Ncog-21. predictors of survival in elderly patients undergoing surgery for gbm

Abstract BACKGROUND An increasing number of elderly patients are being diagnosed with GBM and undergoing surgery. These patients often present with multiple medical comorbidities and have significantly worse outcomes compared to adult patients. The goal of this study was to determine clinical predictors of survival in elderly patients undergoing surgery for GBM. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients 65 years of age and older that underwent surgery for newly diagnosed GBM from 2005-2018 was performed. A total of 150 patients were included, and subdivided into two age categories; 65-74 and 75 or older. RESULTS Advanced age and medical comorbidities were not associated with decreased survival (p = 0.07 and p = 0.09, respectively). Postoperative complication was associated with worse survival for all patients (HR = 2.34, p = 0.01) and occurred in patients with longer lengths of stay (p < 0.0001) and discharge destination other than home (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The presence of medical comorbidities and advanced age are not reasons to exclude patients with GBM from surgical consideration. Postoperative complication is the most significant predictor of survival in elderly patients and can be avoided by a short length of stay and discharge home.