Weight of epilepsy in brain tumor patients.

About 20-40% of patients with brain tumor have seizures; all of whom must be treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that can cause side effects which may influence quality of life (QoL). However, little data are available regarding the weight of epilepsy on QoL in brain tumor (BT) patients, despite the fact that epilepsy is considered the most important risk factor for long-term disability in this patient population. Aim of this study is to explore the weight of epilepsy in BT patients, and to identify which factors might contribute to their epilepsy burden, as expressed by them only at their first visit in a specialized epilepsy center, in order to have a snapshot for that moment in their care cycle. We reviewed medical charts and results from a battery of tests (routinely given at our outpatient center), administered to 100 consecutive BTRE patients at their first visit, followed from 2007 to 2010. Our results reveal: (1) neurological performances and global neurocognitive status were not influenced by factors related to neoplastic disease or to epilepsy (2) side effects, cognitive deficits, and QoL concerns, as well as patients' perception of these, were significantly related to polytherapy, especially in patients who had been taking AEDs for a period longer that 6 months (3) the seizure number did not influence patients' QoL. We found that the weight of epilepsy in BTRE patients was related to AED therapy. Our study highlights the fact that epilepsy in our patients adds a significant burden, and suggests the need to give the proper attention to patients' concerns regarding the challenges that this pathology might present. Nevertheless, future studies could be designed with a follow-up period and with a patient stratification in order to better understand the weight of epilepsy for these patients.

Home palliative care and end of life issues in glioblastoma multiforme: results and comments from a homogeneous cohort of patients.

OBJECT: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a rare tumor whose prognosis has remained poor over the years despite innovative radio- and chemotherapies, and important technical advances in neurosurgery such as intraoperative imaging, fluorescence, Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator, and neuronavigation. Particular attention has been dedicated in the last years to the end of life (EOL) period in cancer patients for both ethical and socioeconomic issues. Good palliative care at home avoids improper and expensive hospitalizations, and helps and trains families, caregivers, and patients in facing a difficult situation. METHODS: In 2012-2013 the authors' group cared for 197 patients with brain tumors. Of these there were 122 with GBMs: 64 died and 58 are still receiving assistance. The clinical conditions are periodically evaluated with the following scales: Barthel Index, Karnofsky Performance Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination. Home care staff includes 2 neurologists, 5 nurses, 2 psychologists, 3 rehabilitation therapists, and 1 social worker. The intensity of care changes at the different stages of disease, ranging from low to medium levels of intensity at the progression stage (more than 1 access weekly) to high levels of intensity at the EOL stage (at least 3 accesses weekly). Control MRI studies are obtained every 3 months before terminal progression. RESULTS: Overall in this sample of patients there were 2838 home visits and 11,714 days of assistance. Thirty-four patients (14 female and 20 male) died at home (53.1%); 22 (13 female and 9 male) at the hospice (34.4%); and 8 (4 female and 4 male) at the hospital (12.5%). A positive impact on caregivers for home assistance was recorded in 97% of cases, for nursing in 95%, communication in 90%, rehabilitation at home in 92%, and social work help in 85%. Also, 72% had an improvement in their quality of life scores due to rehabilitation. End of life palliative sedation with midazolam was necessary in 11% of cases to obtain good control of symptoms such as uncontrolled delirium, agitation, death rattle, or refractory seizures. Intramuscular phenobarbital is the authors' drug of choice for the severe seizures that occurred in 30% of cases. The reduction of steroid dosage is also used to decrease wakefulness. Steroids were withdrawn in 45% of patients dying at home, mild hydration was done in 87%, and tube feeding in 13%. The decision-making process at the EOL stage is time consuming, but the degree of distress of the family is inversely proportional to the extent of the preparatory period. CONCLUSIONS: A previous paper showed the positive cost-effectiveness of home assistance for a larger group of patients dealing with any kind of malignant brain tumors. The same is enhanced for patients with GBM. This requires a well-trained neuro-oncology team that manages neurological deterioration, clinical complications, rehabilitation, and psychosocial problems with a multidisciplinary approach.

Epilepsy in the end-of-life phase in patients with high-grade gliomas.

