Engaging carers in neuropsychological rehabilitation for brain cancer survivors: The "I'm aware: Patients And Carers Together" (ImPACT) program.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a common late effect in child and adult brain cancer survivors (BCS). Still, there is a dearth of research aimed at therapeutic interventions and no standard treatment options for most BCS. OBJECTIVE: To describe 1) a novel neuropsychological rehabilitation program for BCS - the "I'm aware: Patients And Carers Together" (ImPACT) program, and 2) two studies that aim to assess the feasibility of the ImPACT program in child and adult BCS, respectively. The program adapts the holistic neuropsychological approach pioneered by Leonard Diller and Yehuda Ben-Yishay to an outpatient setting. METHODS: Two feasibility studies are described: 1) A single-armed study with 15 child BCS (10-17 years) (ImPACT Child); and 2) a randomized waitlist-controlled trial with 26 adult BCS (>17 years) (ImPACT Adult). In both studies, patients will undergo an 8-week program together with a cohabiting carer. Primary outcomes (i.e., cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms), and secondary outcomes (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms, e.g., quality of life, fatigue) will be assessed at four time points: pre-, mid-, and post intervention, and 8 weeks follow-up. Adult waitlist controls will be assessed at equivalent time points and will be included in the intervention group after all study assessments. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at follow-up. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Results will provide feasibility data in support of future larger scale trials. DISCUSSION: The findings could potentially improve the management of cognitive impairment in BCS and transform available services. The program can be delivered in-person or remotely and harnesses existing resources in patients' lives.

Study protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial on the (cost)effectiveness of biopsy combined with same-session MR-guided LITT versus biopsy alone in patients with primary irresectable glioblastoma (EMITT trial).

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary, malignant brain tumour with a 5-year survival of 5%. If possible, a glioblastoma is resected and further treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT), but resection is not feasible in about 30% of cases. Current standard of care in these cases is a biopsy followed by CRT. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) has been suggested as a minimally invasive alternative when surgery is not feasible. However, high-quality evidence directly comparing LITT with standard of care is lacking, precluding any conclusions on (cost-)effectiveness. We therefore propose a multicenter randomized controlled study to assess the (cost-)effectiveness of MR-guided LITT as compared to current standard of care (EMITT trial). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The EMITT trial will be a multicenter pragmatic randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands. Seven Dutch hospitals will participate in this study. In total 238 patients will be randomized with 1:1 allocation to receive either biopsy combined with same-session MR-guided LITT therapy followed by CRT or the current standard of care being biopsy followed by CRT. The primary outcomes will be health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) (non-inferiority) using EORTC QLQ-C30 + BN20 scores at 5 months after randomization and overall survival (superiority). Secondary outcomes comprise cost-effectiveness (healthcare and societal perspective) and HR-QoL of life over an 18-month time horizon, progression free survival, tumour response, disease specific survival, longitudinal effects, effects on adjuvant treatment, ablation percentage and complication rates. DISCUSSION: The EMITT trial will be the first RCT on the effectiveness of LITT in patients with glioblastoma as compared with current standard of care. Together with the Dutch Brain Tumour Patient association, we hypothesize that LITT may improve overall survival without substantially affecting patients' quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05318612).

Neurosurgical Applications of Magnetic Hyperthermia Therapy.

Magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) is a highly localized form of hyperthermia therapy (HT) that has been effective in treating various forms of cancer. Many clinical and preclinical studies have applied MHT to treat aggressive forms of brain cancer and assessed its role as a potential adjuvant to current therapies. Initial results show that MHT has a strong antitumor effect in animal studies and a positive association with overall survival in human glioma patients. Although MHT is a promising therapy with the potential to be incorporated into the future treatment of brain cancer, significant advancement of current MHT technology is required.

