Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Co-culturing Glutamatergic Neurons and Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Cells
High-grade Glioma - A decade of care in Christchurch
Shan Shan Yan1, Melissa L James1, Peter Kerstens2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Insights
High-grade glioma (HGG) survival in Christchurch is comparable to international standards, with gross tumor resection and chemoradiation improving outcomes for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Further research is needed for better HGG treatment paradigms.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Outcomes Research
- Cancer Epidemiology
Background:
- High-grade glioma (HGG) presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of HGG.
- Understanding local treatment outcomes is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HGG patient outcomes in Christchurch.
- To compare GBM survival rates with international benchmarks.
- To identify prognostic factors and assess allied health involvement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 363 HGG patients over 10 years.
- Kaplan-Meier survival estimation.
- Multivariate analysis for prognostic factors.
Main Results:
- Five-year overall survival for HGG was 6.1%.
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients with gross tumor resection and chemoradiation showed improved survival.
- Increasing age was a negative prognostic factor; wait times for radiation did not impact survival.
Conclusions:
- Christchurch HGG survival outcomes align with international data.
- Molecular-guided treatments and tailored paradigms for elderly/frail patients are needed.
- Enhanced psychological support may benefit HGG patients.
Introduction:
High-grade glioma (HGG) is a devastating illness. Our study aimed to investigate outcomes for patients with HGG treated in Christchurch focussing particularly on those diagnosed with glioblastoma mulitforme (GBM); compare GBM survival with international standards; examine factors associated with better prognosis; and assess the involvement of various allied health disciplines.
Methods:
A 10-year retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed and treated for HGG at Christchurch Hospital. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival. Predefined multivariate analysis was performed to investigate potential prognostic and predictive factors.
Results:
A total of 363 patients were diagnosed with HGG at a median age of 64 years with a 5-year overall survival of 6.1%. Patients with grade IV tumours had a poorer outcome than grade III patients (P = 0.0002, log-rank test). Eighty-two per cent of patients had a surgical resection or biopsy of the tumour. For those patients with GBM, gross tumour resection followed by radical chemoradiation was associated with better survival compared with needle biopsy (HR = 1.93, P = 0.018); increasing age was negatively associated with survival (HR = 1.02 per additional age year, P = 0.037); however, waiting time between neurosurgery and radiation did not affect survival. Six per cent of patients received formal psychological input.
Conclusion:
Our survival outcomes were comparable with internationally published series. More research is required to improve survival in HGG, including molecular guided treatment, and better define treatment paradigms, such as for the elderly and frail.
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