The relative significance of factors affecting postoperative survival in astrocytomas, grades 3 and 4

✓ The records of 248 patients with supratentorial astrocytomas, Grades 3 and 4, treated surgically between 1960 and 1970 were analyzed. Abstracted clinical data were transferred to magnetic tape for computer analysis of postoperative survival factors using multiple chi square test and a step-wise multiple regression equation. All patients were followed, and only four were alive at the time of the study. It appeared that radiation therapy was the most important determinant of prolonged postoperative survival. The age of the patient was the only other factor of any significance.