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Erschienen in:
01.06.2013 | Original article
Short-course radiotherapy in elderly patients with glioblastoma: feasibility and efficacy of results from a single centre
Erschienen in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Ausgabe 6/2013
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Background
The incidence of glioblastoma (GBM) in the elderly population is currently increasing, with a peak seen between 65 and 84 years. The optimal treatment in terms of both efficacy and quality of life still remains a relevant and debated issue today.
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of short-course hypofractionated accelerated radiotherapy (HART) in GBM patients aged over 70 years and with a good Karnofsky performance score (KPS).
Methods
A review of medical records at the “Istituto Neurologico C. Besta” was undertaken; patients aged ≥ 70 years who had undergone adjuvant HART for GBM between January 2000 and January 2004 were included in the study. HART was administered to a total dose of 45 Gy, 2.5 Gy/fraction, in three daily fractions for three consecutive days/cycle fractions each, delivered in two cycles (split 15 days).
Results
A total of 33 patients were evaluable for the current analysis. Median follow-up was 10 months. According to CTCAE (version 3.0) criteria, none of the patients developed radiation-induced neurological status deterioration or necrosis. KPS evaluation after HART was found to be stable in 73 % of patients, improved in 24 %, and worse in 3 %.
The median overall survival time of the entire study population was 8 months (range 2–24).
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that a hypofractionated accelerated schedule can be a safe and effective option in the treatment of GBM in the elderly.