjuvant chemotherapy by temozolomide in older patients suffering from malignant gliomas with good functional status. The application of chemotherapy alone may be especially useful in patients with poor functional status and O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promotor methylation. For the portion of the elderly population identified as frail, treatment decisions should be made in the context of a comprehensive geriatric evaluation while also taking into account quality of life and concomitant pathologies. The willingness of the patient and his or her caregivers will also be key to the therapeutic decision. Symptomatic treatments such as corticosteroids and antiepileptic drugs may be less tolerated in this population compared to younger patients and should be used only if requested. In the future, it will be necessary to continue to develop specific schedules of treatment in the frail population. For this reason, prospective randomized clinical trials are still needed to pursue improvements in the pattern of care of malignant glioma in elderly individuals.

Racial/ethnic differences in survival for patients with gliosarcoma: an analysis of the National cancer database

PURPOSE

Gliosarcoma is characterized by the World Health Organization as a Grade IV malignant neoplasm and a variant of glioblastoma. The association of race and ethnicity with survival has been established for numerous CNS malignancies, however, no epidemiological studies have reported these findings for patients with gliosarcoma. The aim of this study was to examine differences by race and ethnicity in overall survival, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, and 30-day readmission.

METHODS

Data were obtained by query of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for years 2004-2014. Patients with gliosarcoma were identified by International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, Third Edition (ICD-O-3)-Oncology morphologic code 9442/3 and topographical codes C71.0-C71.9. Differences in survival by race/ethnicity were examined using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Readmission and mortality outcomes were examined with univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 1988 patients diagnosed with gliosarcoma were identified (White Non-Hispanic n = 1,682, Black Non-Hispanic n = 165, Asian n = 40, Hispanic n = 101). There were no differences in overall survival, 30- and 90-day mortality, or 30-day readmission between the races and ethnicities examined. Median survival was 10.4 months for White Non-Hispanics (95% CI 9.8, 11.2), 10.2 months for Black Non-Hispanics (95% CI 8.6, 13.1), 9.0 months for Asian Non-Hispanics (95% CI 5.1, 18.2), and 10.6 months for Hispanics (95% CI 8.3,16.2). 7.3% of all patients examined had an unplanned readmission within 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Race/ethnicity are not associated with differences in overall survival, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, or 30-day readmission following surgical intervention for gliosarcoma.

The effects of clinical and sociodemographic factors on survival, resource use and lead times in patients with high-grade gliomas: a population-based register study

Background

Previous studies indicate an effect of sociodemographic factors on risk for being diagnosed with, as well as on survival of cancer in general. Our primary aim was to analyse sociodemographic factors, resource use and lead times in health care after diagnosis with high grade malignant glioma (HGG) in a large population based cohort.

Methods

A register-based study using several unique high-coverage registries. All patients over the age of 18 diagnosed with HGG in the Swedish Stockholm–Gotland region between 2001 and 2013 (n = 1149) were included.

Results

In multivariable cox proportional hazard model of survival, older age, male sex and high tumour grade were associated with worse survival. No significant differences could be seen related to country of birth. A high disposable income was associated with better survival and fewer occasions of pre-diagnostic inpatient care. Older age and comorbidities were correlated with a significantly increased number of outpatient visits the year before HGG diagnosis. In addition, male sex, being born outside Sweden was associated to a higher number of outpatient visits the year after diagnosis in multivariable analysis. Leadtime from diagnosis (first suspicion on brain scan) to surgery showed that the oldest patients, patients with comorbidity and patients born outside Europe had to wait longer for surgery.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic factors like education, income and country of birth have impact on care processes both before and after the diagnosis HGG. This needs to be acknowledged in addition to important clinical factors like age, comorbidity and tumour grade, in order to accomplish more equal cancer care.

Radiation combined with temozolomide contraindicated for young adults diagnosed with anaplastic glioma

Purpose

Age is a major prognostic factor for malignant gliomas. However, few studies have investigated the management of gliomas in young adults. We determined the role of survival and treatment in young adults with advanced gliomas in a large population from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA).

Methods

This study included 726 adults (age ≥ 18) with histologically proven anaplastic glioma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The overall and progression-free survival was determined in young (age < 50) and older groups (age ≥ 50).

