Turkish Neurosurgery 2012 , Vol 22 , Num 5
Malign Transformation in the Low Grade Astrocytomas and Related Factors
Kaan KAMASAK1, Mehmet Ali EKICI2, Cuneyt GOCMEZ1, Bulent TUCER3, Seyit Kaan BASARSLAN4, Ali KURTSOY3
1Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Diyarbakır, Turkey
2Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Bursa, Turkey
3Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Kayseri, Turkey
4Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Hatay, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.5347-11.3 AIM: Retrospective investigation of prognostic factors in low-grade astrocytomas.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In the study, prognostic factors were prospectively identified and assumed to be effective on prognosis, which were reviewed in 67 cases diagnosed as low-grade astrocytoma with craniotomy between May 1998 to December 2005 at Erciyes University Neurosurgery Department. Assessment of demographic, neurologic, radiological, surgical and clinical features of cases and adjuvant therapies and their relationship with prognosis were evaluated. Post-operative cumulative survival of the cases was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Log Rank test was used to compare the survival curve of the sub-groups. Multivariate analysis of survival was analyzed by using the Cox regression method.

RESULTS: It was seen that malign transformation occurred in 9 patients of subtotal resection group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). malign transformation was detected in one female (3.2%) and 8 male patients (22.2%). Difference in favor of men was statistically significant (p<0.05). Malignant transformation was detected in 7 of the patients given post-operative radiotherapy, only 2 patients displayed malign transformation in the group which received no radiotherapy. Comparison of groups revealed a significant difference (p=0.01).

CONCLUSION: Detection of higher malign transformation rate in cases underwent radiotherapy than those did not and the statistical significance in this meaning mandates to revise treatment plan regarding radiotherapy. Keywords : Low-grade astrocytoma, Prognostic factors, Malign transformation, Radiotherapy

Corresponding author : Mehmet Ali Ekıcı, mehmetali.ekici@gmail.com