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01-04-2013 | Research Article

Impact of radiotherapy delay on survival in glioblastoma

Authors: Izaskun Valduvieco, Eugènia Verger, Jordi Bruna, Lluís Caral, Teresa Pujol, Teresa Ribalta, Teresa Boget, Laura Oleaga, Estela Pineda, Francesc Graus

Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology | Issue 4/2013

Abstract

Background

Previous studies in glioblastoma have concluded that there is no decrease in survival with increasing time to initiation of RT up to 6 weeks after surgery. Unfortunately, the number of glioblastoma patients who start RT beyond 6 weeks is not small in some countries. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of RT delay beyond 6 weeks on survival of patients who have undergone completed resection of a glioblastoma.

Methods

We reviewed 107 consecutive glioblastoma patients who had a complete surgical resection at our hospital. Clinical data, including delay in initiation of RT, were prospectively collected. The impact of single parameters on overall survival was determined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

According to univariate analysis, variables that had a prognostic influence on survival were age (p = 0.036), KPS (p = 0.031), additional treatment with CHT (p < 0.0001), and initiation of RT before 42 days (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis indicated that Karnofsky performance scale, additional treatment with chemotherapy, and initiation of RT before 6 weeks after surgery were favorable, independent prognostic factors of survival.

Conclusions

Survival is significantly reduced in glioblastoma patients if RT is not initiated within the 6 weeks after complete resection of the tumor.

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Title: Impact of radiotherapy delay on survival in glioblastoma
Authors: Izaskun Valduvieco
Eugènia Verger
Jordi Bruna
Lluís Caral
Teresa Pujol
Teresa Ribalta
Teresa Boget
Laura Oleaga
Estela Pineda
Francesc Graus
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: Clinical and Translational Oncology / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1699-048X
Electronic ISSN: 1699-3055
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-012-0916-x

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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