Epilepsy is common in patients with brain tumors. Patients presenting seizures as the first sign of a malignant glioma are at increased risk of recurrent seizures despite treatment with antiepileptic drugs. However, little is known about the incidence of epilepsy in the last stage of disease and in the end-of-life phase of brain tumor patients. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of seizures in the last months of life in a series of patients affected by high-grade gliomas who were assisted at home during the whole course of the disease until death. A total of 157 patients were available for analysis. Of these patients, 58 (36.9 %) presented seizures in the last month before death. The risk of seizures in the end-of-life phase is higher in patients presenting previous history of epilepsy, particularly in patients with late-onset epilepsy. Out of the 58 patients presenting seizures in the last month of life, 86.2 % had previously had seizures and 13.8 % were seizure free. Most patients may encounter swallowing difficulties in taking anticonvulsants orally due to dysphagia and disturbances of consciousness, thus anticonvulsant treatment needs to be modified in advance. Loss of seizure control in the end-of-life phase may influence the quality of life of patients and their caregivers.

Radionecrosis induced by stereotactic radiosurgery of brain metastases: results of surgery and outcome of disease.

Sterotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective and commonly employed therapy for metastatic brain tumors. Among complication of this treatment, symptomatic focal cerebral radionecrosis (RN) occurs in 2-10 % of cases. The large diffusion of combined therapies as SRS followed by WBRT and/or CHT, has significantly amplified the number of patients who potentially might be affected by this pathology and neurosurgeons are increasingly called to treat suspected area of RN. Results of surgery of RN in patients with brain metastases are rarely reported in literature, a standardization of diagnostic work-up to correctly identify RN is still lacking and the timing and indications in favour of surgical therapy over medical treatments are not clear as well. In this retrospective study, we review current concept related to RN and analyze the outcome of surgical treatment in a series of 15 patients previously submitted to SRS for brain metastases and affected by suspected radionecrotic lesions. After surgery, all patients except one neurologically improved. No intra-operative complications occurred. Brain edema improved in all patients allowing a reduction or even suspension of corticosteroid therapy. Pure RN was histologically determined in 7 cases; RN and tumor recurrence in the other 8. Overall median survival was 19 months. An aggressive surgical attitude may be advisable in symptomatic patients with suspected cerebral RN, to have histologic confirmation of the lesion, to obtain a long-lasting relief from the mass effect and brain edema and to improve the overall quality of life, sparing a prolonged corticosteroid therapy.

Effect of pregabalin add-on treatment on seizure control, quality of life, and anxiety in patients with brain tumour-related epilepsy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: An open pilot study to evaluate the effect of pregabalin (PGB) as add-on therapy on seizure control, quality of life, and anxiety in patients with brain tumour-related epilepsy (BTRE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 25 consecutive patients with BTRE and uncontrolled seizures. At baseline and during follow-up, patients underwent a complete physical and neurological examination and were evaluated using the QOLIE 31P (V2), EORTC QLQ C30, Adverse Events Profile, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). At baseline, a seizure diary was given. RESULTS: During follow-up, 17 patients underwent chemotherapy, none underwent radiotherapy, 9 had disease progression, and 3 died. Mean duration of follow-up was 4.1 months. Mean PGB dosage was 279 mg/day. At baseline, mean weekly seizure frequency was 5.3 (±10) and at last available follow-up visit was 2.8±5. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.016). The responder rate was 76%. Ten patients dropped out; 4 as a result of seizure worsening, 1 as a result of unchanged seizure frequency, 3 as a result of a lack of compliance, and 2 as a result of side effects. Based on the QOLIE-31-P, a significant improvement of the subscale "seizure worry" (p=0.004) and a significant decrease in distress scores related to AEDs and social life (p=0.009 and p=0.008, respectively) were observed. A significant decrease in HAM-A score (p=0.002) was documented. CONCLUSIONS; These data indicate that PGB may represent a valid alternative as add-on treatment in this patient population, based on its efficacy on seizure control and anxiety.

Supraorbital keyhole approach for removal of midline anterior cranial fossa meningiomas: a series of 20 consecutive cases.