Advances in molecular mechanism of berberine in treatment of glioma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Glioma is one of the most common primary intracranial tumors, accounting for 80% of malignant brain tumors. The conventional treatment of glioma is surgical resection followed by temozolomide chemotherapy, but the drug resistance will gradually appear that results in a poor prognosis of the patient. Berberine is an alkaloid extracted from Coptis Rhizoma, which has a wide range of pharmacological activities. It exerts its pharmacological effects on glioma such as inhibiting tumor growth through controlling different molecular and cellular pathways. In this article, the application of berberine in the treatment of glioma and the research progress of specific molecular mechanism are reviewed.

Religious/spiritual concerns of patients with brain cancer and their caregivers.

Research conducted over the last 20 years supports that many patients with cancer engage religion and spirituality (R/S) when coping with their illness. Research on patients with brain cancer is more minimal but mirrors the same findings. This article provides a brief overview of the research about R/S and coping among cancer patients, then summarizes the research about R/S among patients with brain cancer and their caregivers. The following topics are discussed: (I) the importance of R/S to patients with brain cancer and their caregivers, (II) specific R/S needs experienced by patients with brain cancer and their caregivers over the cancer continuum, (III) R/S coping mechanisms engaged by brain cancer patients and their caregivers, and (IV) the healthcare systems' engagement of R/S needs within the healthcare setting. This is followed by professional chaplains' descriptions of their own experience with R/S concerns of patients with brain cancer and their caregivers, and the spiritual care they have offered them. Hear My Voice, a new spiritual life review intervention, is described. Research to deepen understanding of the R/S concerns of patients with brain cancer and their loved ones, and spiritual care interventions offered to them is recommended.

Tumor Treating Fields - Behind and Beyond Inhibiting the Cancer Cell Cycle.

The unmet need for a safe treatment that significantly improves the overall survival, as well as the quality of life of patients with brain tumors, has urged researchers to work out new treatment modalities. About 15 years ago, it was shown that alternating electric fields significantly impair the growth of cancer cells. Recently, this potentially revolutionary approach called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFs) has been FDA-approved for the treatment of glioblastoma as well as mesothelioma. However, despite the promising reports on the potential of TTFs, the precise knowledge of the mechanisms of action is still lacking. The purpose of this review is, thus, to present the current state of research and to highlight the variety of ultrastructural effects of TTFs. Moreover, the aim is to bring to the foreground less discussed mechanisms of action of TTFs, which might develop into novel therapeutic approaches. Therefore, a systematic literature search in Ovid Medline and Embase was performed on clinical and preclinical data concerning TTFs. The alternating electric fields force cellular components to aberrant dynamics, among which the most evident is the inhibition of the mitotic spindle assembly leading to impaired cancer cell division and cell death. However, a variety of other microstructural events induced by TTFs, such as inhibition of DNA repair and cell migration, as well as an enhancement of anti- tumor immune response and membrane permeability, have been reported. In addition, apart from a suggested interference with angiogenesis, no TTF-induced effects on normal cells have been described so far.

Longterm Antiepileptic Therapy and Bone Health: Implications for Patients with Brain Tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) and lamotrigine (LTG) treatment on bone metabolism in epileptic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on normal controls (N=30) and 100 patients with symptomatic epilepsy caused by a primary brain tumor, divided into two groups according to the treatment: LTG monotherapy group (N=50) and CBZ monotherapy group (N=50). For each participant serum levels of 25-OHD and osteocalcin (OCLN) were measured, and bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry method. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of vitamin D in serum between the CBZ and LTG groups (Vitamin D CBZ 17.03±12.86 vs. Vitamin D LTG 17.97±9.15; F=0.171, P=0.680). There was no statistically significant difference in the average values of OCLN between the CBZ and LTG groups (OCLN CBZ 26.06±10.87 vs. OCLN LTG 27.87±28.45; F=0.171, P=0.674). The BMD value was lower in both groups using antiepileptic agents compared to the controls, but when comparing the CBZ group to the LTG group, a statistically significant difference was only observed for the Z score (T-score CBZ: 0.08± 1.38 vs. T-score LTG: 0.37± 1.02; F=1.495, P=0.224; Z score CBZ: -0.05±1.17 vs. Z. score CBZ: 0.38±0.96; F=4.069, P=0.046) (Table 3). CONCLUSION: The choice of antiepileptic agents for treating seizures in patients with brain tumors should be carefully evaluated in relation to their impact on bone health. These patients could benefit from supplementation and regular measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover and BMD.

