Survival rates of malignant gliomas in Burgundy from 1990 to 1995

The aim of this study was to provide current data on case-fatality rates of malignant gliomas in the area of Burgundy (1,300,000 inhabitants). The asc ertainment was specific according to imaging and histologic criteria, and w as exhaustive because of the existence of a single University Hospital allo wing both imaging and histologic diagnosis from stereotaxic cerebral biopsy . During six full years we collected 161 cases of malignant gliomas grades II to IV, 93 men (57.76%) and 68 women (42.23%). The mean age was 61 years. In all the age groups, there were a male predominance. Headache, epilepsy and motor deficit were the most frequent symptoms at onset. In most cases, the gliomas were localized within the frontal area. The post-surgical Karno fsky score was up to 70 in 40% of the cases. There were 89 glioblastomas wi th grade IV, 37 anaplastic astrocytomas, 13 gliomatous tumors with grade II and IV and six anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. This grading explains the ve ry low survival rates, with a negative effect induced by age. Among the mos t relevant contributions of this study to the clinical features of malignan t gliomas is an analysis of case-fatality rates, evaluation of health care services and therapeutic trials.