TUMOR SIZE, TREATMENT PATTERNS, AND SURVIVAL IN NEURO-ONCOLOGY PATIENTS WITH GLIOBLASTOMA AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global healthcare, potentially leading to diagnostic delays in time-sensitive pathologies. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the pandemic-induced "diagnostic vacuum" on the clinical presentation, tumor volume, and survival of patients with Glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: A multicentric, retrospective cohort study was conducted comparing two distinct periods: Pre-Pandemic (2017–2019, n=55) and Post-Pandemic (2022–2025, n=55). Parameters included MRI-based volumetric analysis, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Post-pandemic patients presented with significantly larger median tumor volumes (47.8 cm³ vs. 31.4 cm³; p=0.001) and lower median KPS at diagnosis (70 vs. 85; p=0.004). The odds ratio for receiving gross total resection (GTR) was significantly reduced (OR 0.62), directly impacting survival outcomes. Conclusion: Preliminary results obtained in the present study showed that the pandemic precipitated a "stage migration" in GBM, resulting in more advanced disease at presentation and diminished resectability. These findings underscore the urgent need for "fast-track" neuro-oncology referral systems to ensure oncological resilience during future systemic crises.