Interventions for cognitive problems in adults with brain cancer: A narrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Many patients with brain cancer experience cognitive problems. In this narrative review, we comprehensively evaluated empirical studies on various intervention approaches for cognitive problems in these patients. METHODS: Intervention studies that reported effects on cognitive functioning (either objectively tested or subjectively reported) in adult patients with primary and/or secondary brain tumours were identified through online searches in PubMed (MEDLINE) and Web of Science up to 13 March 2019. RESULTS: Of the 364 identified records, 10 pharmacological (including five randomised placebo-controlled trials), 10 cognitive rehabilitation (including five [pilot] RCTs) and two multiple-group exercise studies matched the inclusion criteria. Seventeen of 22 studies had final sample sizes smaller than 40. Several cognitive rehabilitation studies and some pharmacological approaches (donepezil and memantine) showed (at least partial) benefits for cognitive problems in adults with brain cancer. The effects of other pharmacological and exercise interventions were inconclusive and/or preliminary. CONCLUSION: Overall, drawing firm conclusions is complicated due to various methodological shortcomings, including the absence of a (placebo) control group and small sample sizes. Promising effects have been reported for cognitive rehabilitation and some pharmacological approaches. Suggestions for more thorough research with respect to the various approaches are provided.

Comparison of the effects of bilateral and non-bilateral frontal pneumocephalus on acute agitation after craniotomy for brain tumor / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To compare the effects of bilateral and non- bilateral frontal pneumocephalus on acute agitation after craniotomy for brain tumor. Methods The clinical data of 406 brain tumor patients who had underwent craniotomy in Maoming Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital and Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from January 2014 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into bilateral frontal pneumocephalus group (92 cases) and unilateral frontal pneumocephalus group (314 cases) according to frontal pneumocephalus within 12 hours after operation. Within 24 hours after operation, the sedation-agitation scale (SAS) was evaluated, and SAS≥ 5 scores was defined as acute agitation. Results The incidence of postoperative acute agitation, rate of postoperative sedatives use and postoperative hospital stay in bilateral frontal pneumocephalus group were significantly higher than those in unilateral frontal pneumocephalus group: 23.9% (22/92) vs. 8.6% (27/314), 14.1% (13/92) vs. 3.5% (11/314) and (12.2 ± 2.6) d vs. (8.5 ± 1.6) d, and there were statistical differences (P＜0.01 or ＜0.05). Conclusions Brain tumor patients who had bilateral frontal pneumocephalus after craniotomy are more likely to develop acute agitation.

Bilateral Thalamic Glioma in a Young Woman: a Case Report

Bilateral thalamic gliomas (BTGs) are rare brain tumors. In general, the prognosis is poor because of the involvement of bilateral thalami and limitations of surgical excision. Consequently, patients with symptoms of personality changes and memory impairment must be differentiated from others. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the diagnosis of BTGs and reveals a hypo-intense lesion on T1-weighted images and a hyper-intense lesion on T2 images. We report a case of a 17-year-old female patient suffering from progressive cognitive dysfunction and personality changes and subsequent rehabilitation treatment. Brain MRI showed an enlarged bilateral thalamus, with hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and iso-intensity on T1-weighted images. A biopsy was performed, and the pathology revealed a high-grade glioma. The patient was referred for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She also underwent rehabilitation treatment for 5 weeks and showed improvement in standing balance, endurance, and speech fluency. The patient's Modified Barthel Index scores also improved. Cancer rehabilitation is important in brain tumor patients because they have a higher incidence of neurological sequelae than others. Rehabilitation of patients with a malignant brain tumor is also important for improving health-related quality of life by maintaining the general condition and preventing complications during and after cancer treatment.

