The use of chemotherapy in patients with gliomas: patterns of care in Victoria from 1998-2000

Chemotherapy has an increasing role in the management of gliomas. In particular, chemotherapy provides survival and quality of life benefits in the setting of recurrent high-grade gliomas and in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. We have previously reported details on patterns of care regarding 828 patients diagnosed with a glioma in the state of Victoria for the period 1998-2000. We observed that 250 patients (30%) received chemotherapy at some stage of their illness, including neo-adjuvant, adjuvant and recurrent clinical settings. There was significant variation in the agents used and their scheduling. Chemotherapy was given at any time in only 15% of patients aged over 60 years. Eight percent of patients were enrolled on a chemotherapy clinical trial. As chemotherapy for gliomas becomes entrenched as the standard of care, this survey will provide an insight into changing patterns of care for the future and points to areas of need in management of these tumours.