Results

The study included an older group (OP) of 264 patients and a younger group (YP) of 462patients. In the OP group with GBM and anaplastic glioma, patients treated with RT combined with temozolomide (TMZ) manifested significantly longer OS and PFS compared with patients assigned to RT alone (P < 0.05). In contrast, the YP group diagnosed with anaplastic glioma failed to show any survival advantage with RT plus TMZ compared with RT alone.

Conclusions

We observed no survival benefit in young adults (age < 50) with anaplastic glioma when treated with TMZ combined with RT. Our findings warrant further investigation of younger patients diagnosed with anaplastic glioma treated with radiotherapy plus TMZ chemotherapy.

Patterns of care and outcomes for use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy over radiotherapy alone for anaplastic gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for anaplastic gliomas is undefined and patterns of care are under-reported. To address the knowledge gap, we examined use of CRT for grade III gliomas compared to radiotherapy (RT) alone.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In an observational study design cohort from the National Cancer Database, we identified 4437 adult patients receiving surgery followed by either CRT or RT for supratentorial anaplastic glioma in 2003-2011. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with use of CRT. Overall survival (OS) was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank tests, Cox proportional hazards regression modeling, and propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Receipt of CRT (vs. RT) was associated with recent year of diagnosis (OR for 2011 (vs. 2003) 3.36, 95% CI 2.49-4.54) and having astrocytoma (vs. oligodendroglioma) (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.15-1.63). Patients receiving CRT had a lower adjusted hazard of death (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.65-0.79). Outcomes were worse for patients ≥60 (HR 6.94, 95% CI 6.09-7.91) and astrocytomas (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.85-2.34).

CONCLUSION

Use of concurrent CRT is associated with more recent year of diagnosis and improved survival relative to RT alone.

Management of glioblastoma in elderly patients

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults over 55years of age. The median age of diagnosis for patients with GBM is 64years old, with the incidence of patients between 75 and 85 increasing. The optimal treatment paradigm for elderly GBM patients continues to evolve due to the higher frequency of age-related and/or medical co-morbidities. Geriatric GBM patients have historically been excluded from larger, controlled clinical trials due to their presumed decreased likelihood of a sustained treatment response and/or a prolonged good outcome. Here, we highlight current treatment considerations of elderly GBM patients with respect to surgical, radiotherapeutic and systemic modalities, with considerations for improving future clinical outcomes for this patient population.

Management of Glioblastoma Multiforme in Elderly Patients: A Review of the Literature

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, occurs most commonly in individuals older than 65 years of age, and is universally fatal. Increasing age compounds the poor prognosis of GBM, as elderly patients have markedly worse outcomes than younger patients. However, many of the studies previously investigating optimal treatment regimens exclude patients older than the age of 65 years and thus may not represent the best approaches to ensuring prolonged survival with preserved quality of life. This review aims to highlight the current literature on surgical and medical management, including our own experience, for GBM in the elderly patients, and to provide rational treatment approaches for a vulnerable, often-overlooked, patient population.

Pattern of care and outcome in elderly patients with glioblastoma: Data in 151 patients from 3 Lombardia Hospitals

The appropriate treatment approach for elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is unclear, although different studies suggest survival benefit in fit patients treated with radiotherapy and chemiotherapy after surgery. We performed a retrospective analysis of 151 patients older than 65years with GBM treated in 3 Lombardia Hospitals. In univariate regression analysis higher KPS (p=0.02), macroscopical total resection (p<0.003), radiotherapy (p<0.0001), chemotherapy (p<0.0001) and second line chemotheraphy (p=0.02) were of positive prognostic value. On the contrary older age (>70years), presence of seizure at onset and additional resection after tumor recurrence did not influence OS. Multivariate analysis revealed radiotherapy (HR 0.2 p<0.0001) and extent of surgery (HR 0.3, p=0,0063) as positive independent prognostic factors. Patients receiving radio-chemiotherapy displayed more treatment-related toxicities with a slightly prolonged OS versus those receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy. With the limits of a retrospective study, our data suggest that in elderly fit patients extensive surgery should be considered, moreover adjuvant treatments led to an increase in OS. Randomized controlled study are needed to develop treatment guidelines for elderly GBM patients and to assess whether the combination of post-surgical radio and chemiotherapy may be superior to hypofractionated radiotherapy and chemiotherapy in fit patients.

