Radiation therapy for glioblastoma: Executive summary of an American Society for Radiation Oncology Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline

Purpose: To present evidence-based guidelines for radiation therapy in treating glioblastoma not arising from the brainstem.

Methods and materials: The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) convened the Glioblastoma Guideline Panel to perform a systematic literature review investigating the following: (1) Is radiation therapy indicated after biopsy/resection of glioblastoma and how does systemic therapy modify its effects? (2) What is the optimal dose-fractionation schedule for external beam radiation therapy after biopsy/resection of glioblastoma and how might treatment vary based on pretreatment characteristics such as age or performance status? (3) What are ideal target volumes for curative-intent external beam radiation therapy of glioblastoma? (4) What is the role of reirradiation among glioblastoma patients whose disease recurs following completion of standard first-line therapy? Guideline recommendations were created using predefined consensus-building methodology supported by ASTRO-approved tools for grading evidence quality and recommendation strength.

Results: Following biopsy or resection, glioblastoma patients with reasonable performance status up to 70 years of age should receive conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (eg, 60 Gy in 2-Gy fractions) with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide. Routine addition of bevacizumab to this regimen is not recommended. Elderly patients (≥70 years of age) with reasonable performance status should receive hypofractionated radiation therapy (eg, 40 Gy in 2.66-Gy fractions); preliminary evidence may support adding concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide to this regimen. Partial brain irradiation is the standard paradigm for radiation delivery. A variety of acceptable strategies exist for target volume definition, generally involving 2 phases (primary and boost volumes) or 1 phase (single volume). For recurrent glioblastoma, focal reirradiation can be considered in younger patients with good performance status.

Conclusions: Radiation therapy occupies an integral role in treating glioblastoma. Whether and how radiation therapy should be applied depends on characteristics specific to tumor and patient, including age and performance status.