Malignant glioma. Results of combined modality therapy.

Multimodal treatment of malignant gliomas is routinely used at New York University Medical Center. Overall, our treatment program has resulted in survival rates of 78% at six months, 51% at one year, and 7% at five years for these high-grade brain tumors. However, various subgroups (based on tumor or host factors, or both) fared significantly better or worse than others. Particularly limited survival rates were found in patients who experienced paresis/paralysis or impaired mental function, who had tumors that were markedly anaplastic, who were elderly, or who for a variety of reasons did not receive the multimodal treatment we consider optimal.