THERAPY OF GLIOBLASTOMA-MULTIFORME - A CUMULATIVE EXPERIENCE OF 10 YEARS

Purpose: Comparison of the effect of different therapeutic modalities on survival time of patients with glioblastoma multiforme operated on during the last decade (1980-1990). Patients and methods. The records of 157 consecutive patients with the histological diagnosis of gliobla stoma multiforme were analysed for survival with respect to age of pat ients, extent of surgery, influence of re-operation and adjuvant posto perative treatment. The latter included fractionated radiotherapy, che motherapy (BCNU, CCNU with Vincristine) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) . Results: Analysis of variance showed a significant effect for surviv al after macroscopically radical surgery (p = 0.005), postoperative ra diotherapy (p < 0.001), chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Low age (p < 0.05) an d a postoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) greater than or eq ual to 60 (p < 0.001) had a positive influence; the site of tumour and pre-operative presence of seizures had no significant influence (p > 0.1) on survival rime. Conclusion. We conclude that the current adequa te management of glioblastoma multiforme should include surgical resec tion followed by adjuvant treatment such as radiotherapy and chemother apy.