Short-Course Radiation plus Temozolomide in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma is associated with a poor prognosis in the elderly. Survival has been shown to increase among patients 70 years of age or younger when temozolomide chemotherapy is added to standard radiotherapy (60 Gy over a period of 6 weeks). In elderly patients, more convenient shorter courses of radiotherapy are commonly used, but the benefit of adding temozolomide to a shorter course of radiotherapy is unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a trial involving patients 65 years of age or older with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either radiotherapy alone (40 Gy in 15 fractions) or radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide.

RESULTS

A total of 562 patients underwent randomization, 281 to each group. The median age was 73 years (range, 65 to 90). The median overall survival was longer with radiotherapy plus temozolomide than with radiotherapy alone (9.3 months vs. 7.6 months; hazard ratio for death, 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 0.80; P<0.001), as was the median progression-free survival (5.3 months vs. 3.9 months; hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.60; P<0.001). Among 165 patients with methylated O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) status, the median overall survival was 13.5 months with radiotherapy plus temozolomide and 7.7 months with radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio for death, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.73; P<0.001). Among 189 patients with unmethylated MGMT status, the median overall survival was 10.0 months with radiotherapy plus temozolomide and 7.9 months with radiotherapy alone (hazard ratio for death, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.01; P=0.055; P=0.08 for interaction). Quality of life was similar in the two trial groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients with glioblastoma, the addition of temozolomide to short-course radiotherapy resulted in longer survival than short-course radiotherapy alone. (Funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00482677 .).

Revisiting the Relationship Between Ethnicity and Outcome in Glioblastoma Patients

Background: Relationships between various ethnicities and glioma subtype have recently been established. As a tertiary referral center for Latin America and the Caribbean, our institution treats a diverse glioblastoma (GBM) population. We sought to clarify the role of ethnicity on patient prognosis in GBM and also compared these findings to a group consisting of elderly patients. We included ‘elderly’ as a group because the subgroups for ethnicities within them were too small. It allowed us to put in scope the effects of ethnicities on the overall survival. 

Material and Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, 235 patients with GBM were retrospectively identified. A total of 140 patients were separated into four groups: White adults (n = 47), Hispanic adults (n = 27), elderly (n = 58), and Black adults (n = 6). Overall survival (OS) was our primary endpoint.

Results: Overall survival in the White adult group was 24.3 months, compared to 13.0 months in the Hispanic adult group, 20.2 months in the Black group, and 13.8 months in the elderly group (p = 0.01). In the Hispanic group, hypertension (37.9%, p = 0.01) and diabetes (24.1%, p = 0.009) were significantly more prevalent compared to the White adult cohort. No difference in insurance status or postoperative complications was found between subgroups.

Conclusion: Based on our analysis, Hispanic adults may have a decreased survival compared to White adults. However, the incidence of hypertension and diabetes was markedly higher in our Hispanic adult cohort; thus, estimating the risk of ethnicity and comorbidities on patient prognosis may be difficult. A prospective study correlating the genome and subgroup prognosis may help elucidate the role of ethnicity in GBM patients.

Age alone is not a predictor for survival in glioblastoma

Over half of glioblastoma (GBM) cases are diagnosed in patients older than 65 years. Their median overall survival (OS) is 4-5 months, compared with 12-14 months in patients younger than 70 years. This retrospective audit aims to identify patterns of care and survival of patients diagnosed with GBM at a single institution in Melbourne, Australia. Consecutive histological diagnoses of adult primary GBM from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively identified from medical records. Demographic, treatment and survival characteristics were recorded until death, with follow-up to January 1st 2015. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Planned, sub-group analyses were conducted using multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to identify differences between elderly and younger cohorts, as well as ECOG. 165 patients were identified (36 % aged ≥70 years). Those ≥70 years had a poorer performance status (ECOG 3-4: 27 vs 10 %, p = .005); poorer median OS (2.6 vs 11.5 months, p < .001); and were less likely to receive adjuvant treatment (no treatment: 40 vs 16 %, p < .001) compared with patients <70 years. Age was not a significant predictor of poorer os (HR 1.0; 0.99-1.03; p > .05), after adjusting for other clinical factors. Significant predictors of poorer os were poor performance status (p = .001), bilateral tumours (p = .04), biopsy only (p = .001), and no adjuvant treatment (p < .001). In patients diagnosed with GBM, those older than 70 years often present with poor performance status, are less likely to receive adjuvant treatment and have inferior os compared with younger patients. Treatment recommendations should be based on performance status/fitness, not age alone.

