Patterns of care and treatment outcomes of patients with astroblastoma: a National Cancer Database analysis

Emily C Merfeld, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Sonika Dahiya, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Stephanie M Perkins, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the use of chemotherapy and radiation, and their outcomes for patients with astroblastoma.

PATIENTS & METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients extracted from the National Cancer Database. We investigated overall survival (OS) using Kaplan-Meier curves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to correlate OS with risk variables and treatments.

RESULTS: OS at 5 years was 79.5%. Patients with high-grade tumors were more likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation. Patients with high-grade astroblastoma who did not receive adjuvant radiation had poor survival.

CONCLUSION: Patients with astroblastoma should be treated with curative intent. Radiation is likely beneficial in high-grade astroblastoma. The exact role of radiation and chemotherapy following surgical resection warrant further investigation.