EVALUATION OF RESPONSE TO HYPO-FRACTIONATED RADIATION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS OF GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME IN OUR POPULATION

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the response of elderly patients diagnosed with glioblastoma

Multiforme (GBM) to hypo-fractionated radiation therapy in our population.                                                                                                                                       

Materials and Methods:  After ethical approval, 49 patients were enrolled and underwent surgical resection followed by early postoperative MRI to assess residual disease (GTR/STR). Hypofractionated radiotherapy was started within 4–6 weeks with concurrent temozolomide, and patients were monitored weekly, followed by clinical and MRI evaluation at 3 and 6 months to assess tumor response and recurrence. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS Version 25.

Results: The mean age was 69.61 ± 5.79 years, with most patients aged 60–70 years, and the mean interval to radiotherapy was 5.46 ± 1.02 weeks. Most participants were male (69.4%), and subtotal resection was more common (59.2%). Tumor response showed 18.4% complete and 34.7% partial responses, with recurrence in 30.6%. No significant association was found between tumor response and age, gender, ECOG status, or extent of resection (p>0.05), while residual disease showed a significant association (p=0.02).

Conclusion: It was concluded that Hypofractionated radiotherapy with concurrent temozolomide is a feasible and effective option for elderly GBM patients, showing good short-term tumor response and disease control. Residual disease significantly affected outcomes, while other factors showed no significant association. Overall, it provides a practical alternative to conventional schedules with better compliance, though larger long-term studies are needed.