Session Item

The impact of different patterns of glioblastoma (GBM) recurrence has not yet been fully established in patients suitable for a second surgery. Through the present observational study carried out at Pisa University Hospital, we aimed to examine the impact of different patterns of GBM failure on patients’ survival and second surgery outcomes.

Overall survival was assessed according to clinical characteristics, including pattern of recurrence, in a prospective cohort of recurrent GBM patients. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test was applied to evaluate the differences between curves

Contact with ventricles, a second surgery and meningeal spread had a statistically impact on patient survival after the diagnosis of GBM recurrence (P=0.032, P=0.019 and P<0.01, respectively). Patients with local recurrence had better survival than patients with non-local ones, 24.1 versus 18.2 months, respectively (P=0.015, HR=1.856 (1.130 -3.050). Considering the cohort as a whole, the second surgery conferred an advantage in recurrent survival respect to non-operated patients. However, this advantage was more evident in patients with local recurrence (P=0.002 with HR 0.212 (95% CI 0.081- 0.552) and P=0.029 with HR=0.522 (95% CI 0.291-0.936), respectively).

The local recurrence pattern could be a promising field of interest for patients with recurrent GBM suitable for a second surgery.