Socioeconomic status does not affect prognosis in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Background:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive malignancy, but there is marked heterogeneity in survival time. Health care disparities have demonstrated significance in oncologic outcomes but have not been clearly examined in this patient population. We investigated the role of sociodemographic variables in the prognosis of adult patients diagnosed with GBM.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis included patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of GBM, who underwent resection or biopsy at a single institution from 2000 to 2014. Socioeconomic status (SES) was determined by household income according to the US Census zip code tabulation areas and the US national poverty level. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis calculated effects on patient survival.

Results:

Thirty percent of 218 subjects were of low SES, 57% mid, and 13% high. Low SES patients tended to be male (62%), Caucasian (92%), unmarried (91%), have dependents (100%), and limited to high school education (55%). SES did not predict insurance or employment status. SES was associated with marital status and number of cohabitants (P < 0.0001) but not clinical trial enrollment. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no relationship between SES and survival. Shorter prognosis was associated with history of military service (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06, P = 0.0125), elderly patients (HR 1.70, P = 0.0158), and multifocal disease (HR 1.75, P = 0.0119). Longer prognosis was associated with gross total resection (HR 0.49, P = 0.0009), radiation therapy (HR 0.12, P < 0.0001), and temozolomide (HR 0.28, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

SES alone does not predict prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed GBM. Sociodemographic variables such as old age, military service record, and insurance type may have a prognostication role.

Glioblastoma in the elderly: the effect of aggressive and modern therapies on survival

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis of elderly patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is universally poor. Currently, few studies have examined postoperative outcomes and the effects of various modern therapies such as bevacizumab on survival in this patient population. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of various factors on overall survival in a cohort of elderly patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) with newly diagnosed GBM treated between 2004 and 2010. Various characteristics were evaluated in univariate and multivariate stepwise models to examine their effects on complication risk and overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 120 patients were included in the study. The median age was 71 years, and sex was distributed evenly. Patients had a median Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score of 80 and a median of 2 neurological symptoms on presentation. The majority (53.3%) of the patients did not have any comorbidities. Tumors most frequently (43.3%) involved the temporal lobe, followed by the parietal (35.8%), frontal (32.5%), and occipital (15.8%) regions. The majority (57.5%) of the tumors involved eloquent structures. The median tumor size was 4.3 cm. Every patient underwent resection, and 63.3% underwent gross-total resection (GTR). The vast majority (97.3%) of the patients received the postoperative standard of care consisting of radiotherapy with concurrent temozolomide. The majority (59.3%) of patients received additional agents, most commonly consisting of bevacizumab (38.9%). The median survival for all patients was 12.0 months; 26.7% of patients experienced long-term (≥ 2-year) survival. The extent of resection was seen to significantly affect overall survival; patients who underwent GTR had a median survival of 14.1 months, whereas those who underwent subtotal resection had a survival of 9.6 months (p = 0.038). Examination of chemotherapeutic effects revealed that the use of bevacizumab compared with no bevacizumab (20.1 vs 7.9 months, respectively; p < 0.0001) and irinotecan compared with no irinotecan (18.0 vs 9.7 months, respectively; p = 0.027) significantly improved survival. Multivariate stepwise analysis revealed that older age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.06 [95% CI1.02-1.10]; p = 0.0077), a higher KPS score (HR 0.97 [95% CI 0.95-0.99]; p = 0.0082), and the use of bevacizumab (HR 0.51 [95% CI 0.31-0.83]; p = 0.0067) to be significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that GTR confers a modest survival benefit on elderly patients with GBM, suggesting that safe maximal resection is warranted. In addition, bevacizumab significantly increased the overall survival of these elderly patients with GBM; older age and preoperative KPS score also were significant prognostic factors. Although elderly patients with GBM have a poor prognosis, they may experience enhanced survival after the administration of the standard of care and the use of additional chemotherapeutics such as bevacizumab.

