Randomized Trial of Postoperative Radiation Therapy After Wide Excision of Neurotropic Melanoma of the Head and Neck (RTN2 Trial 01.09).

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous neurotropic melanoma (NM) of the head and neck (H&N) is prone to local relapse, possibly due to difficulties widely excising the tumor. This trial assessed radiation therapy (RT) to the primary site after local excision. METHODS: Participants from 15 international centers were randomized to observation or RT. The participants were required to have microscopically negative excision margins 5 mm wide or wider and no evidence of disease elsewhere. The primary outcome was time to local relapse. The secondary outcomes included time to any recurrence, overall survival (OS), and toxicity. RESULTS: The trial ceased prematurely due to slow recruitment and the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2009-2020, 50 participants were randomized: 23 to observation and 27 to RT. The most common NM subsites were scalp (32%), midface (22%), and lip (20%). The median depth of invasion was 5 mm, and desmoplasia observed in 69%. The median duration from randomization to last contact was 4.8 years. Four participants (8%) experienced local relapse as a first recurrence during the study period: 3 in the observation arm and 1 in the RT arm (hazard ratio [HR] 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-2.76; p = 0.279). No statistically significant difference in time to any relapse or OS was observed. More than 6 months after randomization, grade 3 or greater toxicity was experienced by 10% of the participants in the observation arm and 12.5% of the participants in the RT arm of the study. CONCLUSION: Due to low accrual, the role of adjuvant RT for cutaneous NM of the H&N excised with microscopically negative margins 5 mm wide or wider remains undefined. Its routine use cannot be recommended. Local relapse might be less common than previously anticipated based on retrospective reports.

Cost-utility analysis of a telehealth psychological support intervention for people with primary brain tumor: Telehealth Making Sense of brain tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To undertake an economic evaluation of a telehealth psychological support intervention for patients with primary brain tumor (PBT). METHODS: A within-trial cost-utility analysis over 6 months was performed comparing a tailored telehealth-psychological support intervention with standard care (SC) in a randomized control trial. Data were sourced from the Telehealth Making Sense of Brain Tumor (Tele-MAST) trial survey data, project records, and administrative healthcare claims. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated based on the EuroQol-5D-5L. Non-parametric bootstrapping with 2000 iterations was used to determine sampling uncertainty. Multiple imputation was used for handling missing data. RESULTS: The Tele-MAST trial included 82 participants and was conducted in Queensland, Australia during 2018-2021. When all healthcare claims were included, the incremental cost savings from Tele-MAST were -AU$4,327 (95% CI: -$8637, -$18) while incremental QALY gains were small at 0.03 (95% CI: -0.02, 0.08). The likelihood of Tele-MAST being cost-effective versus SC was 87% at a willingness-to-pay threshold of AU$50,000 per QALY gain. When psychological-related healthcare costs were included only, the incremental cost per QALY gain was AU$10,685 (95% CI: dominant, $24,566) and net monetary benefits were AU$534 (95% CI: $466, $602) with a 65% likelihood of the intervention being cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this small randomized controlled trial, the Tele-MAST intervention is a cost-effective intervention for improving the quality of life of people with PBT in Australia. Patients receiving the intervention incurred significantly lower overall healthcare costs than patients in SC. There was no significant difference in costs incurred for psychological health services.

'It was never about me': A qualitative inquiry into the experiences of psychological support and perceived support needs of family caregivers of people with high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND: Family caregivers of people with high-grade glioma often report high rates of psychological distress, which has been attributed to the unique aspects of the disease and onerous care demands. Clinical practice guidelines advocate for caregiver support from diagnosis through to end-of-life and bereavement. Yet, research has identified that caregivers' support needs are often overlooked. AIM: To explore caregivers' experiences of psychological support and perceptions of what constitutes optimal psychological support for caregivers in the context of high-grade glioma. DESIGN: Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen current (n = 11) and bereaved (n = 7) family caregivers (73% female, aged 33-69 years) of adults with high-grade glioma participated. Interviews explored caregivers' perceptions of psychological support. RESULTS: Two major themes were generated. The first theme, 'It was never about me', reflected caregivers prioritise for people with high-grade glioma to be well supported despite experiencing their own unmet psychological support needs. The second theme, 'Continuous, coordinated and personalised support', highlighted the importance of timely and tailored interventions addressing caregivers' practical, educational and emotional support needs throughout the illness journey. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers commonly prioritise the support needs of people with high-grade gliomas; yet, have their own distinct needs that vary throughout the illness. Primary care providers have a potential role in facilitating timely access to palliative care, practical support and brain tumour-specific psychological support to meet caregivers' diverse needs across the care continuum in the context of high-grade glioma.

