To evaluate whether delayed repeat resection is associated with a higher risk of postoperative deficits or differences in oncological outcomes, specifically overall survival and progression-free survival, compared to earlier repeat resection at suspicion of glioblastoma recurrence.
Key Findings:
Median overall survival after repeat resection is reported to be 12 to 18 months, indicating a potential benefit of timely intervention.
Upfront repeat resection was performed in 53% of cases, while 29% received salvage non-surgical therapy, suggesting varied treatment approaches.
A watch-and-wait strategy was applied in 13% of patients, raising questions about its impact on outcomes.
Interpretation:
The timing of repeat resection for recurrent glioblastoma is critical, with varied management strategies—such as upfront resection, watch-and-wait, or salvage therapy—leading to different clinical outcomes.
Limitations:
Retrospective nature of the study may introduce selection bias.
Small sample size may limit generalizability of findings.
Potential variability in imaging interpretation could affect treatment decisions.
Conclusion:
Optimal timing for repeat resection remains uncertain, highlighting the need for further research to establish guidelines for managing recurrent glioblastoma, particularly regarding the balance between surgical risks and oncological outcomes.
by Obada T. Alhalabi, Kirill Mironov, Khurshed Nabiev, Johanna Krämer, Nour Gareib, Henri Olldashi, Stefan Joser, Marianne Schell, Sandro M. Krieg, Andreas W. Unterberg, Christine Jungk