Glioblastoma survival: has it improved? Evidence from population-based studies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in adults and carries a particularly poor prognosis. Since 2005, state-of-the-art therapy consists of maximal well tolerated surgical resection followed by combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide. Over the past decade, further advances have been achieved in various disciplines, most prominently including antiangiogenic treatment with bevacizumab. Still, whether these therapeutic innovations have translated to the general population remains unclear.

RECENT FINDINGS

Population-based outcome and pattern of care (POC) studies have recently documented the rapid dissemination of the treatment standard to community practice across countries. This has resulted in a modest but significant increase in survival at the population level. However, the increase was significantly less marked in elderly patients in whom undertreatment is a concern. Other serious concerns address diverging POC between academic versus nonacademic centers, patients with high-income versus low-income, and racial and marital status disparities. With regard to bevacizumab treatment, there is still insufficient evidence of a beneficial impact on population-based survival, so far.

SUMMARY

Despite the rapid incorporation of the current standard treatment in clinical practice and the thereby achieved modest survival gain at the population-level, prevailing POC needs to be reconsidered and standardized, especially for elderly glioblastoma patients who bear a large disease burden and carry the worst prognosis. Future POC studies are urgently needed and would benefit from the systematic inclusion of quality-of-life data and molecular tumor markers, so that this information could be captured in population-based cancer registries.

Management of high-grade gliomas in the elderly

The incidence of glioblastoma (GBM) has been increasing over the past several decades with majority of this increase occurring in patients older than 70 years. In spite of the growing body of evidence in this area, it is still unclear as to the optimal management of elderly patients with GBM. The elderly are a heterogeneous population with a range of comorbid conditions, and functional, cognitive, and physiological changes, and ideally treatment decisions should be made in the context of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Patients with a poor performance status or assessed as "frail" might be considered for less aggressive therapy such as hypofractionated radiotherapy or single-agent temozolomide, whereas those with a good functional status may still benefit from maximum resection followed by combined radiation and chemotherapy. Recent randomized trials suggest molecular markers such as O(6)-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase promoter methylation testing could help guide these decisions, particularly when considering monotherapy with temozolomide vs radiotherapy. Ongoing studies seek to clarify the role of concurrent treatment in this population. Clinical judgment and discussion with patients and families, weighing all the options, are necessary in each case. Ultimately, patients and the neuro-oncology community should be encouraged to participate in clinical trials focused specifically on caring for the elderly patient with GBM.

Treating glioblastoma in the elderly

The incidence of glioblastoma (GBM) is increasing among the elderly, who now account for up to half of all the adult cases of GBM. This trend has resulted in the recent development of clinical research specifically dedicated to this fragile population. Some studies have investigated surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, and ongoing research is currently addressing the use of combined radiochemotherapy in this population. Although older patients with GBM have a significantly worse life expectancy compared with their younger counterparts, etiologic treatments should not be withheld from these patients solely because of their age. On the contrary, results from prospective studies suggest that active care of these patients has a significant positive impact on survival without affecting quality of life or cognition. To optimize both symptomatic and etiologic treatment, neuro-oncology multidisciplinary teams must take into account performance and cognitive status, the resectability of the tumor, and associated comorbidities.

Diagnostic delay and survival in high-grade gliomas - evidence of the 'waiting time paradox'?

INTRODUCTION

We present a retrospective single-centre study to determine whether delays in diagnosis of high-grade glioma (HGG) impact on overall survival (OS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Consecutive patients diagnosed with HGG at a single neuroscience centre in 2011 were reviewed. Route of referral and time from initial presentation to diagnosis were analysed and correlated with OS.