The paper describes a retrospective study of a consecutive series of 20 midline anterior cranial fossa meningiomas (five of the olfactory groove, 14 of the tuberculum sellae, and one clinoidal), which were operated on via a supraorbital keyhole approach between 2002 and 2008. The series includes three males and 17 females (mean age 57 years, mean size of the tumors 3.5 × 3 cm, and mean follow-up 48 months). Gross total excision was achieved in 18 cases and subtotal resection in two. Out of 14 patients with visual deficits, nine patients improved, one remained stable, and three deteriorated. Two patients presented a recurrence 3 years after surgery. One peri-operative death was recorded. The subgroup of patients with tuberculum sellae meningiomas was analyzed in details. A meta-analysis of the major series of such meningiomas in the last 20 years has been performed in order to compare results of different surgical techniques. With regard to primary outcomes of these tumors, gross total removal, restoration of visual function, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence rates, the supraorbital approach, for selected cases, seems to offer valuable results, comparable with those reported in conventional and endoscopic approaches and with very low surgical aggressiveness. However, statistical data available from the literature, particularly on visual function, are still too limited to draw definitive conclusions. The best surgical option for the individual patient cannot yet be standardized and should be chosen on the basis of tumor anatomy, pre-operative clinical symptoms, and surgeon's experience.

Kyphoplasty with purified silicone VK100 (Elastoplasty) to treat spinal lytic lesions in cancer patients: A retrospective evaluation of 41 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Balloon Kyphoplasty (BKP) for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in cancer patients is more challenging than for osteoporotic ones. Cord compressions are frequent and the incidence of complications ten-fold greater. Polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) is the gold standard material for BKP but has disadvantages: exothermic reaction, short working time, rapid solidification, absence of osteoconduction. VK100 is a mixture of Dimethyl Methylvinyl siloxane and Barium Sulphate. It is elastic, adhesive to bone, leaves 30 min before solidification without exothermic reaction, and shows a stiffness close to the intact vertebrae. The surgical procedure, called elastoplasty, is similar to a BKP. Clinical results obtained with this new silicone in pathological VCFs have been investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 41 cancer patients with symptomatic VCFs (70 vertebral bodies), underwent percutaneous and open elastoplasties. Post-operative leakages, pulmonary embolism (PE) and adjacent fractures were carefully evaluated with neuroimaging. KPS, VAS and Dennis Pain Score were calculated pre- post-operatively and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean volume of silicone inserted in each vertebra was 3.8 cc. Complications included seven leakages (17%), two asymptomatic PE (4.3%) and 3 post-operative adjacent fractures (7.3%). Median follow-up was 29 months. A significant improvement was observed in KPS, VAS and Dennis Pain Score (p < .0001). The 1-yr survival rate was 76.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Elastoplasty appears a safe and effective palliative treatment of VCFs in oncologic patients. Useful qualities of VK100 are the lack of exothermic reaction and the wider working window. The influence of biomechanical properties of silicone on reduction of adjacent level fractures requires further investigations.

Unilateral Laminectomy Approach for the Removal of Spinal Meningiomas and Schwannomas: Impact on Pain, Spinal Stability, and Neurologic Results.

BACKGROUND: Spinal intradural tumors are usually removed with laminectomy/laminotomy with a midline dural incision. Pain, discomfort, postoperative kyphosis, and instability may be minimized with unilateral microsurgery. METHODS: Seventy patients with schwannoma (73 tumors) and 27 patients with meningioma (29 tumors) were operated on with unilateral hemilaminectomy (June 2000 to March 2014). Surgery was generally kept to 1 or 2 levels, removing all the craniocaudal ligamentum flavum. Careful radioscopic identification is mandatory; in thoracolumbar schwannomas, the tumor may be mobile; in the prone position, it may move cranially than appears on magnetic resonance imaging. The dura was opened paramedially, and the tumor was dissected and removed either en bloc or piecemeal after ultrasonic debulking. Neurophysiologic monitoring was performed. The tumor was approached tangentially with no cord rotation or minimal manipulation. Average duration of surgery was 160 minutes (100-320 minutes). Removal was total in 72 of 73 schwannomas; Simpson grade was 1 in 10 meningiomas and 2 in 19. RESULTS: Patients with no complications were discharged on day 5-7. Ten patients had orthostatic headaches; 2 had pseudomeningocele that required reoperation. Pain improvement (Dennis Scale) was significant either at discharge or at follow-up (P < 0.0001 schwannomas, P < 0.001 meningiomas). Neurologic results (McCormick Scale, Karnofsky Performance Score) were excellent/good: of 39 patients with preoperative neurologic impairment, 19 recovered completely, 17 had minor spasticity, and 3 had moderate spasticity but autonomous ambulation. Sphincters recovered in 5 of 10 patients At follow-up, average Karnofsky Performance Score improved from 60 to 90 (P < 0.0001) and the McCormick score decreased from 121 to 55 (P < 0.0001). No spinal instability was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic and oncologic results were good and postoperative pain and discomfort were reduced. Stability was preserved with a unilateral technique. No bracing was necessary, permitting early rehabilitation.

