Heather McKee

Date of Award

11-15-2006

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Medical Doctor (MD)

First Advisor

Joachim Baehring

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated an association between loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 1p and chromosome 19q in oligodendrogliomas with both chemosensitivity and prolonged survival. This represents the first time genetic mutations have been utilized to guide clinical decision making. Studies have also found these genetic mutations to be associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features including indistinct tumor borders on T1-weighted imaging, susceptibility effect, and mixed signal intensity. However, no study has yet demonstrated an association between imaging features and survival. We seek to confirm the clinical utility of known prognostic factors such as age and tumor grade while investigating the potential importance of imaging characteristics in predicting survival. We conducted a large, single-institution retrospective chart review of patients with tissue diagnoses of oligodendroglioma. Pathology reports, allelic status studies, MR imaging, and survival information were reviewed. Survival curves, Two-sided chi-square tests, and generalized linear models failed to reveal an association between survival and gender, age, tumor grade, allelic status, or imaging characteristics. We found no association between imaging characteristics and allelic status. The failure to confirm even well-accepted prognostic factors suggests limitations in the study largely attributable to small sample size. This limitation was due to availability of necessary information, rarity of the tumor, and only recent availability of genetic testing. Further studies with larger populations need to be conducted to fully determine the prognostic utility of MRI features.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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