Survival of newly diagnosed malignant glioma patients on combined modality therapy

Objective To explore the survival of newly diagnosed maligant gliomas patients on combined modality therapy of surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods The data of 122 newly diagnosed maligant glioma patients on combined modality therapy at our center between 2000 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.The median age was 40 years old(range:5-75)and median Karnofsky performance status score(KPS)80(range:60-100).Combined modality therapy consisted of surgery(maximal safety tumor resection),followed by fractionated focal irradiation for a total dose of 54-60 Gy and then 4-6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy including temozolomide or nitrosourea-based regimens or other ones without temozolomide and nitrosourea.The overall and progression-free survivals were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the influencing factors screened by Cox proportional hazard model. Results There were gradeⅣ (n=70)and gradeⅢ (n=52).The median survival periods were 17.0 months for gradeⅣpatients and 36.0 months for gradeⅢones.The 2,3,4 and 5-year survival rates were 32.0% vs 64.8%,19.6% vs 47.8%,11.8% vs 32.0% and 5.9% vs 25.4%(P<0.01)for gradesⅣandⅢpatients respectively.The median progression-free survivals were 9.0 vs 12.0 months and 1,2 and 3-year progression-free survival rates 30.8% vs 50.0%,12.3% vs 31.4% and 9.2% vs 17.7%(P<0.01)respectively.Multivariate analysis revealed that histologic type was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion Combined modality therapy of surgery,adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy may improve the survival of patients with malignant gliomas. Key words: Glioma; Combinedmodalitytherapy; Survival