PROGNOSIS GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME (GBM)

The prognosis for GBM patients remains poor (Adamson, et al, 2009). The median survival after diagnosis is about 12-14 months, only 2-5% of patients survive >3 years. Established good prognostic factors are limited,  but include

- Age:  Patients who are older than 70 years of age have a worse prognosis than younger patients.

- High Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)

- High mini-mental status examination score

- O6-methylguanine methyltransferase promoter methylation

- Extent of surgery (resection of > 98% of the tumor)

Long term survival is rare, literature reveals few long-term survivors (Glas et al, 2009; Matsumoto et al, 2008;  Sperduto et al, 2009 , Sonoda et al, 20009)