Objective There has been an increased focus on the region adjacent to the lateral ventricles (LV) as a potential source of malignant
tumors and/or more aggressive disease. We set out to determine if glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) bordering the LV was associated
with decreased survival as compared to non-LV GBM.
Methods We reviewed the clinical records of 69 consecutive patients undergoing craniotomy for GBM at a single academic institution.
Twenty-six patients were identified with contrast-enhancing lesions (CEL) bordering the LV (LV CEL). These 26 patients were
matched with 26 patients with CEL not bordering the LV (non-LV CEL). These cohorts were matched for factors consistently shown
to be associated with survival, which were age, tumor size, Karnofsky performance score, extent of resection, Gliadel implantation,
and Temodar chemotherapy. Overall survival was compared between the cohorts via Log-rank analysis.
Results Despite similarities in pre-operative clinical status, tumor size, peri-operative outcome, and treatment regimens, the median
survival for patients with LV CEL was significantly decreased as compared to patients with non-LV CEL (8 months vs. 11 months),
P = 0.02. Additionally, survival analysis in patients stratified by primary and secondary resection also demonstrated a strong
trend towards decreased survival after resection of LV CEL. After primary and secondary resection, patients with LV CEL versus
non-LV CEL had a median survival of 11 months vs. 14 months (
P = 0.10) and 7 months vs. 10 months (
P = 0.11), respectively.
Conclusion While the causal factors underlying this observation are not provided with this observational study, GBM bordering the LV
may carry a prognostic significance.
Keywords Glioblastoma multiforme - Survival - Location - Lateral ventricles - Subventricular zone