January 11, 2026

E5 - Glioblastoma Survival in Elderly

9 minutes

E5 | 10 min | Latest | Publication Link

Podcast based on: Ali, A.M.S.; Parmar, V.; Hannan, C.J.; Farah, J.O. Predictors of Survival in Patients Aged ≥70 with Glioblastoma: A Time-Dependent Multivariable Analysis. Cancers 2026, 18, 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010178

Type: Article | Publication date: 05 January 2026

Summary: Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumour with a very poor outlook, particularly in older patients, and its incidence is expected to rise as the population ages. This study reviewed the outcomes of 124 patients aged 70 years or older who underwent surgery for glioblastoma at a single specialist neurosurgical centre between 2021 and 2025, with the aim of identifying factors linked to survival. Overall survival remained limited, with a median survival of around 8 months. Two factors were clearly associated with longer survival. Patients who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery lived longer than those who did not, with the benefit being strongest in the early months following surgery and gradually reducing over time. In addition, patients in whom all visible tumour could be removed during surgery tended to live longer than those who had only partial tumour removal. In contrast, age within this older group, general fitness before surgery, the presence of other medical conditions, tumour size, and molecular tumour features did not show a clear link with survival. Notably, a history of smoking was associated with poorer survival, even after accounting for other factors. Taken together, these findings suggest that selected patients aged 70 and over can still benefit from active, combined treatment approaches, and that early, coordinated decision-making around surgery and post-operative therapy is important to maximise potential survival benefits in this growing patient group.

Keywords: glioblastoma; older patients; surgical resection; adjuvant chemoradiotherapy

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This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

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