Prognostic Significance of Anatomic Origin and Evaluation of Survival Statistics of Astrocytoma Patients—a Tertiary Experience

Abstract

Astrocytoma constitutes the most noted malignancies of the central nervous system with worse clinical outcomes in grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme. Owing to poor clinical outcomes with existing therapeutic regime, there is a need to revisit the initial course of treatment. Statistical information of clinicopathological parameters could be used to understand the spread of disease and, in turn, to formulate updated treatment management. In the present study, we have seen anatomic distribution of astrocytoma subtypes in a group of 479 patients and correlated it with survival outcomes. Anatomic location was confirmed by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images. A registry of patients was maintained with clinicopathological details as tumor type, location, age/sex, and survival after surgery. We have observed overall survival particulars in patients diagnosed with astrocytoma. Our findings highlight that in total cases, tumor location was anatomically dominated by frontal and temporal lobes. Survival analysis in high-grade (grade III, p = 0.03; grade IV, p = 0.01) astrocytic tumors confirms poor outcomes with temporal, parietal, and occipital location as compared to frontal lobe. Overall survival study demonstrates glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) was associated with worse prognosis as compared to astrocytoma subtypes (p < 0.0001). In high-grade astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytoma was found with 34 months of median survival age while 14 months in the case of patients with glioblastoma multiforme. In conclusion, we report dismal prognosis in parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes in grade II, grade III, and grade IV astrocytoma patients. Among astrocytoma subtypes, patients with glioblastoma multiforme were associated with worse survival outcomes. We uniquely feature the survival of astrocytoma patients for the first time and observe GBM patients have slightly longer survival.