Brain Re-irradiation for Recurrent Glioblastoma …. Is It Justified?

Background: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV brain tumour with high recurrence rate despite maximum treatment including surgical resection, concurrent chemo-radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. In recurrent tumours, there is no standard treatment available.

Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients with recurrent GBM who presented to our department in the period between Jan 2017 to Dec 2018 and received re-irradiation after tumour recurrence. Data were collected from patient medical records to assess DFS, OAS and toxicity.

Results: Totally, 33 patients were enrolled. All cases were re-irradiated to a total dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions. The overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly better in younger patients with good performance status and small tumour size. Only 2 cases (6.1%) developed deterioration of neurological symptoms.

Conclusion: Brain re-irradiation is a feasible and safe treatment option in patients with recurrent GBM.