Profile of High Grade Gliomas - A Single Center Experience

The term high grade glioma (HGG), is usually used to describe WHO grade III and IV tumours. There has been a recent increase in incidence of HGGs in the Western world, particularly in the elderly population. This probably reflects the easy availability of vastly improved diagnostic imaging. A five year retroprospective study was planned to study demography, clinical presentation, imaging, surgical intervention, histopathological examination of specimens and postoperative outcome of patients of high grade gliomas.

To determine the demographic, clinical, histopathogical and radiological profile of patients of High Grade Gliomas (HGG) and to ascertain post-operative mortality at 24 hours and 7 days Material and Methods: The present study of 226 cases from our institute for the last 5 years (retrospective 3 years and prospective 2 years) extending from August 2010 to July 2015 is based on study about demography, clinical presentation, imaging, surgical intervention, histopathological examination of specimens and postoperative outcome. The clinic-pathological vis-a-vis imaging was also studied. The analyzed data from the results and observations of this study were compared with the previous studies.

The study was retrospective as well as prospective. Total of 226 patients were registered. Out of these, 225 patients were operated (except one patient). The provisional diagnosis was based on the radio-imaging basis and the final diagnosis confirmed by histopathological examination. Majority of patients operated for HGG, irrespective of the procedure or extent of resection had good surgical outcome after the procedure.

The overall survival is multifactorial in HGGs. The surgical intervention particularly in patients with features of raised ICP due to mass lesion provides symptomatic relief and improves quality of life in majority of patients and are discharged reasonably in better state of health.