Introduction: Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) of the spinal cord is rare entity. In the literature, various authors have shared their experiences with case report, small groups of patients which make it difficult to create a consensus regarding the treatment approach and predict the overall survival for spinal GBM. The aim of this study was to perform an integrative analysis of patients whose cases were selected from the published studies, and to examine the influence of various factors on overall outcomes.
Methods: A PubMed search was performed from 1950-2014 to select the articles containing information about the critical event (death), time to events and treatment characteristics
(Extent of resection with or without RT) in the patients with spinal GBM.
Results: A total of 127 patients of spinal Glioblastoma with information regarding the critical events, time to events and treatment characteristics were selected for the inclusion. Mean age was 25 years. 31 % of tumor was dorsal followed by 25% cervical and 14 % conus tumor. CSF spread was noted in 37 % of cases and 12.5 % patients present with hydrocephalus. Local recurrence rate was reported in 23 % of cases. Median survival was 11 months (1-144 months).Patient received adjuvant therapy following surgery had better survival (5 months vs 13 months) than surgery alone (p=0.0005).There was no survival difference between primary spinal tumor and primary spinal tumor with CSF spread (11 months vs 13 months).No overall survival difference was found between pediatric group (<18 years) and adults (11 months vs 12 months).
Conclusions: Management of spinal Glioblastoma Multiforme includes debulking of tumor and post-operative adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and or with chemotherapy) irrespective of age, sex and location.
Patient Care: It will help to prognosticate the patient about the final outcome of spinal Glioblastoma Multiforme.
Learning Objectives: Knowledge about overall survival of spinal Glioblastoma Multiforme.