Biopsy Versus Resection in Elderly Glioblastoma Patients. A Prospective Cohort Study.

This trial is set up as a prospective observational cohort study to identify if either biopsy or resection should be the surgical modality of choice in elderly glioblastoma patients with a newly diagnosed tumor. Patients who are considered eligible for GBM resection or biopsy will be included. Through shared-decision making patients and their treating physicians will decide upon resection or biopsy. Written informed consent will be obtained. Participants will be followed for 1 year postoperative to assess potential differences in health-related quality of life and overall survival.Follow-up will consist of health-related quality of life questionaires and neurological assessment at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperative. Additionally Cognitive and neuro-linguistic tests will be done at 3 months postoperative. These will be compared to results pre-operative.After surgery, patients will receive standard adjuvant treatment with concomitant Temozolomide and radiation therapy, and standard follow-up. Patients in whom the diagnosis GBM is not confirmed in histological analyses will be excluded from the study. Total study duration will be 4 years, of which 3 years will comprise patient inclusion, with a follow-up duration of 1 year.

Inclusion Criteria:Age ≥70 yearsTumor diagnosed as glioblastoma on MRI with distinct ring-like pattern of contrast enhancement with thick irregular walls and a core area reduced signal suggestive of tumor necrosis as assessed by the surgeon.Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) ≥70Written Informed consentExclusion Criteria:Tumors of the cerebellum, brain stem or midlineMultifocal contrast enhancing lesionsSubstantial non-contrast enhancing tumor areas suggesting low grade gliomas with malignant transformationMedical reasons precluding MRI (e.g. pacemaker)Inability to give consent as assessed by neurosurgeon (e.g. language barrier)Severe aphasia prohibiting neurolinguistic testing and comprehension of informed consentPrevious brain tumor surgeryPrevious low-grade gliomaSecond primary malignancy within the past 5 years with the exception of adequately treated in situ carcinoma of any organ or basal cell carcinoma of the skin.