Second surgery for recurrent glioblastoma: advantages and pitfalls

Abstract

Deciding upon the therapeutic approach for patients with recurrent glioblastoma is a challenge. Although second surgery may provide effective palliation, it has yet to be established whether it prolongs survival and/or improves quality of life; nor have data been reported in literature to demonstrate that repeat surgery is indicated for patients with recurrence. The few studies investigating this issue are retrospective and have been conducted on small series, and their data sets are not homogeneous. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to analyze predictors of outcome in patients with recurrent glioblastoma and to make a critical of review of data in literature with a view to comparing the effect on outcome of second surgery against well-known prognostic determinants.

Keywords::

• glioblastoma
• prognostic factors
• recurrence
• second surgery

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.