The effect of extent of resection on time to tumor progression and survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme of the cerebral hemisphere.

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative and postoperative radiographic tumor volumes in 92 patients who underwent hemispheric glioblastoma multiforme operations (107) to determine the factors that affect time to tumor progression (TTP) and overall survival.

METHODS: Quantification of tumor volumes was based on a previously described method involving computerized image analysis of contrast enhancing tumor on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans.

RESULTS: Among the variables analyzed, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) (p < 0.05), chemotherapy (p < 0.05), percent of resection (POR) (p < 0.001), and volume of residual disease (VRD) (p < 0.001) had a significant effect on TTP. Factors that affected survival were age (p < 0.05), preoperative KPS (p = 0.05), postoperative KPS (p < 0.005), POR (p < 0.0005), and VRD (p < 0.0001). Greater resections did not compromise the quality of life, and patients without any residual disease had a better postoperative KPS than those patients who received less than total resections.

CONCLUSIONS: The extent of tumor removal and the amount of residual tumor volume, documented on postoperative imaging studies, are highly significant factors affecting the median time to tumor progression and median survival for patients with glioblastoma multiforme of the cerebral hemisphere.