Can the prognosis of individual patients with glioblastoma be predicted using an online calculator?

backgroundIn an exploratory subanalysis of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and National Cancer Institute of Canada (EORTC/NCIC) trial data, Gorlia et al. identified a variety of factors that were predictive of overall survival, including therapy administered, age, extent of surgery, mini-mental score, administration of corticosteroids, World Health Organization (WHO) performance status, and O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status. Gorlia et al. developed 3 nomograms, each intended to predict the survival times of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma on the basis of individual-specific combinations of prognostic factors. These are available online as a "GBM Calculator" and are intended for use in patient counseling. This study is an external validation of this calculator.

methodOne hundred eighty-seven patients from 2 UK neurosurgical units who had histologically confirmed glioblastoma (WHO grade IV) had their information at diagnosis entered into the GBM calculator. A record was made of the actual and predicted median survival time for each patient. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the accuracy, precision, correlation, and discrimination of the calculator.

resultsThe calculator gives both inaccurate and imprecise predictions. Only 23% of predictions were within 25% of the actual survival, and the percentage bias is 140% in our series. The coefficient of variance is 76%, where a smaller percentage would indicate greater precision. There is only a weak positive correlation between the predicted and actual survival among patients (R(2) of 0.07). Discrimination is inadequate as measured by a C-index of 0.62.

conclusionsThe authors would not recommend the use of this tool in patient counseling. If departments were considering its use, we would advise that a similar validating exercise be undertaken.