Abstract
Introduction: High-dose with external beam radiotherapy has been shown to enhance the radiation effect in anaplastic gliomas. The aim of this trial is to report on the efficacy of 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) for patients with intracranial malignant gliomas.
Methods: A retrospective-prospective and descriptive study was made from 45 patients with supratentorial high-grade gliomas, Karnofsky performance scale ? 70, no previous chemotherapy/ immunotherapy treatment, who received postoperative 2D standard or 3D-CRT at the Oncology Institute of Cuba from 2004-2007.
Results: The median age of patients was 55 years, gender (M/F:27/18). Glioblastoma histology, subtotal resection, and postoperative radiotherapy (60-70Gy) were the most frequently. The survival time was much better in patients who were better prognosis, gross total resection and high-dose 3D-CRT postoperatively .The overall survival was 13 months and the estimated median survival (Kaplan-Meier) was better in high-dose group (16 vs 9 months), and the 1 and 2 years survival rates were 51 % & 28 %, respectively for 3D-CRT group; and 28 % & 16 % for 2D-RT. No significant treatment toxicities were observed.
Conclusions: Intensification of local radiotherapy with dose escalation is feasible for patients with high-grade gliomas and good prognostic factors.