Treatment in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and poor performance status: is it worthwhile?

It has not been ascertained that treatment of glioblastoma multiforme of the brain (GMB) favorably alters the prognosis in patients with poor pretreatment performance status (PPS). We report on 52 patients with GMB and PPS. The mean survival of 43 treated persons was 19 +/- 12 months (95% confidence interval) and of nine untreated individuals, 2 +/- 1 months (p > 0.50); the corresponding survival rates at 1 year were 39 +/- 16% and 0% (p > 0.05) and at 2 years, 15 +/- 12% and 0% (p > 0.40). We recommend active treatment of patients with GMB even when they present with poor functional status.