Individuals' perceptions of health and well-being in the context of stereotactic radiosurgery for benign brain tumour: A longitudinal qualitative investigation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Treatment-related outcomes after Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery (GKSRS) for benign brain tumour are well-established; yet patient reported outcomes have been largely overlooked. This study explored individuals' perspectives of their health and well-being prior to and following GKSRS. METHOD: Twenty adults (65% female) aged 24-71 years with benign brain tumour were recruited from a major metropolitan hospital and assessed approximately one week prior to, two weeks after, and at three months following GKSRS. They completed telephone-based interviews focusing on general health, symptoms, and well-being. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes characterized individuals' perceptions of their health and well-being. "Understanding my Illness and Treatment" reflected individuals' efforts to make sense of their illness and symptoms to reduce ambiguity and increase sense of control. "Experiencing Gamma Knife" related to expectations of the procedure, outcomes, daily impacts, and emotional reactions. "Adjusting one's Mindset and Coping" characterised how peoples' approaches to coping with their illness were altered over time. CONCLUSIONS: Coping and adjustment is highly individualistic in the context of GKSRS. Over time, most individuals were able to make sense of their illness, adjust their mindset and utilize behavioural strategies and support systems to cope with the long-term effects.

Prevalence and management of sleep disturbance in adults with primary brain tumours and their caregivers: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aims of this systematic review were to (1) examine the prevalence, severity, manifestations, and clinical associations/risk factors of sleep disturbance in primary brain tumour (PBT) survivors and their caregivers; and (2) determine whether there are any sleep-focused interventons reported in the literature pertaining to people affected by PBT. METHODS: This systematic review was registered with the international register for systematic reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022299332). PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsychINFO, and CINAHL were electronically searched for relevant articles reporting sleep disturbance and/or interventions for managing sleep disturbance published between September 2015 and May 2022. The search strategy included terms focusing on sleep disturbance, primary brain tumours, caregivers of PBT survivors, and interventions. Two reviewers conducted the quality appraisal (JBI Critical Appraisal Tools) independently, with results compared upon completion. RESULTS: 34 manuscripts were eligible for inclusion. Sleep disturbance was highly prevalent in PBT survivors with associations between sleep disturbance and some treatments (e.g., surgical resection, radiotherapy, corticosteroid use), as well as other prevalent symptoms (e.g., fatigue, drowsiness, stress, pain). While the current review was unable to find any sleep-targeted interventions, preliminary evidence suggests physical activity may elicit beneficial change on subjectively reported sleep disturbance in PBT survivors. Only one manuscript that discussed caregivers sleep disturbance was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbance is a prevalent symptom experienced by PBT survivors, yet there is a distinct lack of sleep-focused interventions in this population. This includes a need for future research to include caregivers, with only one study identified. Future research exploring interventions directly focused on the management of sleep disturbance in the context of PBT is warranted.

Access to psychosocial support for people with brain tumor and family members: Healthcare professional perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: Ongoing access to psychosocial support is important to maintain the well-being of people with brain tumor (PwBT) and their families; yet, there is limited knowledge of psychosocial care access. This qualitative study aimed to develop an understanding of psychosocial support pathways specific to PwBT from the perspectives of Australian healthcare professionals. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 healthcare professionals working in hospital and community services supporting PwBT and their family members. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: The three major themes identified were: (1) Challenges in fitting people into the care system within existing pathways; (2) Benefits of longer-term care coordination and interdisciplinary connections; and (3) Brain tumor affects the whole family. Despite established psychosocial care pathways, service access varied and lacked continuity for individuals with lower-grade glioma and benign tumors across the illness trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals recognize the need for improved access to care coordination and multidisciplinary psychosocial care tailored to the varying needs of PwBT and their families.