RESULTS

118 patients were studied - 92 patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Diagnosis of GBM in patients presenting to emergency services was quicker than that through outpatients (8 days vs. 26 days, p < 0.0001), but these patients had significantly worse OS (181 days vs. 386 days p = 0.0075). This trend was observed for the whole cohort (Grade III and GBM), with OS 278 days in patients presenting to emergency services compared with 423 days for patients presenting via outpatients (p = 0.0034). Patients presenting to outpatients were younger (median age: 54 years) compared with patients presenting to emergency services (median age: 62.5 years) (p = 0.0106). There were no other differences between the two groups with respect to the nature of presenting symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Earlier diagnosis is paradoxically associated with a worse OS in GBM. An 'aggressive' phenotype with rapid symptomatic deterioration and hence emergency presentation is a poor prognostic factor not influenced by earlier diagnosis.

Glioblastoma in the elderly

There is no generally agreed upon standard of care treatment for elderly patients (age ≥70 years) with glioblastoma (GBM). Treatment options range from supportive care only, radiation therapy (RT) only (most often given in a shortened hypofractionated schedule), temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy only, and the combination RT + TMZ, followed by post-RT TMZ as is the current standard of care for younger good performance patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

Biopsy versus partial versus gross total resection in older patients with high-grade glioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Optimal extent of surgical resection (EOR) of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) remains uncertain in the elderly given the unclear benefits and potentially higher rates of mortality and morbidity associated with more extensive degrees of resection.

METHODS

We undertook a meta-analysis according to a predefined protocol and systematically searched literature databases for reports about HGG EOR. Elderly patients (≥60 y) undergoing biopsy, subtotal resection (STR), and gross total resection (GTR) were compared for the outcome measures of overall survival (OS), postoperative karnofsky performance status (KPS), progression-free survival (PFS), mortality, and morbidity. Treatment effects as pooled estimates, mean differences (MDs), or risk ratios (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using random effects modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 12 607 participants from 34 studies met eligibility criteria, including our current cohort of 211 patients. When comparing overall resection (of any extent) with biopsy, in favor of the resection group were OS (MD 3.88 mo, 95% CI: 2.14-5.62, P < .001), postoperative KPS (MD 10.4, 95% CI: 6.58-14.22, P < .001), PFS (MD 2.44 mo, 95% CI: 1.45-3.43, P < .001), mortality (RR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.61, P = .002), and morbidity (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.46-1.46, P = .514) . GTR was significantly superior to STR in terms of OS (MD 3.77 mo, 95% CI: 2.26-5.29, P < .001), postoperative KPS (MD 4.91, 95% CI: 0.91-8.92, P = .016), and PFS (MD 2.21 mo, 95% CI: 1.13-3.3, P < .001) with no difference in mortality (RR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.05-5.71, P = .600) or morbidity (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.18-1.49, P = .223).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest an upward improvement in survival time, functional recovery, and tumor recurrence rate associated with increasing extents of safe resection. These benefits did not result in higher rates of mortality or morbidity if considered in conjunction with known established safety measures when managing elderly patients harboring HGGs.

The clinico-oncologic outcomes of elderly patients with glioblastoma after surgical resection followed by concomitant chemo-radiotherapy

Background

There have been controversies in the treatment of elderly patients with glioblastoma. We introduce the outcome of the treatment of elderly patients with glioblastoma comparing with younger patients.

Methods

The author's hospital database was used to identify patients with histologically confirmed glioblastoma after surgery between January 2006 and December 2013. Forty-eight patients (control group) were under age 65 and 16 patients (elderly group) were aged 65 years or over at the time of surgery.

Results

The median age of the elderly group was 71 years and control group was 50 years. Mean number of medical comorbidities was 1.8 in the elderly group vs. 0.5 in the control group. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 19.9 months in all patients. The elderly group had a median PFS of 4.2 months vs. 8 months for the control group (log-rank test, p=0.762). Median OS was 8.2 months in the elderly group vs. 20.9 months in the control group (log-rank test, p=0.457). Major complications occurred in 5 cases (7.8%) for all patients. The ratio of completion of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) was 81.3% and was the same between the two groups. In multivariable analysis, extent of resection (p=0.034) and completion of CCRT (p=0.023) were statistically significant, independent prognostic factors only for PFS in all patients by Cox proportional hazards model. Age was not an independent prognostic factor. As for OS, there was no significant factor.

Conclusion

Surgical resection and CCRT were well tolerated in elderly patients with glioblastoma, and maximal safe resection followed by timely CCRT could improve clinic-oncologic outcomes.