Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Translational Orthotopic Models of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Published on: February 17, 2023
Primary glioblastoma multiforme in younger patients: a single-institution experience
Cüneyt Ulutin1, Merdan Fayda, Gorkem Aksu
1Department of Radiation Oncology, GATA Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. culutin@yahoo.com
Insights
Younger patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) experience significantly longer survival, with a median of 19.5 months compared to older patients. Better performance status in younger individuals is a key factor contributing to this improved prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical outcomes research
- Cancer prognostics
Background:
- Primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare diagnosis in young patients.
- Understanding the unique characteristics and prognosis of young GBM patients is crucial for tailored treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes of young patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme.
- To compare the survival rates and prognostic indicators between younger and older GBM patient cohorts.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 70 primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients treated between 1996 and 2004.
- Patients were categorized into two age groups: < or = 35 years (n=21) and > 35 years (n=49).
- Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression, assessing factors like age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Younger patients (< or = 35 years) demonstrated a significantly longer median survival of 19.5 months compared to 5.7 months in older patients (P = 0.0012).
- Univariate analysis identified younger age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) >= 70, and radiotherapy dose of 60 Gy as significant prognostic factors.
- Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a worse performance status (KPS < 70) was the sole independent predictor of survival.
Conclusions:
- Younger patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) exhibit a relatively favorable prognosis with a median survival of 19.5 months and a 2-year survival rate of 30%.
- The superior outcomes in younger GBM patients are primarily attributed to their better performance status at diagnosis.
Aims And Background:
To report our experience of patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme of young age by evaluating the characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes.
Patients And Methods:
Seventy patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated at our department between 1996 and 2004 were studied. The male-female ratio was 2.6:1. The median age was 53 (16-74). Sixty-eight patients (97%) were operated on before radiotherapy and 2 patients (3%) underwent only stereotactic biopsy. All patients received radiotherapy. Postoperative chemotherapy as an adjuvant to radiotherapy was given to 9 patients (12%). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their age (group A < or = 35 years, n = 21 vs group B > 35 years, n = 49). Survival was determined with the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors. Karnofsky performance status (> or = 70 vs < 70), age (< or = 35 vs > 35 years), gender, tumor size (< or = 4 vs > 4 cm), number of involved brain lobes (1 vs more than 1), type of surgery (total vs subtotal), preoperative seizure history (present vs absent), radiotherapy field (total cranium vs partial), total radiotherapy dose (60 vs 66 Gy), and adjuvant chemotherapy (present vs absent) were evaluated in univariate analysis.
Results:
The median survival was 10.3 months in the whole group, 19.5 months in the younger age group and 5.7 months in the older age group. During follow-up re-craniotomy was performed in 2 patients (3%), and 1 patient (1%) developed spinal seeding metastases and was given spinal radiotherapy. In univariate analysis younger age vs older age: median 19.5 months vs 5.27 months (P = 0.0012); Karnofsky performance status > or = 70 vs < 70: median 15.3 months vs 2.67 months (P < 0.0001), and external radiotherapy dose 60 Gy vs 66 Gy: median 11.6 months vs 3 months (P = 0.02) were found as significant prognostic factors for survival. In regression analysis a worse performance status (KPS <70) was found to be the only independent factor for survival (P = 0.014, 95% CI HR = 0.0043 [0.0001-0.15]).
Conclusions:
Younger patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme had a relatively long survival (median, 19.5 months, with a 2-year survival rate of 30%) compared to older patients. This was due particularly to their better performance status.
