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Updated: Jan 2, 2026
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
Olfactory function as an independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma
Sied Kebir1, Elke Hattingen1, Michael Niessen1
1From the Division of Clinical Neurooncology (S.K., L.L., M.G.), Department of Neurology (C.K.), West German Cancer Center (S.K., L.R., B.S., M.G.), and Department of Neurosurgery (L.R.), University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen; Division of Clinical Neurooncology, Department of Neurology and Center of Integrated Oncology (S.K., M.N., N.S., U.H., M.G.), and Institute for Medical Biometry, Informatics, and Epidemiology (R.F.), University of Bonn Medical Center; Department of Neuroradiology (E.H.), Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt Am Main; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic (T.H.), TU Dresden; DKFZ-Division Translational Neurooncology at the West German Cancer Center (S.K., B.S., M.G.), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg; and German Cancer Consortium (S.K., B.S., M.G.), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, Germany.
Olfactory dysfunction is common in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients and is linked to poorer survival outcomes. This pilot study suggests olfaction may serve as an independent prognostic factor for glioblastoma.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited prognostic markers.
- Olfactory function assessment is not routinely used in neuro-oncology.
- Understanding factors influencing GBM patient survival is crucial for treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in patients with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
- To evaluate the potential of olfactory function as a prognostic indicator for GBM patient survival.
- To explore the relationship between tumor location and olfactory pathway involvement.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study involving 73 primary GBM patients and 49 age-matched controls.
- Olfactory testing was conducted at baseline and during follow-ups.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to assess tumor location and olfactory pathway involvement.
Main Results:
- Patients with GBM exhibited significantly higher rates of olfactory dysfunction compared to controls (p = 0.003).
- Olfactory dysfunction was associated with significantly worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (median OS 20.9 vs 40.6 months; median PFS 9 vs 19 months).
- Olfaction was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients without MRI-evident olfactory pathway involvement (HR 0.43 for OS, HR 0.51 for PFS).
Conclusions:
- Olfactory dysfunction is frequently observed in GBM patients.
- Olfactory dysfunction may serve as a prognostic indicator for poorer survival outcomes in GBM.
- Further validation in an independent cohort is necessary to confirm these findings.
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