Pediatric Glioma at the Optic Pathway and Thalamus

Gliomas are the most common pediatric tumors of the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, treatment paradigms, and evolving concepts related to two types of pediatric gliomas affecting two main locations: the optic pathway and thalamus. In particular, we discuss recently revised pathologic classification, which adopting molecular parameter. We believe that our review contribute to the readers' better understanding of pediatric glioma because pediatric glioma differs in many ways from adult glioma according to the newest advances in molecular characterization of this tumor. A better understanding of current and evolving issues in pediatric glioma is needed to ensure effective management decision.

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour : From Tumours to Therapies

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs) are the most common malignant central nervous system tumours in children ≤1 year of age and represent approximately 1–2% of all pediatric brain tumours. ATRT is a primarily monogenic disease characterized by the bi-allelic loss of the SMARCB1 gene, which encodes the hSNF5 subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Though conventional dose chemotherapy is not effective in most ATRT patients, high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and/or intrathecal chemotherapy all show significant potential to improve patient survival. Recent epigenetic and transcriptional studies highlight three subgroups of ATRT, each with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics with corresponding therapeutic sensitivities, including epigenetic targeting, and inhibition of tyrosine kinases or growth/lineage specific pathways.

Pediatric Glioma at the Optic Pathway and Thalamus

Gliomas are the most common pediatric tumors of the central nervous system. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, treatment paradigms, and evolving concepts related to two types of pediatric gliomas affecting two main locations: the optic pathway and thalamus. In particular, we discuss recently revised pathologic classification, which adopting molecular parameter. We believe that our review contribute to the readers' better understanding of pediatric glioma because pediatric glioma differs in many ways from adult glioma according to the newest advances in molecular characterization of this tumor. A better understanding of current and evolving issues in pediatric glioma is needed to ensure effective management decision.

Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour : From Tumours to Therapies

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs) are the most common malignant central nervous system tumours in children ≤1 year of age and represent approximately 1–2% of all pediatric brain tumours. ATRT is a primarily monogenic disease characterized by the bi-allelic loss of the SMARCB1 gene, which encodes the hSNF5 subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Though conventional dose chemotherapy is not effective in most ATRT patients, high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and/or intrathecal chemotherapy all show significant potential to improve patient survival. Recent epigenetic and transcriptional studies highlight three subgroups of ATRT, each with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics with corresponding therapeutic sensitivities, including epigenetic targeting, and inhibition of tyrosine kinases or growth/lineage specific pathways.

Previously Undiagnosed Malignant Brain Tumor Discovered During Examination of a Patient Seeking Chiropractic Care.

OBJECTIVE: This case report describes the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor in a patient requesting chiropractic care for headaches after a motor vehicle accident. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 30-year-old man presented with numbness and tingling in all extremities, lower extremity muscle weakness, and a recent increase in headaches with the loss of ability to concentrate. He was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision approximately 4 months before the onset of symptoms. Examination showed slow gait with a lack of arm swing, bilateral hip flexors and knee extensors were all graded as 4/5 on muscle testing, and cranial nerve examination was unremarkable with the exception of 2 beats of nystagmus on left lateral eye movement. Because of these findings and a family history of multiple sclerosis, the patient was referred for a brain magnetic resonance imaging scan. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Imaging showed a craniocervical junction mass centered at the floor of the fourth ventricle with obstruction of foramina and marked impingement on the medulla. A posterior fossa craniotomy and tumor removal procedure was performed by a neurosurgeon, followed by 34 sessions of radiation therapy. The final diagnosis was a grade II glioma with features of ependymoma. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the clinical presentation, examination, and medical management of a 30-year-old man presenting to a chiropractic practice with an unsuspected malignant brain tumor.

