Initial cognitive impairment predicts shorter survival of patients with glioblastoma

Seizures as presenting symptom of glioblastoma (GBM) are known to predict prolonged survival, whereas the clinical impact of other initial symptoms is less known. Our main objective was to evaluate the influence of different presenting symptoms on survival in a clinical setting. We also assessed lead times, tumour size and localization.

Medical records of 189 GBM patients were reviewed regarding the first medical appointment, presenting symptom/s, date of diagnostic radiology and survival. Tumour size, localization and treatment data were retrieved. Overall survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier and Mann-Whitney U test. Cox regression was used for risk estimation.

Cognitive impairment as the initial symptom was often misinterpreted in primary health care leading to a delayed diagnosis. Initial global symptoms (66% of all patients) were associated with reduced survival compared to no global symptoms (median 8.4 months vs. 12.6 months). Those with the most common cognitive dysfunctions: change of behaviour, memory impairment and/or disorientation had a reduced median survival to 6.4 months. In contrast, seizures (32%) were associated with longer survival (median 11.2 months vs. 8.3 months). Global symptoms were associated with larger tumours than seizures, but tumour size had no linear association with survival. The setting of the first medical appointment was evenly distributed between primary health care and emergency units.

Patients with GBM presenting with cognitive symptoms are challenging to identify, have larger tumours and reduced survival. In contrast, epileptic seizures as the first symptom are associated with longer survival and smaller tumours.