Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity and clinical outcome of radio-chemotherapy with temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma aged more than 65 years.
Materials and methods: The analysis was performed in 20 male and 20 female patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 71.2 (range=65-81) years, with Karnofsky performance status greater than 70 without important comorbidities.
Results: Toxicities related to temozolomide and concomitant radiochemotherapy were similar to those reported for younger patients. The median time to progression and median overall survival of the entire cohort, from the date of diagnosis, were 10.6 (range=6.7-14.4) months and 19.3 (range=17.8-20.7) months, respectively. No significant results for overall survival analysis were found for age at diagnosis and cardiovascular risk factors, as covariates, with hazard ratios of 1.00 (95% confidence interval=0.92-1.10) and 0.9 (95% confidence interval=0.43-1.88), respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the relative good toxicity profile and the efficacy of treatment, our experience supports the use of radiochemotherapy with temozolomide in older patients with glioblastoma.
Keywords: GBM; Glioblastoma; chemotherapy; elderly patients; geriatric assessment; radiotherapy.
Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.