Peri-gestational risk factors for pediatric brain tumors in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) are strongly predisposed to developing pediatric brain tumors (PBTs), especially optic pathway gliomas (OPGs). Although developmental factors have been implicated in the origins of PBTs in both human and animal studies, associations between early-life factors and PBTs have not been evaluated in individuals with NF1. Our objective was to evaluate associations between peri-gestational characteristics and PBTs in this population. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, ascertaining questionnaire and medical record data for 606 individuals<18years old who enrolled in the NF1 Patient Registry Initiative (NPRI) from 6/9/2011-6/29/2015. One hundred eighty-four individuals had reported PBT diagnoses, including 65 who were identified with OPG diagnoses. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between PBT and OPG diagnoses and peri-gestational characteristics (prematurity, birth weight, parental age, plurality, family history of NF1, assisted reproductive technology, maternal vitamin supplementation, and parental smoking). RESULTS: We observed no significant associations between any of the assessed characteristics and PBTs overall or OPGs with the exception of birth weight. After controlling for potential confounding variables, we observed a significant positive association between birth weight quartile and OPGs with a HR of 3.32 (95% CI 1.39-7.94) for the fourth (≥3915.5g) compared to the first (≤3020g) quartile (p for trend=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with results for PBTs in the general population, these results suggest that higher birth weights increase OPG risk in individuals with NF1.

Ependymoma in adults: Local experience with an uncommon tumour.

This study reviews our tertiary hospital experience in an adult population of ependymoma patients. Ependymomas are uncommon tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) and the literature provides little information to guide management and predict prognosis. The prospectively maintained Australian Comprehensive Cancer Outcomes and Research Database of CNS tumours was searched for patients diagnosed with ependymomas at the Royal Melbourne Hospital between January 2008 and December 2013. A total of 39 adult patients with ependymoma were identified, including 13 with spinal myxopapillary ependymoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 44 years. All patients underwent surgical resection, 67% of whom had a gross macroscopic resection. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to 11 patients (30%), two (5%) died from progressive disease and seven (18%) developed recurrent disease. Our findings are consistent with the existing literature for patient demographics and the approach to treatment, whilst our clinical outcomes appear more favourable. This study provides the basis for further and necessary research, including determination of the molecular characterisation of these tumours and the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers and treatment targets.

Caracterización de los tumores cerebrales en un Hospital Universitario de Pereira, Colombia: un estudio retrospectivo / Characterization of brain tumors in a university hospital of Pereira, Colombia: a retrospective study

Objetivo: determinar las características demográficas, frecuencia, métodos diagnósticos, mortalidad, supervivencia, y tratamiento de pacientes con tumores cerebrales en el Hospital Universitario San Jorge de Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, en el cual se tuvo en cuenta 78 historias clínicas de pacientes que ingresaron al Hospital Universitario San Jorge entre los años 2008-2011, con diagnóstico de tumor cerebral, de ellas se analizaron y compararon con estudios nacionales e internacionales datos demográficos, clasificación del tumor según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), método diagnóstico, hallazgos positivos en la Tomografía Axial Computar izada simple y contrastada, Imagen por Resonancia Magnética Cerebral y biopsia, localización del tumor, tratamiento recibido (cirugía, quimioterapia y radioterapia), sobrevida y funcionalidad del paciente mediante la escala de Karnofsky. Resultados: De los 78 pacientes el 62,8% eran hombres, la edad promedio fue 45,9 años, con una moda de 35, los tumores más frecuentes fueron el glioblastoma multiforme y el tumor metastásico (17,9% cada uno), el tratamiento de elección fue la cirugía (80,8%), seguido de la radioterapia (29,5%) y la quimioterapia (17,9%). La mortalidad fue del 45% con una sobrevida de 3,4 años (DE 1,2). El 51% de los pacientes que ingresaron con Karnofsky menor de 70 murieron. Discusión: La supervivencia de los tumores cerebrales en el Hospital Universitario San Jorge es mayor a la esperada por la OMS, la cirugía fue el tratamiento de elección junto a tratamiento complementario con radioterapia y quimioterapia, incrementando la sobrevida; la Tomografía Axial Computarizada se usó en todos los pacientes por su disponibilidad, precisión y costo-efectividad para este medio, la biopsia es una herramienta necesaria para el diagnóstico definitivo del tipo de tumor y la escala funcional de Karnofsky se podría utilizar como factor pronóstico de mortalidad en tumores cerebrales.