Evaluation of the telehealth making sense of brain tumor psychological support intervention for people with primary brain tumor and their caregivers: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This pragmatic randomized control trial aimed to evaluate clinical efficacy of the Making Sense of Brain Tumour program delivered via videoconferencing (Tele-MAST) for improving mental health and quality of life (QoL) relative to standard care in individuals with primary brain tumor (PBT). METHOD: Adults with PBT experiencing at least mild distress (Distress Thermometer ≥4) and caregivers were randomly allocated to the 10-session Tele-MAST program or standard care. Mental health and QoL were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention (primary endpoint), and 6-weeks and 6-months follow-up. The primary outcome was clinician-rated depressive symptoms on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: 82 participants with PBT (34% benign, 20% lower-grade glioma, 46% high-grade glioma) and 36 caregivers were recruited (2018-2021). Controlling for baseline functioning, Tele-MAST participants with PBT had lower depressive symptoms at post-intervention (95% CI: 10.2-14.6, vs. 15.2-19.6, p = 0.002) and 6-weeks post-intervention (95% CI: 11.5-15.8 vs. 15.6-19.9, p = 0.010) than standard care, and were almost 4 times more likely to experience clinically reduced depression (OR, 3.89; 95% CI: 1.5-9.9). Tele-MAST participants with PBT also reported significantly better global QoL, emotional QoL and lower anxiety at post-intervention and 6-weeks post-intervention than standard care. There were no significant intervention effects for caregivers. At 6-months follow-up participants with PBT who received Tele-MAST reported significantly better mental health and QoL relative to pre-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Tele-MAST was found to be more effective for reducing depressive symptoms at post-intervention than standard care for people with PBT but not caregivers. Tailored and extended psychological support may be beneficial for people with PBT.

"Hey, I'm still here!": Maintaining, managing and rebuilding social connections after brain tumour.

It is well recognized that social networks can buffer the adverse effects of chronic illness on psychological wellbeing. However, the functional impairments associated with brain tumour often affect social participation, which may reduce people's capacity to draw upon their social capital for support. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand how brain tumour influences people's ability to manage, maintain, and rebuild their social networks. Participants were 20 individuals (65% female) aged 22-69 years with diverse types of primary brain tumour (50% high grade or malignant) who were on average 35 months post-diagnosis. Two semi-structured interviews, conducted three months apart, comprised a Social Identity Mapping exercise and questions exploring changes in social groups since diagnosis. Two overarching and interrelated themes emerged: engaging and connecting and then versus now. An interplay of barriers, facilitators and strategies influenced people's ability to engage and connect with their social groups, which in turn influenced whether they experienced stability; maintenance and expansion; loss and rebuilding; or loss and shrinkage of their social networks over time. These novel findings highlight the need to develop interventions that specifically focus on enhancing individuals' abilities to maintain or rebuild their social networks.

Antibody-Based Formats to Target Glioblastoma: Overcoming Barriers to Protein Drug Delivery.

Glioblastoma (GB) is recognized as the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer. Despite advances in treatment strategies that include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the median survival time (∼15 months) of patients with GB has not significantly improved. The poor prognosis of GB is also associated with a very high chance of tumor recurrence (∼90%), and current treatment measures have failed to address the complications associated with this disease. However, targeted therapies enabled through antibody engineering have shown promise in countering GB when used in combination with conventional approaches. Here, we discuss the challenges in conventional as well as future GB therapeutics and highlight some of the known advantages of using targeted biologics to overcome these impediments. We also review a broad range of potential alternative routes that could be used clinically to administer anti-GB biologics to the brain through evasion of its natural barriers.

Moderately hypofractionated versus conventionally fractionated radiation therapy with temozolomide for young and fit patients with glioblastoma: an institutional experience and meta-analysis of literature.

