Low-grade gangliogliomas in adults: A population-based study

Low-grade gangliogliomas (GGs) are rare tumors of the central nervous system in adults. This study aims to define their characteristics, prognostic factors, and the impact of different treatment patterns on survival.

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to investigate the potential clinicopathological factors of low-grade GGs in adult patients (age ≥18 years). Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model were utilized to evaluate the associations between variables and overall survival (OS).

A total of 703 adult patients diagnosed with low-grade GGs were identified between 2004 and 2016, with a median follow-up period of 60.0 months. The median age at diagnosis was 32.0 years, with 50.1% of patients being male, 84.2% white people, and 40.2% of married status. The predominant tumor site was located in temporal lobe (38.8%). The median OS time for the whole cohort was not reached. The 5- and 10-year OS rates for patients underwent gross total resection (GTR) were 92.5% and 87.2%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed age, gender, tumor site, and treatment pattern were significant factors for OS. The employment of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy would significantly shorten OS time.

This is the largest retrospective study of adult low-grade GGs up to date. Younger age, female gender, temporal lobe location, and GTR indicated better survival. Adjuvant RT and/or chemotherapy should not be considered after whatever surgery in adult patients with low-grade GGs, unless the malignant transformation has been confirmed.