E-ISSN: 1019-5157
ISSN: 2651-5024
Research
A Population-Based Study of Pediatric and Adult Brainstem Glioma: Prognostic Nomograms for Overall and Cancer-Specific Survival
Cong Xu✉ ,
Yongyao Zhao ,
Xiangyu Wang ,
Zhaoming Li
The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Jinan University
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.49881-25.4
Article in Press
Corresponding Author:
Cong Xu (xcjyy@outlook.com)
Abstract
Aim
Brainstem glioma is a rare and highly aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. No previous retrospective studies using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database have included both pediatric and adult patients. Therefore, it is of great importance to establish an effective predictive model to inform clinical practice.
Material and Methods
Cases of brainstem tumors diagnosed between 2000 and 2022 were identified from the SEER database. X-tile software and Maxstat were used to define the optimal tumor size cutoff value and risk subgroups for brainstem glioma. Independent prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. These factors were used to construct two nomograms predicting 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival for brainstem glioma.
Results
Age, tumor size, histological type, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall and cancer-specific survival. Notably, gross total resection was significantly associated with improved survival outcomes.
Conclusion
This work enhances our understanding of the prognosis of brainstem glioma and corroborates the importance of surgical resection as a prognostic factor in its management. The validated nomograms offer a superior and personalized tool for risk stratification and prognostic estimation, which may be helpful for clinical decision making and patient counseling.
Brainstem glioma is a rare and highly aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. No previous retrospective studies using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database have included both pediatric and adult patients. Therefore, it is of great importance to establish an effective predictive model to inform clinical practice.
Material and Methods
Cases of brainstem tumors diagnosed between 2000 and 2022 were identified from the SEER database. X-tile software and Maxstat were used to define the optimal tumor size cutoff value and risk subgroups for brainstem glioma. Independent prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression. These factors were used to construct two nomograms predicting 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival for brainstem glioma.
Results
Age, tumor size, histological type, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall and cancer-specific survival. Notably, gross total resection was significantly associated with improved survival outcomes.
Conclusion
This work enhances our understanding of the prognosis of brainstem glioma and corroborates the importance of surgical resection as a prognostic factor in its management. The validated nomograms offer a superior and personalized tool for risk stratification and prognostic estimation, which may be helpful for clinical decision making and patient counseling.
Keywords
brainstem glioma
SEER database
nomogram
prognosis.