Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
High-dose radiotherapy to 78 Gy with or without temozolomide for high grade gliomas
John M Watkins1, David T Marshall, Sunil Patel
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Objectives:
To describe outcomes associated with high-dose radiotherapy with and without temozolomide for high grade central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review of 60 patients diagnosed with malignant glioma treated with > or =70 Gy radiotherapy.
Results:
Median age at diagnosis was 52 years, and 52 patients had astrocytomas (38 glioblastomas). Median prescribed radiotherapy dose was 78 Gy (range 70-80), and 29 patients received concurrent temozolomide. Eighty-six percent completed the planned course treatment. Three patients experienced RTOG grade 3 acute CNS toxicity; late brain necrosis was suspected in four patients. Overall median survival was 13 months (range 2-83). Within glioblastoma patients, temozolomide provided a statistically significant survival improvement over no chemotherapy (median survival 12.7 vs. 7.5 months; P = 0.0058).
Conclusions:
High dose conformal radiotherapy to > or =70 Gy with chemotherapy for high-grade CNS neoplasms appears safe but survival remains suboptimal. Within glioblastoma patients, temozolomide provided statistically significant survival improvement over no chemotherapy.