Objectives: determine the demographic characteristics, frequency, diagnosis, mortality, survival and treatment of patients with brain tumors at the Hospital Universitario San Jorge of Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study, which took into account medical records of 78 patients admitted to the Hospital Universitario San Jorge between the years 2008-2011 with a diagnosis of brain tumor; they were analyzed and compared with national and international studies; data demographic, tumor classification according to the World Health Organization (WHO), diagnostic method, positive findings on computed tomography simple and contrast, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy, tumor location, treatment received (surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy), survival and functionality of the patient by the Karnofsky scale. Results: From a total of 78 patients, 62.8% were male, age 45.9 years average, with statistical mode of 35, the glioblastoma multiforme and the metastatic tumor were the commonest tumors (17.9% each one), the treatment of choice was the surgery (80.8%), followed by radiation therapy (29.5%) and chemotherapy (17.9%.) The mortality was 45% with a survival of 3.4 years (DE 1.2), 51% of patients who were admitted with Karnofsky score under 70 they died. Discussion: The survival of brain tumors in Hospital Universitario San Jorge is higher than expected according to WHO, surgery was the preferred treatment with adjunctive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, increasing survival; Computed Axial Tomography was used in all patients for its availability, accuracy and cost-effectiveness for this setting, a biopsy is a necessary tool for a definitive diagnosis of the tumor type and the Karnofsky Performance Status could be used as a predictor of mortality in brain tumors.

Glioblastoma multicêntrico originado em dois locais incomuns: cerebelo e tálamo / Multicentric glioblastoma arising in two unusual sites: cerebellum and thalamus

Multicentric glioblastomas (MGBM) arising in infra/supratentorial regions are uncommon lesions. The authors report a case of MGBM in a 61 year-old female patient, who presented a sudden onset of left hemiplegia. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed two expansive large lesions affecting cerebellum and thalamus, with strong contrast enhancement. The patient underwent resection of the cerebellar lesion. Microscopy revealed a high grade glial neoplasm exhibiting high mitotic index, areas of necrosis and microvascular proliferation. The neoplastic cells showed positive immunoexpression for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The morphological findings were consistent with glioblastoma (GBM). The patient was referred to radiotherapy, with discrete signs of tumor regression after a 60-day clinical follow-up.

Glioblastomas multicêntricos (GBMM) originados em regiões infra/supratentoriais são lesões incomuns. Os autores relatam um caso de GBMM em paciente do sexo feminino, 61 anos de idade, que apresenta quadro súbito de hemiplegia esquerda. O exame de ressonância magnética (RM) mostrou duas lesões expansivas volumosas, com forte impregnação pelo contraste no cerebelo e no tálamo. A paciente foi submetida à ressecção da lesão cerebelar. À microscopia, foi identificada uma neoplasia glial de alto grau exibindo alto índice mitótico, áreas de necrose e proliferação microvascular. As células neoplásicas revelaram imunoexpressão positiva para proteína glial acídica (GFAP). O conjunto das alterações morfológicas foi consistente com glioblastoma. A paciente foi encaminhada para radioterapia, com sinais discretos de regressão tumoral após acompanhamento clínico de 60 dias.

Investigation into the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Factors Affecting Use in Korean Patients with Brain Tumors / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The study was done to define complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among primary brain tumor patients and factors influencing use. METHODS: The study was conducted with convenience sampling in 5 neuro-oncology centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected using a 25-item questionnaire developed by the researchers. RESULTS: Of 250 patients approached, 231 (92.4%) agreed to participate. Overall, 26.8% of the respondents used CAM and the average cost for CAM use was 300,000 KRW. More than 72% of CAM users did not disclose CAM use to their health care professionals. The most frequently used therapy was natural products including mushrooms. Logistic regression analysis revealed that an education level of university or higher (OR=2.92, 95% CI=1.56-5.44, p=.001), unemployment (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.04-3.80, p=.037), and WHO grade III & IV tumors (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.07-4.72, p=.048) were significant factors influencing CAM use. CONCLUSION: Three out of ten brain tumor patients spend substantial sum of money for CAM. In these situations, health care professionals should be aware of this phenomenon and provide adequate information and consultation to the patients.