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Treatment of Glioblastoma in Older Adults

  • Geriatric Oncology (AR MacKenzie, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor diagnosed in the USA and is associated with a poor prognosis. The outcomes in elderly patients (more than 65 years of age) are worse when compared to those younger than age 65 at the time of diagnosis. Older patients are not always offered treatments that would otherwise be considered standard of care due to comorbidities and concerns about toxicity and tolerability. The initial European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer study that led to approval of temozolomide in glioblastoma excluded patients more than 70 years of age. This review outlines challenges that arise in the treatment of glioblastoma in the elderly population and discusses results of recent studies that established the role of adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to radiation and surgery. There is evidence that these patients can benefit from a more aggressive and safe resection, from hypofractionated radiation treatments, and from adjuvant temozolomide.

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Funding

The work of MSA was supported by the Dean and Diane Miller Family Chair in Neuro-Oncology.

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  1. Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, CA5, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Kelly Braun & Manmeet S. Ahluwalia

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Correspondence to Manmeet S. Ahluwalia.

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Conflict of Interest

Kelly Braun declares that she has no conflict of interest. Manmeet S. Ahluwalia has received research support through grants from Monteris Medical, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Novocure, Novartis, Incyte, Pharmacyclics, and TRACON Pharmaceuticals, and has received compensation from Monteris Medical, AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, Datar Genetics Ltd., CBT Pharmaceuticals, Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, Elsevier, Novocure, Incyte, prIME Oncology, and Caris Life Sciences for service as a consultant.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geriatric Oncology

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Braun, K., Ahluwalia, M.S. Treatment of Glioblastoma in Older Adults. Curr Oncol Rep 19, 81 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-017-0644-z

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