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Combined temozolomide and radiation as an initial treatment for anaplastic glioma
Author(s) -
Tham Chee Kian,
See Siew Ju,
Tan Sze Huey,
Lim Keith Hsiu Chin,
Ng Wai Hoe,
Thomas John,
Chong Dawn Qingqing,
Chua Eu Tiong
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
asia‐pacific journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1743-7563
pISSN - 1743-7555
DOI - 10.1111/ajco.12038
Subject(s) - temozolomide , medicine , anaplastic astrocytoma , glioma , radiation therapy , oncology , surgery , randomized controlled trial , biopsy , astrocytoma , cancer research
Aim Combined temozolomide ( TMZ ) and radiation therapy ( RT ) is often used as initial treatment for anaplastic glioma. However, there is no prospective randomized data available that proves the efficacy of the combination for anaplastic glioma. In this retrospective study we aimed to compare the outcome of patients who had combined TMZ and RT with those who had RT alone for the initial treatment of anaplastic glioma in our centers. Methods Patients with anaplastic astrocytoma or oligoastrocytoma treated at our centers between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Only patients who received initial RT or concurrent TMZ and RT ( TMZ‐RT ) were included. Results Of 62 patients, 55 were less than 66‐years old; 36 (58.1%) had a tumor resection and 26 had a biopsy only. An oligodendroglial component in their tumor histology was present in 21 patients (33.9%). At a median follow up of 20.7 months for all patients, median progression‐free survival was similar for the two treatment groups ( RT alone: 16.7 months (95% CI 9.4, 34.8 months) versus TMZ‐RT : 14.8 months (95% CI 8.6, 28.6 months, P = NS ). Median overall survival was 27.4 months (95% CI 10.6, not estimable [NE] months) for patients who had RT alone and 34.1 months (95% CI 19.8, 42.1 months) for those who had TMZ‐RT . Conclusion No significant benefit of combined TMZ with RT compared to RT alone was observed as the initial treatment of anaplastic glioma. Prospective randomized trials are needed to evaluate the optimal treatment for this disease.