PURPOSE: Shorter hypofractionated radiation therapy (HF-RT) schedules may have radiobiological, patient convenience and healthcare resource advantages over conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CF-RT) in glioblastoma (GBM). We report outcomes of young, fit GBM patients treated with HF-RT and CF-RT during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a meta-analysis of HF-RT literature in this patient subgroup. METHODS: Hospital records of patients with IDH-wildtype GBM treated with HF-RT (50 Gy/20 fractions) and CF-RT (60 Gy/30 fractions) between January 2020 and September 2021 were reviewed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariable analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. A systematic search and meta-analysis of studies from January 2000 to January 2022 was performed. RESULTS: 41 patients were treated (HF-RT:15, CF-RT:26). For both HF-RT and CF-RT groups, median age was 58 years and 80-90% were ECOG 0-1. There were more methylated tumours in the HF-RT group. All patients received concurrent/adjuvant temozolomide. At 19.2 months median follow-up, median OS was 19.8 months and not-reached for HF-RT and CF-RT (p = 0.5), and median PFS was 7.7 and 5.8 months, respectively (p = 0.8). HF-RT or CF-RT did not influence OS/PFS on univariable analysis. Grade 3 radionecrosis rate was 6.7% and 7.7%, respectively. 15 of 1135 studies screened from a systematic search were eligible for meta-analysis. For studies involving temozolomide, pooled median OS and PFS with HF-RT were 17.5 and 9.9 months (927 and 862 patients). Studies using shortened HF-RT schedules reported 0-2% Grade 3 radionecrosis rates. CONCLUSION: HF-RT may offer equivalent outcomes and reduce treatment burden compared to CF-RT in young, fit GBM patients.

Scoping the psychological support practices of Australian health professionals working with people with primary brain tumor and their families.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to scope the psychological support practices of Australian health professionals providing supportive care to adults with primary brain tumor. METHOD: Health professionals from multidisciplinary organizations and cancer support services completed an online survey focused on psychological support for people with brain tumor (PwBT) and family members, and perceived barriers or gaps in support provision. RESULTS: 107 professionals, mainly from psychology (45%), nursing (20%), and social work (10%) backgrounds, completed the survey. Scope of practice differed according to discipline, with psychologists and nurses most likely to screen for psychological distress (71%-76%), and psychologists more typically providing at least one psychological support session (78%). Psychologists were more likely to screen for cognitive impairment (31%), whereas nurses and social workers more commonly provided family-based support (62%-73%). Psychological support was more frequently provided in the long-term management phase (78%) than early post-diagnosis/treatment (45%). System-level barriers to accessing psychological support were most frequently identified, which included limited resources and funding, insufficient staff time, lengthy waitlists and costs, poor service coordination, and lack of staff with brain tumor-specific training. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of psychological support for PwBT varies according to discipline, setting and management phase. Further research on different models of psychosocial care is needed to inform strategies to address organizational and policy factors impacting professionals' scope of practice.

Benefits of supportive strategies for carers of people with high-grade glioma: a systematic review : Strategies for addressing the needs of high-grade glioma carers.

PURPOSE: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). METHODS: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3-4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers were included, targeting the carer directly (n = 10), the patient-carer dyad (n = 3), or focused on people with HGG + / - their carers (n = 8). A paucity of high-quality evidence exists for effective and comprehensive support directly addressing outcomes for carers of adults with HGG. Strategies that demonstrated some benefits included those that built carer knowledge or provided emotional support, delivered by health professionals or through peer support. Supportive and early palliative care programmes have potential to reduce unmet carer needs while providing ongoing carer support. CONCLUSION: Strategies incorporating an educational component, emotional support, and a regular needs assessment with corresponding tailored support are most valued by carers. Future practice development research should adopt a value-based approach and exceed evaluation of efficacy outcomes to incorporate evaluation of the experience of patients, carers, and staff, as well as costs.

Feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth platform for delivering the Making Sense of Brain Tumour programme: A mixed-methods pilot study.

