Imaging characteristics of high-grade glioma and effect of hemoglobin level on recurrence pattern and time to recurrence

Objective To analyze the effects of hemoglobin level, tumor size and location, peritumoral edema range and direction in patients with high-grade glioma on tumor recurrence pattern and time. Methods A total of 77 patients who were admitted to hospital from February 2013 to March 2018 and pathologically diagnosed were selected. The effects of hemoglobin level, tumor size and location, peritumoral edema range and direction on the recurrence pattern were analyzed. The influencing factors of progression-free survival outcomes were evaluated. Results The recurrence pattern of glioma was related to peritumoral edema range and tumor location (P=0.003, P=0.046). Patients with small peritumoral edema range had better progression-free survival (P=0.005), which however was not an independent influencing factor. Patients with high hemoglobin levels before treatment and during radiotherapy, advanced pathological stages, and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) mutation showed better progression-free survival (P<0.001). Hemoglobin levels before treatment and IDH1 mutation were the independent influencing factors of progression-free survival (P=0.047, P<0.000 1). Conclusions For patients with high-grade glioma, hemoglobin level, tumor size and location, peritumoral edema range and direction should be fully considered, so as to guide radiotherapy target delineation, adopt individualized treatment strategies, and improve the quality of life and survival.