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Systematic review of supportive care needs in patients with primary malignant brain tumors

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 11:18 authored by Elizabeth FordElizabeth Ford, Susan Catt, Anthony Chalmers, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield
In adults, primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) are rare, but they have a devastating impact and the chances for survival are limited. UK clinical guidance on supportive care for patients with brain and central nervous system tumors was published in 2006 and relied on very limited evidence. The current article reviews literature from 2005 through 2011 on the psychosocial and supportive needs of patients with PMBT and their families or caregivers. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Psychinfo, Cochrane, Scopus, ASSIA, and Sciencedirect. The search initially yielded 6220 articles, of which 60 were found to be eligible (1%). Eleven qualitative and 49 quantitative studies are reviewed here and mapped onto the structure of the existing UK clinical guidance. Studies suggest rates of depression and anxiety up to 48% in patients and up to 40% in caregivers, with many unmet needs and dissatisfaction with health care provider communication and information. Cognitive deficits increase as the disease progresses, hampering communication and decision-making. A range of neurological and physical symptoms at the end of life need recognition. Some successful supportive and neuropsychological interventions are reported. Although the volume of available studies has increased since UK guidance, many remain observational in nature, with few trials of interventions. However, this review provides an up to date resource for clinicians involved with patients with PMBT, describing current knowledge on patients' psychosocial needs, the type of care which has been found to be beneficial, and highlighting areas where more research needs to be done.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Neuro-Oncology

ISSN

1522-8517

Publisher

Duke University Press

Issue

4

Volume

14

Page range

392-404

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Notes

Ford, Elizabeth Catt, Susan Chalmers, Anthony Fallowfield, Lesley England Neuro-oncology Neuro Oncol. 2012 Apr;14(4):392-404. Epub 2012 Feb 3.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-04-17

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