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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 July 2018
Few studies investigated the associations between intervention modalities, timing, and survival in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. A total of 20511 eligible GBM patients underwent biopsy and craniotomy surgeries followed by adjuvant treatments (2005-2014) were derived from the National Cancer Database (NCDB). The time intervals (days) from the date of diagnosis to the initiation date of adjuvant treatment [radiation therapy only (RT), chemotherapy only, concurrent chemoradiation (CRT), or non-concurrent RT and chemotherapy] were categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4). Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression were applied for survival analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to compare differences in treatment timing, intervention modalities, and secondary outcomes. The patients underwent biopsy obtained significant survival benefit by having delayed adjuvant treatment [comparing to Q1, Q2: HR (hazard ratio), 0.88, Q3: HR, 0.86]. For patients underwent resection, the prolonged waiting time of adjuvant treatment had 5-6% reduced risk of death [comparing to Q1, Q2: HR, 0.95; Q3: HR, 0.94]. Patients received more RT fractions [comparing to 10-29 fractions, 30-33 fractions: HR: 0.62 (biopsy), 0.62 (resection); ≥34 fractions: HR: 0.53 (biopsy), 0.62 (resection)] and high-dose RT [comparing to 34-46 Gy, 50-60 Gy: HR: 0.91 (biopsy), 0.95 (resection); ≥ 60 Gy: HR: 0.77 (biopsy), 0.88 (resection)] experienced significantly superior survival in both biopsy and resection groups. The impact of timing to adjuvant treatment on GBM survival varied by surgery procedures. Having adjuvant treatment initiated within 21 days for both biopsy and craniotomy groups may not guarantee a significant survival benefit. More RT fractions and high-dose RT are associated with better GBM survival.