Introduction
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults. Among all gliomas, it is the most aggressive type, with a high fatality rate, and according to the WHO classification, it is a grade IV tumour. As this tumour is well-known for its poor survival, an understanding of clinical and treatment-related prognostic factors can help in tailored treatment. The aim of this study was to know the impact of prognostic factors on survival in these cases.
Materials and methods
All glioblastoma patients treated in our hospital during 2010–2015 were included in the analysis. Cases were divided into different groups based on prognostic factors. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated and compared among the different groups. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software v20.
Results
One-year OS was 36.9% and 2-year OS was 10.8%. One-year DFS was 13.04%. On univariate analysis, age at presentation ≤45 years and adjuvant chemotherapy with six cycles or more temozolomide improved OS and DFS. Multivariate analysis retained the statistically significant positive impact of usage of adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy of ≥six cycles on OS and DFS. The use of the anti-epileptic drug Levetiracetam had a statistically significant improvement of DFS.
Conclusion
Among various clinical and treatment-related prognostic factors evaluated in our study, younger age at presentation and addition of temozolomide chemotherapy to radiation showed improvement in OS and DFS. The use of the anti-epileptic drug Levetiracetam had an impact on DFS in glioblastoma patients.
9055 Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a single fraction versus two multifractionated regimens in the palliation of painful bone metastases. Methods: Patients with painful bone metastases were randomized into three groups. Group I received a dose of 8 Gy in a single fraction, Group II received 20 Gy in five fractions and Group III patients received 30 Gy in 10 fractions. Pain score, ECOG performance status and analgesic requirement were recorded at baseline and at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks following treatment. Pain score was recorded on a 5-point verbal rating scale from 0 (no pain) to 4 (extremely severe pain). Overall response was defined as decrease in pain score by at least one point. Complete response was defined as achieving a pain score of zero at any point during follow-up. Duration of overall response was defined as the time from initial response till return of pain to its baseline value. Results: 45 patients were included with 15 in each group. Median age was 55 years (range 29-78 years). 17(37.7%) had metastasis in pelvic bones; 17(37.7%) in the spine while the remainder in the appendicular bones. Overall response rates in Groups I, II and III at week 1 were 60%, 53.3% and 60% respectively (p=0.71). At 1 month, overall response rates were 71.4%, 73.3% and 73.3% (p=0.84) and at 3 months; 78.5%, 80% and 80% respectively (p=0.86). The rate of complete response in all the three groups was 20%. Improvement in performance status in Groups I, II and III was seen in 60%, 66% and 80% respectively (p=0.69). Analgesic usage decreased in 86%, 87% and 80% patients in groups I, II and III respectively (p=0.66). Out of the nine complete responders, two sustained the response for less than four weeks, four patients up to eight weeks and remaining three till the end of follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in between the three arms among all the variables compared. Conclusions: All three groups showed equal efficacy in pain palliation, analgesic requirement, improvement in performance status and duration of response. In patients with very advanced disease and short life expectancy, where the treatment goal is to decrease pain, 8 Gy in single fraction is a convenient and cost effective schedule.
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