Prognostic Factors Influencing Clinical Outcomes of Malignant Glioblastoma Multiforme

Malignant glioblastoma multiform (GBM, WHO grade IV) are the most malignant and prevalent intracranial tumor providing for well over one half of all gliomas (Hoffman et al., 2006; Schneider et al., 2010). GBM is characterized by a rapid growth and short time to progression in most treated patients. Current therapeutic modalities include surgical resection, radio-surgical or external irradiation, chemotherapy (Cheng et al., 2005; Stupp et al., 2006; Wen et al., 2006) and biological therapy (Kjaergaard et al., 2005). Despite recent advances in diagnostics and treatments, prognosis for advanced patients suffering from these diseases remains poor (Ng et al., 2007). The median survival time is usually less than a year (Sathornsumetee and Rich, 2006). It is important for us to understand the factors that contribute positively or negatively to the prognosis of patients, which may guide treatment paradigms and therapeutic strategies aimed at prolonging survival. Some researchers have analyzed the