ABSTRACTGlioma is a common type of brain tumour that is associated with neurocognitive and psychosocial impairments. This study primarily aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing format of the Making Sense of Brain Tumour (Tele-MAST) programme. Recruited from a multidisciplinary brain tumour clinic, participants were randomly allocated to the 10-session Tele-MAST programme or standard care, with the latter group offered Tele-MAST after re-assessment. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of receiving psychological support via the videoconferencing platform. Measures of mental health and quality of life were administered at pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments. Of the 35 patients deemed eligible for the study, 14 (40% accrual) with high grade (71%) or low grade (29%) glioma participated. They were randomized to the Tele-MAST condition (n = 8) or standard care/waitlist (n = 6). Ten individuals commenced the Tele-MAST programme, of whom eight completed ≥8 sessions. The major themes that depicted their experience of the Tele-MAST programme were ease of access and benefits of remote delivery, tailored support and immediacy, and sense of connection versus disconnection. Most participants (63%) demonstrated clinically reliable improvement at post-intervention. These preliminary findings support the feasibility and acceptability of remote delivery of psychological support and highlight the need for a larger-scale evaluation of the Tele-MAST programme.

Use of telehealth platforms for delivering supportive care to adults with primary brain tumors and their family caregivers: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Telehealth platforms have potential utility for providing remote access to supportive care to people with brain tumour. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of delivering supportive care via telehealth platforms to adults with primary brain tumour and family caregivers. METHODS: A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library was conducted from 1980 to 1st June 2020 to identify eligible studies. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Seventeen articles, reporting on 16 studies, evaluated telephone-based support (5 studies), videoconferencing (3 studies), web-based programs and resources (7 studies) or combined use of videoconferencing and web-based modules (1 study) to deliver supportive care remotely. Caregivers were involved in 31% of interventions. Mean rates of accrual (68%) and adherence (74%) were moderate, whereas acceptability or satisfaction for those completing the interventions was typically high (M satisfied or very satisfied = 81%). Adherence rates were generally higher and clinical gains were more evident for interventions involving real-time interaction as opposed to self-guided interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth delivery of supportive care is feasible and acceptable to a high proportion of individuals with primary brain tumour and their caregivers. It is recommended that future research focuses on implementation outcomes, including factors influencing the uptake and sustainability of telehealth platforms in practice.

Evidence of dose-response following hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy to the cavity after surgery for brain metastases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A retrospective review of consecutive patients between January 2012 and December 2018 receiving hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) to the cavity after resection for brain metastases was performed. METHODS: Treatment was delivered using an appropriately commissioned linear accelerator. The primary outcome was time to radiological or histological confirmation of local recurrence following completion of HSRT. Dose-fractionation regimens were converted to biologically 2 Gy-equivalent doses assuming α/ß = 10 (EQD2[10]). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards modelling was performed to determine hazard ratios (HR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). The Log-rank test was used to determine p values taking statistical significance p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 134 patients and 144 cavities identified. The most common primary histologies were melanoma (n = 49) and lung (n = 32). 116 patients (87%) underwent a gross total resection. Median planning target volume (PTV) was 28 cm3 (range 2.4-149.2). Median EQD2[10] was 38.4 Gy (range 22.3-59.7) and 24 Gy in 3 fractions was the most common regimen. 12 (9%) patients demonstrated local recurrence at median interval 215 days (range 4-594). 7 (5%) patients experienced grade 3 or higher toxicities. In multivariate analysis, EQD2[10] was associated with local failure such that increased equivalent doses improved local control [HR = 0.79 and 95% CI 0.65-0.96, p = 0.0192]. There were no significant associations for primary histology, patient age, volume of residual disease, PTV volume or location. CONCLUSION: This large series demonstrates that HSFRT to the surgical resection cavity for brain metastases has improved local control with increasing dose. Rates of grade 3 or higher toxicity were low overall.

Extent of surrounding edema does not correlate with acute complications after radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases.

