Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme: A single-institution experience

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common astrocytoma in adults and has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of about 12 months. But, it is rare in children. We report our experience on the pediatric population (20 years or younger) with GBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with GBM who were treated at our hospital during 1990–2008 were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age was 15.2 years, and the majority of them (14/23) were male. All had received radiotherapy and some had also received chemotherapy. The mean survival was 16.0 months. Two cases survived more than 5 years. Age, radiation dose and performance status were significantly related to survival. CONCLUSION: GBM in pediatric patients were not very common in our center, and prognosis was unfavorable.