Hypofractionated stereotactic re-irradiation for progressive glioblastoma: twelve years’ experience of a single center

Purpose We aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and the role of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) as a re-irradiation technique in the management of progressive glioblastoma. Methods The records of 77 previously irradiated glioblastoma patients who progressed and received second course hypofractionated SRT (1–5 fractions) between 2009 and 2022 in our department were evaluated retrospectively. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) was utilized for all statistical analyses. Results The median time to progression from the end of initial radiotherapy was 14 months (range, 6–68 months). The most common SRT schedule was 30 Gy (range, 18–50 Gy) in 5 fractions (range, 1–5 fractions). The median follow-up after SRT was 9 months (range, 3–80 months). One-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after SRT were 46% and 35%, respectively. Re-irradiation dose and the presence of pseudoprogression were both significant independent positive prognostic factors for both OS ( p = 0.009 and p = 0.04, respectively) and PFS ( p = 0.008 and p = 0.04, respectively). For PFS, progression-free interval > 14 months was also a prognostic factor ( p = 0.04). The treatment was well tolerated without significant acute toxicity. During follow-up, radiation necrosis was observed in 17 patients (22%), and 14 (82%) of them were asymptomatic. Conclusion Hypofractionated SRT is an effective treatment approach for patients with progressive glioblastoma. Younger patients who progressed later than 14 months, received higher SRT doses, and experienced pseudoprogression following SRT had improved survival rates.