HYPOFRACTIONATED RADIATION-THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH GLIOBLASTOMA-MULTIFORME - RESULTS OF TREATMENT AND IMPACT OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS

Purpose: Median survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GEM ) is only about 4 months with surgery and about 9 months for surgery f ollowed by radiotherapy. Prolonged treatment is futile for many patien ts and the time of treatment, and hospitalization should be minimized. Methods and Materials: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study of 30 patients treated with a hypofractionated radiation scheme (42 Gy i n 14 fractions). Results: Median survival was 36 weeks, Age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and extent of surgery were strongly interrel ated and all correlated with survival (p < 0.05). Three prognostic gro ups were identified, Patients with three favorable prognostic factors (age < 50, KPS 80-100, and greater than or equal to 75% of the tumor r emoved) had the best prognosis (median survival 50 weeks), Patients wi th no favorable prognostic factors (age greater than or equal to 50,KP S less than or equal to 70, and < 75% of the tumor removed) had the wo rst prognosis (median survival 25 weeks), Median survival of the inter mediate group (with one or two favorable prognostic factors) was 38 we eks. No severe acute or late toxicity was observed. Conclusion: The tr eatment results are comparable to those achieved with conventional rad iotherapy schemes, Based on the number of favorable prognostic factors (age < 50, KPS 80-100, and greater than or equal to 75% of tumor rese cted) the radiation schedule should be selected.