Outcome of treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in elderly and/or frail patients

Optimal treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM) in elderly and/or frail patients remains virtually unexplored, the best supportive care (BSC) only is routinely administered due to the fatal prognosis. We evaluated the impact of different treatment methods on post-progression survival (PPS) and overall survival (OS) of such patients. Data from 98 elderly and/or frail rGBM patients, treated initially with 1-week or 3-week radiotherapy (RT) within the phase III IAEA study (2010–2013), were analyzed. KPS at relapse and salvage treatment methods were recorded. Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate PPS and OS for different treatment modalities. Eighty-four patients experienced recurrence: 47 (56 %) received BSC, 21 (25 %)—chemotherapy (CHT), 8 (9.5 %)—surgery, 3 (3.5 %)—RT, for 5 (6 %) the data was unavailable. Median OS from randomization for all 84 patients was 35 weeks: 55 versus 30 weeks for any treatment versus BSC, p