Compares two brain surgery methods for glioblastoma tumors in eloquent areas
Compares awake brain surgery with surgery under general anesthesia in adults with glioblastoma.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The SAFE-Trial: Awake Craniotomy Versus Surgery Under General Anesthesia for Glioblastoma Patients.
Key facts
- Where
- Ghent, BelgiumSee the site
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with a suspected glioblastoma (a fast-growing brain tumour) in or near brain areas that control movement, feeling or speech. Half will have surgery while awake and half under general anaesthesia.
- Age
- 18 to 90 years
- Sex
- Men and women can join.
- Disease stage
- Suspected glioblastoma on MRI, in or near areas for movement, feeling or speech, that the neurosurgeon can remove by surgery. Karnofsky performance scale of 80 or more.
- Earlier treatment
- No previous brain tumour surgery.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Tumours of the cerebellum, brain stem or midline
- Several contrast-enhancing lesions in the brain
- Previous low-grade glioma
- Another primary cancer within the past 5 years (with some exceptions)
- Severe aphasia or dysphasia (serious speech problems)
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
Source: NCT03861299, who can take part
Where in Belgium
- University Hospital GhentGhent, BelgiumTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Jasper Gerritsen
- Trial code
- NCT03861299
- Record updated
- 21 November 2023
- Original description
The trial is designed as a multicenter randomized controlled study. 246 patients with presumed Glioblastoma Multiforme in eloquent areas on diagnostic MRI will be selected by the neurosurgeons according the eligibility criteria (see under). After written informed consent is obtained, the patient will be randomized for an awake craniotomy (AC) (+/-123 patients) or craniotomy under general anesthesia (GA) (+/-123 patients), with 1:1 allocation ratio. Under GA the amount of resection of the tumour has to be performed within safe margins as judged by the surgeon during surgery. The second group will be operated with an awake craniotomy procedure where the resection boundaries for motor or language functions will be identified by direct cortical and subcortical stimulation. After surgery, the diagnosis of GBM will have to be histologically confirmed. If GBM is not histologically confirmed, patients will be considered off-study and withdrawn from the study. These patients will be followed-up according to standard practice. Thereafter, patients will receive the standard treatment with concomitant Temozolomide and radiation therapy and standard follow up. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is expected to take 4 years. Follow-up is 1 year after surgery. Statistical analysis, cost benefit analysis and article writing will take 3 months.Read full original descriptionShow less
The SAFE-Trial: Safe Surgery for Glioblastoma Multiforme: Awake Craniotomy Versus Surgery Under General Anesthesia. A Multicenter Prospective Randomised Controlled Study
The trial is designed as a multicenter randomized controlled study. 246 patients with presumed Glioblastoma Multiforme in eloquent areas on diagnostic MRI will be selected by the neurosurgeons according the eligibility criteria (see under). After written informed consent is obtained, the patient will be randomized for an awake craniotomy (AC) (+/-123 patients) or craniotomy under general anesthesia (GA) (+/-123 patients), with 1:1 allocation ratio. Under GA the amount of resection of the tumour has to be performed within safe margins as judged by the surgeon during surgery. The second group will be operated with an awake craniotomy procedure where the resection boundaries for motor or language functions will be identified by direct cortical and subcortical stimulation. After surgery, the diagnosis of GBM will have to be histologically confirmed. If GBM is not histologically confirmed, patients will be considered off-study and withdrawn from the study. These patients will be followed-up according to standard practice. Thereafter, patients will receive the standard treatment with concomitant Temozolomide and radiation therapy and standard follow up. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is expected to take 4 years. Follow-up is 1 year after surgery. Statistical analysis, cost benefit analysis and article writing will take 3 months.
Inclusion: Age ≥18 years and ≤ 90 years; Tumor diagnosed as Glioblastoma Multiforme on MRI with distinct ring-like pattern of contrast enhancement with thick irregular walls and a core area reduced signal suggestive of tumour necrosis as assessed by the surgeon; Tumors situated in or near eloquent areas; motor cortex, sensory cortex, subcortical pyramidal tract or speech areas as indicated on MRI (Sawaya Grading II and II); The tumor is suitable for resection (according to neurosurgeon); Karnofsky performance scale 80 or more; Written Informed consent.
Exclusion: Previous brain tumour surgery; Previous low-grade glioma; Substantial non-contrast enhancing tumor areas suggesting low grade gliomas with malignant transformation; Psychiatric history; Second primary malignancy within the past 5 years with the exception of adequately treated in situ carcinoma of any organ or basal cell carcinoma of the skin; Tumors of the cerebellum, brain stem or midline; Multifocal contrast enhancing lesions; Medical reasons precluding MRI (eg, pacemaker); Inability to give consent because of or language barrier; Severe aphasia or dysphasia.