Neuro-oncology practice
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Neuro-oncology practice · Dec 2020
Stakeholder engagement in research on quality of life and palliative care for brain tumors: a qualitative analysis of #BTSM and #HPM tweet chats.
Research is needed to inform palliative care models that address the full spectrum of quality of life (QoL) needs for brain tumor patients and care partners. Stakeholder engagement in research can inform research priorities; engagement via social media can complement stakeholder panels. The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of Twitter to complement in-person stakeholder engagement, and report emergent themes from qualitative analysis of tweet chats on QoL needs and palliative care opportunities for brain tumor patients. ⋯ In addition to providing neurological and symptom management, specialized palliative care for brain tumor patients may address unmet patient and care partner psychosocial and informational needs. Stakeholder engagement using Twitter proved useful for informing research priorities and understanding stakeholder perspectives on QoL and palliative care.
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Neuro-oncology practice · Oct 2020
Perceptions of prognosis and goal of treatment in patients with malignant gliomas and their caregivers.
Patients with malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis. However, little is known about patients' and caregivers' understanding of the prognosis and the primary treatment goal. ⋯ Patients with malignant gliomas frequently hold inaccurate perceptions of the prognosis and treatment goal. Although caregivers more often report an accurate assessment of these metrics, many still report an overly optimistic perception of prognosis. Interventions are needed to enhance prognostic communication and to help patients cope with the associated distress.
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Neuro-oncology practice · Dec 2019
Diagnostic accuracy and added value of qualitative radiological review of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in evaluation of childhood brain tumors.
1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) facilitates noninvasive diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors by providing metabolite profiles. Prospective studies of diagnostic accuracy and comparisons with conventional MRI are lacking. We aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of MRS for childhood brain tumors and determine added clinical value compared with conventional MRI. ⋯ MRS can improve the accuracy of noninvasive diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors and add value in the diagnostic pathway. Incorporation into practice has the potential to facilitate early diagnosis, guide treatment planning, and improve patient care.
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Neuro-oncology practice · Mar 2018
Evaluation of the added value of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the diagnosis of pediatric brain lesions in clinical practice.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) aids noninvasive diagnosis of pediatric brain tumors, but use in clinical practice is not well documented. We aimed to review clinical use of MRS, establish added value in noninvasive diagnosis, and investigate potential impact on patient care. ⋯ MRS can improve accuracy and confidence in noninvasive diagnosis of pediatric brain lesions in clinical practice. There is potential to improve outcomes through avoiding biopsy of indolent lesions, aiding tumor characterization, and facilitating earlier family discussions and treatment planning.
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Neuro-oncology practice · Sep 2017
Palliative and end-of-life care in glioblastoma: defining and measuring opportunities to improve care.
American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) quality measures for terminal cancers recommend early advance care planning and hospice at the end of life. We sought to evaluate adherence to 5 palliative care quality measures and explore associations with patient outcomes in glioblastoma. ⋯ Late advance directive documentation, minimal early palliative care involvement, and the association of early hospice enrollment with death in a home setting underscore the need to improve care and better define palliative care quality measures in glioblastoma.