Prognostic impact of hemoglobin level prior to radiotherapy on survival in patients with glioblastoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prognostic factors in patients with glioblastoma treated with postoperative or primary radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 2000, a total of 100 patients underwent irradiation as part of their initial treatment for glioblastoma. All patients had undergone surgery or biopsy followed by conventional external-beam radiotherapy. 85 patients who received the planned dose of irradiation (60 Gy in 30 fractions) were analyzed for the influence of prognostic factors. 73/85 (86%) of patients were given postoperative irradiation, while 12/85 (14%) of patients were primarily treated with radiotherapy after biopsy.

RESULTS: The median overall survival was 10.1 months (range, 3.7-49.8 months), the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 41% and 5%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed age < or = 55 years (p < 0.001), pre-radiotherapy hemoglobin (Hb) level > 12 g/dl (p = 0.009), and pre-radiotherapy dose of dexamethasone < or = 2 mg/day (p = 0.005) to be associated with prolonged survival. At multivariate analysis, younger age (p < 0.001), higher Hb level (p = 0.002), lower dose of dexamethasone (p = 0.026), and a hemispheric tumor location (p = 0.019) were identified as independent prognostic factors for longer survival. The median survival for patients with an Hb level > 12 g/dl was 12.1 months compared to 7.9 months for those with a lower Hb level. Contingency-table statistics showed no significant differences for the two Hb groups in the distribution of other prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that lower Hb level prior to radiotherapy for glioblastoma can adversely influence prognosis. This finding deserves further evaluation.