Age and Gender as Prognostic Factors for Overall Survival in Surgically Treated Glioblastoma: A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63666/ejsmr.1694-9013.3.I.2025.59Keywords:
Glioblastoma, GBM, Glioma, Prognostic factor, SurgeryAbstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive primary brain tumors, with surgical resection serving as the cornerstone of initial management. This systematic literature review synthesizes evidence from studies published between 2020 and 2025 on the influence of age and gender on overall survival (OS) outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment for GBM. A comprehensive search of academic databases identified 28 relevant studies, encompassing retrospective cohorts, meta-analyses, population-based analyses, and case reports. Key findings indicate that advanced age at diagnosis is consistently associated with poorer OS, with hazard ratios (HR) typically exceeding 1.02 per year increment, reflecting accelerated mortality risk in older patients. Gender disparities reveal mixed results: while some studies report a survival advantage for females (HR 0.71–0.85), others observe no significant difference or even higher short-term mortality in women, potentially influenced by tumor biology, treatment tolerance, or comorbidities. Extent of resection emerges as a critical modifier, with gross total resection (GTR) extending median OS by 6–24 months across age and gender strata. These insights underscore the need for personalized surgical strategies, considering demographic factors to optimize multimodal therapy. Limitations include heterogeneity in study designs and adjuvant protocols. Future research should prioritize prospective trials to elucidate molecular underpinnings of these disparities.
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