GLIOBLASTOMA IN PATIENTS OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE

Authors

  • Uroš Smrdel

Abstract

Introduction: Glioblastoma has in last 20 years seen the steady increase of incidence, which is most prominent in the group of older patients. These older than 70 years have significantly poorer prognosis than other patients and are considered a distinct group of glioblastoma patients. Modified prognostic factors are being used in these patients and this information is lately supplemented with the genetic and epigenetic information on tumour. The therapy is now often tailored accordingly. Patients and methods: Among patients treated at the Institute of oncology Ljubljana between 1997 and 2015, 207 were older than 70 years. We analysed their survival in the light of clinical prognostic factors and treatment modalities. Results: Median survival of patients older than 70 years is with 5.3 months inferior to the survival of younger patients. Patients that had more aggressive surgery, were fitter and received temozolomide fared the best. The scheduling of the temozolomide seems to have limited impact on survival. Discussion: The increase of the number of older patients with glioblastoma corresponds to the increase in the life expectancy but in Slovenia also to the increased availability of diagnostic procedures. Clinical prognostic markers are helpful in decision on the aggressiveness of treatment. Radiotherapy and temozolomide have the biggest impact on survival, but the radiotherapy dose seems to be of secondary importance. In selected patients, chemotherapy alone might be sufficient to achieve an optimal effect. Conclusion: Post-operative therapy needs to be tailored according to the clinical and genetic and molecular prognostic factors.

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Published

2018-05-23

How to Cite

Smrdel, U. (2018). GLIOBLASTOMA IN PATIENTS OVER 70 YEARS OF AGE. Radiology and Oncology, 52(2). Retrieved from https://radioloncol.com/index.php/ro/article/view/2959

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Section

Clinical oncology