Outcomes after second surgery for recurrent glioblastoma: a retrospective case-control study

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Recurrent glioblastoma treatment is challenging.
• Previous studies on second surgery for glioblastoma recurrence lacked control for key patient factors.
• A need exists to clarify the survival benefit of repeat surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of second surgery on survival in recurrent glioblastoma.
• To analyze functional outcomes following repeat resection for glioblastoma.
• To control for confounding variables like initial resection extent and patient age.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case-controlled study of 120 glioblastoma patients with recurrence.
• Patients undergoing second surgery were matched with non-surgically treated patients.
• Matched criteria included initial resection extent and patient age.
• Overall survival (OS1 and OS2) and functional status were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Second surgery was associated with improved overall survival from recurrence (OS2: 9.6 vs 4.7 months).
• Chemotherapy at recurrence also significantly improved survival (HR 0.47).
• Post-surgery, 80% of patients avoided rehabilitation, and 61% remained independently mobile.

Conclusions:

• Second surgery offers a survival advantage for recurrent glioblastoma patients.
• Chemotherapy provides a survival benefit independent of surgical intervention.
• Functional outcomes after repeat surgery are encouraging, warranting further investigation.