Spine Surgery in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pathologic or iatrogenic symptomatic spinal lesions are common in metastatic breast cancer. Given the longer duration of overall survival provided by modern oncologic therapies, a prompt and effective treatment of such lesions may have a significant impact on patient's quality of life, improving pain and preventing deterioration of neurologic functions. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on patients with breast cancer operated to the spine between 2005 and 2013. The series includes 41 patients and 57 vertebral levels treated (4 cervical, 35 dorsal, and 18 lumbar). There were 28 patients who received palliative surgery and 13 who received excisional surgery, according to their clinical conditions, Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score, and Tokuhashi scores. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients, 38 presented with a median survival of 50 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 39-61), still preserving a Karnofsky Performance Status Scale score ≥60 and a retained ability to ambulate independently. The median overall survival after the first spine surgery was also 50 months (95% CI, 35-65), suggesting that in this cohort of patients, a reasonable quality of life was preserved almost to the end of their clinical history. In patients treated with palliative surgery, the median survival was 37 months (95% CI, 26-48). In those treated with complex surgery, it was 57 months (95% CI, 41-73; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Major excisional surgery, albeit associated with an increased length of hospital stay, allowed in our series a prolonged survival compared with less aggressive types of surgery. However, percutaneous or open balloon kyphoplasty techniques have expanded indications for palliative surgery and even patients with lower Tokuhashi scores may benefit from rapid and sustained pain relief, preservation of neurologic function, and early mobilization.

Epigenetic silencing of miR-145-5p contributes to brain metastasis.

Brain metastasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of lung cancer patients. We assessed whether aberrant expression of specific microRNAs could contribute to brain metastasis. Comparison of primary lung tumors and their matched metastatic brain disseminations identified shared patterns of several microRNAs, including common down-regulation of miR-145-5p. Down-regulation was attributed to methylation of miR-145's promoter and affiliated elevation of several protein targets, such as EGFR, OCT-4, MUC-1, c-MYC and, interestingly, tumor protein D52 (TPD52). In line with these observations, restored expression of miR-145-5p and selective depletion of individual targets markedly reduced in vitro and in vivo cancer cell migration. In aggregate, our results attribute to miR-145-5p and its direct targets pivotal roles in malignancy progression and in metastasis.

Quality-of-life assessment in patients who had been surgically treated for cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma in childhood.

OBJECT: After radical surgery for childhood cerebellar astrocytomas, patients are considered to be cured. Long-term follow up demonstrates that these patients survive, with most of them leading a normal life. The study reported here was aimed at assessing the quality of life (QOL) of these adults, which is defined as a person's sense of well-being, as derived from his or her current experience of life as a whole. METHODS: Twenty patients who had undergone surgery between 1970 and 1985 were enrolled in the study. In four patients ventriculoperitoneal shunts were in place; two of these patients had required more than six shunt revisions. At present, all patients have clear neuroimaging studies and their Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores are as follows: 70 in three, 80 in seven, 90 in six, and 100 in four. A QOL questionnaire was administered to the patients and to a control group consisting of 20 healthy volunteers of matching age and sex. The chi-square test was applied to compare patients and controls. Traditional questions on the level of education, work, whether the patients have their own families, and whether they possessed a driver's license were asked at the end of the questionnaire. In all the dimensions assessed except one (sex life), the difference between patients and control volunteers was significant, socializing and adolescence being the most striking ones. This was also true when the three patients with the lowest KPS scores and the worst QOL results were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: By traditional standards, these patients appear to fare quite well. Nevertheless, their self-reported life experience is unsatisfying when compared with the control group. The authors conclude that psychosocial factors are critical to complete recovery and the QOL of children who undergo successful operations for benign cerebellar astrocytoma.

