Glioblastoma Prognosis in the Elderly

This clinical tool uses predictive modelling to estimate post-operative morbidity and mortality in elderly patients following surgical treatment for glioblastoma.

years
points
Tumour focus
Tumour side

* 95% confidence that probability lies within the lower and upper limits.

How to read and relay findings of the prognostic tool:

Example patient — A 78-year-old man who can dress himself but requires assistance to shower and has a radiographic diagnosis of a multifocal, unilateral glioblastoma.

GBM tool entry — Age = 78 / KPS = 60 / Tumor focus = multifocal / Tumor side = unilateral

Result — If the patient decides to proceed with neurosurgery they have a 44% chance of being functionally independent with their Activities of Daily Living on discharge from hospital and a 20% chance of being independent at 3 months post-discharge. The patient also has a 73% chance of surviving to 3 months post-discharge but only a 34% chance of surviving to 6 months. Confidence intervals are reported under the best predictive point estimates for each clinical situation.

Karnofsky Performance Status Definitions

Able to carry on normal activity and to work; no specal care needed. 100 Normal no compaints; no evidence of diseases.
90 Able to carry on normal activity; minor signs or symptoms of disease.
80 Normal activity with effort; some signs or symptoms of disease.
Unable to work; able to live at home and care for most personal needs; varying amount of assistance needed. 70 Cares for self; unable to carry on normal activity or to do active work.
60 Requires occasional assistance, but is able to care for most of his/her personal needs.
50 Requires considerable assistance and frequent medical care.
Unable to care for self; requires equivalent of institutional or hospital care; disease may be progressing rapidly. 40 Disabled requires special care and assistance.
30 Severly disabled; hospital admission is indicated although death not imminent.
20 Very sick; hospital admission necessary; active supportive treatment necessary.
10 Moribund; fatal processes progressing rapidly.
0 Dead.

Research

  • Karnofsky DA, Burchenal JH. In
    Evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents. MacLeod CM, editor.
    New York: Columbia University Press; 1949. The clinical evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer; pp. 191-205.
  • Dominik Peus, Nicolas Newcomb and Silvia Hofer
    Appraisal of the Karnofsky Performance Status and proposal of a simple algorithmic system for its evaluation.
    BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 13, Article number: 72 (2013)
Disclaimer — The contents of this website are for informational purposes only. Each patient's clinical status and tumor characteristics are unique and should be considered independently. The predictive tool results are not intended to be a substitute for clinical decision making or professional medical advice. Any data entered into the website will not be stored or shared.