AIM: To assess whether extent of surrounding edema correlates with acute adverse clinical outcomes within 3 months after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for melanoma brain metastases (BM). METHODS: Patients with melanoma BM treated with SRS were included in a single center retrospective analysis. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image (MRI) brain was acquired on the day of treatment and used to calculate the volume of the largest lesion (the index BM) and total volume of all BM. Their corresponding volume of surrounding edema was defined based on the fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence. After SRS, MRI was performed every 3 months for at least 2 years if the patient remained well enough to do so. Adverse neurologic events after SRS were defined using common terminology criteria for adverse events (CTCAE) version 5.0. Multivariate regression analyses assessed for associations between BM size and edema at baseline with increasing edema and neurologic adverse events within 3 months after SRS. RESULTS: Mean volume of the index BM reduced from 2.2 to 0.5 cm3 at 3 months after SRS (p = 0.03). Mean volume of edema surrounding the index BM was 6.4 cm3 at baseline, 10.2 cm3 at 3 months and 5.5 cm3 at 6 months. There were 7/43 (16%) patients that experienced an adverse neurological event within 3 months (attributable to any cause) and 4/43 (9%) were associated with an increase in BM edema. On univariate and multivariate analyses, there were no correlations between any baseline factors and volume of edema at 3 months. However, SRS dose delivered and systemic therapy use within 4 weeks of SRS both correlated with a reduction in edema surrounding the index BM. CONCLUSION: A transient increase in mean volume of edema was apparent at 3 months after SRS. However, this resolved by 6 months and did not correlate with adverse events or dexamethasone requirement. Thus, the clinical significance is uncertain.

The importance of staying connected: Mediating and moderating effects of social group memberships on psychological well-being after brain tumor.

OBJECTIVE: Functional impairments can lower psychological well-being after brain tumor. Changes in social groups and confidence in support potentially impact this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social group memberships (SGMs) on the relationship between perceived cognitive and physical impairment and psychological well-being. METHODS: Seventy adults (60% female) with primary brain tumor (46% benign; 18% low grade; 36% high grade) aged 22 to 75 years undertook a brief cognitive test (Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone) then completed self-report measures of cognitive and physical impairment (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy), social groups (Exeter Identity Transition Scale), confidence in social support (Self-Efficacy Scale), depression (depression scale of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale), and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale). The mediating and moderating effects of SGMs were tested using a bootstrapping method and PROCESS macro. RESULTS: Greater perceived cognitive and physical impairments were significantly related to poorer psychological well-being. Mediation analyses indicated significant indirect effects of social group loss for depression and anxiety (P < .05), whereby the relationship between perceived functional impairment and depression and anxiety was partly accounted for by loss of SGMs. Confidence in social groups was a moderator for depression and anxiety (P < .001), such that those perceiving high levels of physical and cognitive impairments who were more confident in their social groups reported lower depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Functional impairment is in part related to higher levels of depression and anxiety through loss of social groups. However, greater confidence in social support can buffer the effects of functional impairment on psychological well-being after brain tumor. Interventions focusing on ways to maintain social participation and supportive relationships may be beneficial.

Evaluation of a telehealth psychological support intervention for people with primary brain tumour and their family members: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of research on interventions that address the specific psychosocial needs of people with brain tumour and their families. This paper describes the protocol for a pragmatic randomised control trial (RCT) evaluating the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Making Sense of Brain Tumour program delivered via telehealth (Tele-MAST) relative to standard care. METHODS: The 148 adults with primary brain tumour will be randomly allocated to the 10-session Tele-MAST videoconferencing program or standard care from a cancer counselling service. The primary outcome is level of depression and secondary outcomes are quality of life, mental health and incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year. The mental health and quality of life of family members will also be assessed. Assessments will be conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention (primary endpoint), 6-weeks post-intervention and 6-months post-intervention. The main analysis will determine whether the Tele-MAST intervention is more effective than standard care at post-intervention, and whether these effects are sustained at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Results will indicate whether the Tele-MAST program is associated with better clinical outcomes and is more cost-effective than existing cancer support services. Such outcomes will contribute to effective and accessible psychosocial care for the brain tumour population.

In response to Fogarty et al. and why adjuvant whole brain radiotherapy is not recommended routinely.

The routine use of adjuvant whole brain radiotherapy (AWBRT) after surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery is now discouraged by a number of international expert panels. Three decades of randomised studies have shown that, although AWBRT improves radiological measures of intracranial disease control, the clinical benefit is unclear and it is also associated with inferior quality of life and neurocognitive function. The number of patients with melanoma in these trials was low, but data suggesting that treatment-related side effects should vary according to histology of the primary malignancy are lacking. For metastatic melanoma, the role of AWBRT to control microscopic disease in the brain is also a less relevant concern because systemic therapies with intracranial activity are now available. Whether AWBRT is useful in select patients deemed at high risk of neurologic death remains undefined.