Home care for brain tumor patients.

BACKGROUND: Brain tumor patients are quite different from other populations of cancer patients due to the complexity of supportive care needs, the trajectory of disease, the very short life expectancy, and resulting need for a specific palliative approach. METHODS: A pilot program of comprehensive palliative care for brain tumor patients was started in the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute of Rome in October 2000, supported by the Lazio Regional Health System. The aim of this model of assistance was to meet patient's needs for care in all stages of disease, support the families, and reduce the rehospitalization rate. The efficacy of the model of care was evaluated analyzing the place of death, caregiver satisfaction, rehospitalization rate, and the impact on costs to the health system. RESULTS: From October 2000 to December 2012, 848 patients affected by brain tumor were enrolled in a comprehensive program of neuro-oncological home care. Out of 529 patients who died, 323 (61%) were assisted at home until death, 117 (22.2%) died in hospital, and 89 (16.8%) died in hospice. A cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in hospital readmission rates in the last 2 months of life compared with the control group (16.7% vs 38%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings concerning death at home, rehospitalization rate, quality of life, and satisfaction of patients and their relatives with the care received suggest that a neuro-oncologic palliative home-care program has a positive impact on the quality of care for brain tumor patients, particularly at the end of life.

Perfusion Computed Tomography (PCT) adopting different perfusion metrics: recurrence of brain metastasis or radiation necrosis?

OBJECTIVE: Different perfusion metrics were investigated to determine the accuracy of Perfusion CT (PCT) in differentiating recurrence of brain metastases from radiation necrosis in patients who previously underwent stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients previously treated with SRT underwent PCT examination of the brain. Normalized Cerebral Blood Volume (nCBV) values within the region of interest (ROI) were calculated. Fractional volumes at nCBV values between 1.0 and 2.25, defined as V(1.0)-V(2.25), were derived as alternative metrics and compared to the conventional method based on the mean CBV value within the lesion (nCBV(mean)). The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the two patient's groups with recurrence and radiation necrosis with respect to the different nCBV metrics. Predictive powers and optimal thresholds for both the nCBV(mean) and the V(1.0)-V(2.25) were evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves. The gold standard was represented either by the histopathological examination or the Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging follow-up longer than six months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The differences between the patient's group with recurrence and that with radiation necrosis resulted statistically significant for all the metrics, showing the lowest p-value for V(1.75) and V(2). The metrics based on the fractional volumes were found to show higher predictive powers, with the highest value of 0.96 for V(2.0). Quantitative analysis of the CBV map deriving different metrics may potentially improve the diagnostic accuracy of PCT in differentiating brain metastasis recurrence from radiation necrosis.

Quality of care and rehospitalization rate in the last stage of disease in brain tumor patients assisted at home: a cost effectiveness study.

UNLABELLED: Despite aggressive multimodality treatment the prognosis of patients with primary brain tumors (BT) remains poor. At present, there are no data about the role of palliative home-care services and their impact on quality of care. We report the results of a pilot project of palliative home care for BT patients started in 2000 in the National Cancer Institute Regina Elena of Rome. We report also the result of a cost/effectiveness analysis utilizing administrative data on re-hospitalization rate in the last two months of life. METHODS: Since October 2000 until December 2009, 572 patients have been followed by our home care staff. Among 394 patients who died, 276 (70%) were followed at home until death. A cost/effectiveness analysis was carried out evaluating the rehospitalization rate in the last 2 months of life in a subgroup of patients (group 1 assisted at home, 72 patients; group 2 not assisted at home, 71). The number of hospital readmission in the last 2 months of life, and length and cost of hospitalization were retrospectively analyzed from hospital discharge records. RESULTS: Hospitalization rate of group 1 (16.7%) was lower than group 2 (38%) (95% CI: 0.18-0.65, p = 0.001). Costs of hospitalization also differed substantially: 517 Euros (95% CI: 512-522) in group 1 vs 24, 076 Euros (95%: 24,040-24,112 Euros) in group 2. CONCLUSION: Home-care may represent an alternative to in-hospital care for the management of brain tumor patients and may improve the end-of-life quality of care.

