Prognostic factors in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (clinical research)

Aim: To define the independent variables that affect the life spans of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the neurosurgery clinic of Erciyes University's Faculty of Medicine, lasting from February 2000 to September 2006. A total of 98 patients were diagnosed with GBM after tumor resections. Patients' demographic, neurological, radiological, surgical, and clinical features and adjunct therapies were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of the 98 patients, 36 (36.7%) were female and 62 (65.4%) were male. There were 15 patients (15.3%) still alive. The median survival time (MST) of the gross total resection and subtotal resection groups was 12 and 8 months, respectively. The group with postoperative Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) of >= 70 included 56 patients; their survival rate was 19.6% and their MST was 14 months (confidence interval [CI] 95%, 10-18). The postoperative KPS of <70 group included 42 patients; their MST was 4 months (CI 95%, 3-6) and their survival rate was 9.5%. After the radiotherapy, of the 73 patients who underwent chemotherapy, the survival rate was 19.2% and the MST was 14 months (CI 95%, 10-18). The group without chemotherapy had a MST of 2 months (CI 95%, 1-3) and a survival rate of 4%. In a univariate analysis, the MST of age groups I (<45), II (45-59), and III (>= 60) were 15 months (CI 95%, 7-23), 10 months (CI 95%, 7-13), and 5 months (CI 95%, 3-7), respectively. The preoperative and postoperative median tumor volume detected was 79 (14-668) and 6 (0-64) mm3, respectively. Conclusion: Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that prognostic factors are young age, postoperative KPS, chemotherapy, and postoperative tumor volume.