Role of magnetic resonance imaging following postoperative radiotherapy in clinical decision-making of patients with high-grade glioma

Objectives The present study aims to investigate the role of the first magnetic resonances (MRI) following radio-chemotherapy (RT-CT) in patients diagnosed with high-grade glioma. Methods We retrospectively recorded radiological evaluations following RT-CT, symptoms related to disease progression (avoiding any sign due to radiotherapy or chemotherapy) and the change of therapeutic strategy. Results In March 2021, at data analysis, the data of 149 patients diagnosed with high-grade glioma and treated between May 2013 and July 2020 were retrieved for the present analysis. Two out of 122 (1.6%), 5 out of 106 (4.7%) and 8 out of 92 (8.6%) asymptomatic patients received the diagnosis of disease recurrence at the time of the first, second and third MRI, respectively. Otherwise, 16 out of 27 (59.2%), 16 out of 24 (66.6%) and 13 out of 16 (82.2%) symptomatic patients changed their therapy after the first, second and third MRI, respectively. Among patients that experienced radiological signs of distant progression, 10 out of 14 were symptomatic and changed their therapy. Conclusions MRIs performed by 6 months after the end of RT-CT lead to change treatment strategy mostly in symptomatic patients.