Phase II study of fixed dose rate gemcitabine as radiosensitizer for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

PURPOSE: In order to evaluate the activity of gemcitabine as radiosensitizer for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a prospective single-center phase II study was conducted. METHODS: Eligible patients were required to have histologically proven GBM with evaluable and/or measurable disease after surgery. They were treated by standard cranial irradiation plus concomitant fixed dose rate gemcitabine given intravenously at 175 mg/m(2) weekly for 6 weeks. After chemo-radiotherapy, irrespective of tumor response, patients went on to receive oral temozolomide at 150-200 mg/m(2) for 5 days every 28 days. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were enrolled. Median age was 57 years (range 43-72) and median Karnofsky performance status was 90 (range 70-100). Seventeen patients had received subtotal resection of the tumor, while six patients had biopsied-only tumors. Four patients responded to treatment (17.5%) with additional 14 (61%) experiencing stable disease for an overall disease control rate of 78.5%. Median progression-free and overall survival were 6.8 and 10.1 months, respectively. The concomitant radiotherapy-gemcitabine combination was well tolerated and severe adverse events were rare, consisting of grade 3 neutropenia and hypertransaminasemia in two cases each. Twenty patients were assessable for methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, 11 of which were found methylated. In the methylated and unmethylated cohorts, disease control was obtained in 10/11 patients (91%) and 7/9 patients (77.5%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant radiotherapy-gemcitabine is active and well tolerated in newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Activity is observed both in tumors with methylated and unmethylated MGMT promoter.

End of life issues in brain tumor patients.

Despite aggressive antitumor treatment, the prognosis of brain tumor (BT) patients remains poor. In the last stage of disease, BT patients present severe symptoms due to the growing tumor or to treatment side-effects, which require adequate palliative management and supportive therapy. However, studies specifically addressing palliative care and end-of-life (EoL) issues in BT patients are lacking. This study explores symptoms experienced by BT patients in the last weeks of disease and EoL issues observed in a population of brain tumor patients followed at home until death by a neuro-oncological home care palliative unit set up in our Institution in 2000. From October 2000 to December 2005, 324 patients affected by brain tumor and discharged from our Institution were enrolled in a comprehensive program of neuro-oncological home care supported by the Regional Health System. Out of 324 patients enrolled in the home care program, 260 patients died of which 169 (65%) were assisted at home until the end of life and have been included in this study. Clinical symptoms, palliative treatments and EoL treatment decisions were collected from home clinical records. Among the 169 patients assisted at home until death, the most frequent symptoms observed in the last four weeks of life were: epilepsy 30%, headache 36%, drowsiness 85%, dysphagia 85%, death rattle 12%, agitation and delirium 15%. Palliative management of brain tumor patients requires a multidisciplinary approach performed by a well trained neuro-oncology team. Development of home care models of assistance may represent an alternative to in-hospital care for the management of patients dying of brain tumor and may improve the quality of end-of-life care.

The role side effects play in the choice of antiepileptic therapy in brain tumor-related epilepsy: a comparative study on traditional antiepileptic drugs versus oxcarbazepine.

BACKGROUND: Seizure control doesn't represent the only challenging goal in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy. Side effects have often taken precedence for patients' quality of life. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective study on patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy: 35 who had assumed oxcarbazepine monotherapy and 35 patients who had undergone treatment with traditional antiepileptic drugs. Primary variable of efficacy was the mean seizure frequency per month and safety variables were the drop-out for side effects and total incidence of side effects. We applied the Propensity Score technique to minimize selection bias. RESULTS: Our results showed a similar efficacy of oxcarbazepine and traditional antiepileptic drugs over time, but the difference in safety and tolerability between the two groups was significant: traditional AEDs caused more side effects, both serious and non serious. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of taking into consideration not only seizure control but also the appearance of side effects when choosing antiepileptic drugs in this patients population.