Elderly patients aged 65–75 years with glioblastoma multiforme may benefit from long course radiation therapy with temozolomide

To determine the outcome of elderly patients with glioblastoma managed with hypofractionated [40 Gray (Gy)] or long-course (60 Gy) radiation therapy (RT). Patients aged >60 years diagnosed with WHO grade IV glioma managed with RT between October 2006 and July 2012 were retrospectively identified. Baseline data including ECOG performance status, RT dose and use of temozolomide (TMZ) were recorded. Overall survival was calculated in months from date of diagnosis. 109 patients were included with age distribution from 61 to 88 years (13 % <65, 63 % 65–75, and 24 % >75). Median survival (MS) of total group was 12 months (95 % CI 11–13) with 12 % surviving beyond 2 years. For age groups <65, 65–75, >75 the survival was 17, 12, and 9 months respectively (p = 0.001). Near total resection (p = 0.027), but not ECOG 0–1 (p = 0.34) was associated with improved MS. For the 69 patients aged 65–75, 55 % were managed with 40 Gy and 45 % 60 Gy. Longer survival was associated with the use of 60 Gy (15 vs. 9 months, p < 0.0001), and use of TMZ (13 vs. 7 months, p < 0.0001). In the 48 patients (70 %) managed with TMZ, the MS was 15 months with 60 Gy (95 % CI 13–17) compared with 11 months (95 % CI 9–13) in those with 40 Gy. Performance status with ECOG 0–1 was not associated with improved survival (p = 0.25). Within the limitations of a retrospective study, we demonstrate improved MS in the elderly population when TMZ is added to RT. Those in the age group 65–75 may benefit from long-course RT with TMZ.