Background: Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas (PXA) are circumscribed gliomas that typically have a favorable prognosis. Limited studies have revealed factors affecting survival outcomes in PXA. Here, we analyzed the largest PXA dataset in the literature and identify factors associated with outcomes.
Methods: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 Registries database, we identified histologically confirmed PXA patients between 1994 and 2016. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.
Results: In total, 470 patients were diagnosed with PXA (males = 53%; median age = 23 years [14-39 years]), the majority were Caucasian (n = 367; 78%). The estimated mean OS was 193 months [95% CI: 179-206]. Multivariate analysis revealed that greater age at diagnosis (≥39 years) (3.78 [2.16-6.59], P < .0001), larger tumor size (≥30 mm) (1.97 [1.05-3.71], P = .034), and postoperative radiotherapy (RT) (2.20 [1.31-3.69], P = .003) were independent predictors of poor OS. Pediatric PXA patients had improved survival outcomes compared to their adult counterparts, in which chemotherapy (CT) was associated with worse OS. Meanwhile, in adults, females and patients with temporal lobe tumors had an improved survival; conversely, tumor size ≥30 mm and postoperative RT were associated with poor OS.
Conclusions: In PXA, older age and larger tumor size at diagnosis are risk factors for poor OS, while pediatric patients have remarkably improved survival. Postoperative RT and CT appear to be ineffective treatment strategies while achieving GTR confer an improved survival in male patients and remains the cornerstone of treatment. These findings can help optimize PXA treatment while minimizing side effects. However, further studies of PXAs with molecular characterization are needed.
Keywords: PXA; SEER; gender; pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma; survival.
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.