Optimizing radiotherapy schedules for elderly glioblastoma multiforme patients

Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Despite recent advances, the overall prognosis remains poor with median survivals of approximately 1 year and 5-year survivals of less than 5%. Efforts at risk stratification have identified age and performance status as the most important prognostic features. It is well established that patients treated with postoperative radiation therapy have improved survival and functional capacity compared with unirradiated patients. Recent evidence suggests that the benefit of postoperative radiation persists even within the cohort aged 70 years or over. Some investigators have questioned whether the standard treatment schedule of 60 Gy delivered over a 6-week period is necessary for older patients with limited functional status. Alternative treatment schedules have been devised to reduce the inconvenience and morbidity of standard therapy. This review aims to evaluate the current state of knowledge on alternative radiotherapy schedules for elderly and poor-prognosis patients with glioblastoma.