High-grade thalamic gliomas: Microsurgical treatment and prognosis analysis

This retrospective study is aimed to investigate the efficacy of microsurgical treatment for high-grade thalamic gliomas, and to analyze the relevant prognosis. From May 2011 to Aug 2015, 49 patients with thalamic gliomas underwent microsurgical resection, and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy postoperatively. The postoperative symptoms and complications were documented, and the overall survival (OS) and the progression-free survival (PFS) data were collected. The prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Finally, there was no perioperative death. Twenty cases, 24 cases and 5 cases were achieved subtotal resection (>90%), partial resection (70-90%) and less than partial resection (<70%) respectively. All patients' pathological diagnosis was confirmed. The symptoms were improved in 32 cases, unchanged in 11 cases, and worsen in 6 cases. Postoperative complications were absent in 9 cases. The 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month OS were 71.4%, 38.9%, and 12.1% respectively; corresponding PFS were 66.6%, 27.1%, and 10.2% respectively. The median OS time and PFS time were 9.0 months (95% CI 6.9-11.1) and 9.0 months (95% CI 6.6-11.4) respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed extent of resection were independent prognostic factors for OS (p < .05), patients with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy had a significant prolonged OS (p < .001) and PFS (p < .001). The study shows that the short-term efficacy of microsurgery for high-grade thalamic gliomas is satisfactory. Microsurgery can effectively alleviate patients' symptoms and improve life quality. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy are helpful for prolonging the survival time.