scholarly journals Practice variation in perioperative steroid dosing for brain tumor patients: an international survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charissa A.C. Jessurun ◽  
Alexander F.C. Hulsbergen ◽  
Nayan Lamba ◽  
Rishi D.S. Nandoe Tewarie ◽  
Timothy R. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Practice Variation ◽  
International Survey ◽  
Tumor Patients

P14.49 Prescription preferences of antiepileptic drugs in brain tumor patients: an international survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii47-ii47
Author(s):  
P B van der Meer ◽  
L Dirven ◽  
M J van den Bent ◽  
M Preusser ◽  
M J B Taphoorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
European Association ◽  
International Survey ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Organization Of Care ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Digital Survey

Abstract BACKGROUND This study aimed at investigating antiepileptic drug (AED) prescription preferences in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) among the European neuro-oncology community, the considerations that play a role when initiating AED treatment, the organization of care, and practices with regard to AED withdrawal. MATERIAL AND METHODS A digital survey containing 31 questions about prescription preferences of AEDs was set out among members of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO). RESULTS A total of 198 respondents treating patients with BTRE participated of whom 179 completed the entire survey. Levetiracetam was the first choice in patients with BTRE for almost all respondents (90% [162/181]). Levetiracetam was considered the most effective AED in reducing seizure frequency (72% [131/181]) and having the least adverse effects (48% [87/181]). Common alternatives for levetiracetam as equivalent first choice included lacosamide (33% [59/181]), lamotrigine (22% [40/181]), and valproic acid (21% [38/181]). Most crucial factors to choose a specific AED were potential adverse effects (82% [148/181]) and interactions with other antitumor treatments (76% [137/181]). In the majority of patients neuro-oncologists were involved in the treatment of seizures (73% [132/181])). Other relevant findings were that a minority of respondents ever prescribe AEDs in brain tumor patients without epilepsy solely as prophylaxis (29% [53/181]), but a majority routinely consider complete AED withdrawal in seizure free BTRE patients after antitumor treatment (79% [141/179]). CONCLUSION Our results show that among European professionals treating patients with BTRE levetiracetam is considered the first choice AED, with the presumed highest efficacy and least adverse effects.

scholarly journals Prescription preferences of antiepileptic drugs in brain tumor patients: an international survey among EANO members

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pim B van der Meer ◽  
Linda Dirven ◽  
Martin J van den Bent ◽  
Matthias Preusser ◽  
Martin J B Taphoorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
European Association ◽  
International Survey ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Organization Of Care ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Digital Survey

Abstract Background This study aimed at investigating antiepileptic drug (AED) prescription preferences in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy (BTRE) among the European neuro-oncology community, the considerations that play a role when initiating AED treatment, the organization of care, and practices with regard to AED withdrawal. Methods A digital survey containing 31 questions about prescription preferences of AEDs was set out among members of the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO). Results A total of 198 respondents treating patients with BTRE participated of whom 179 completed the entire survey. Levetiracetam was the first choice in patients with BTRE for almost all respondents (90% [162/181]). Levetiracetam was considered the most effective AED in reducing seizure frequency (72% [131/181]) and having the least adverse effects (48% [87/181]). Common alternatives for levetiracetam as equivalent first choice included lacosamide (33% [59/181]), lamotrigine (22% [40/181]), and valproic acid (21% [38/181]). Most crucial factors to choose a specific AED were potential adverse effects (82% [148/181]) and interactions with antitumor treatments (76% [137/181]). In the majority of patients neuro-oncologists were involved in the treatment of seizures (73% [132/181])). Other relevant findings were that a minority of respondents ever prescribe AEDs in brain tumor patients without epilepsy solely as prophylaxis (29% [53/181]), but a majority routinely considers complete AED withdrawal in BTRE patients who are seizure free after antitumor treatment (79% [141/179]). Conclusions Our results show that among European professionals treating patients with BTRE levetiracetam is considered the first choice AED, with the presumed highest efficacy and least adverse effects.

scholarly journals EPID-33. PRACTICE VARIATION OF STEROID DOSING AND TAPERING SCHEDULES AMONG THE NEURO-ONCOLOGY COMMUNITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii85-ii85
Author(s):  
Charissa Jessurun ◽  
Alexander Hulsbergen ◽  
Rishi Nandoe Tewarie ◽  
Timothy Smith ◽  
Marike Broekman
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Practice Variation ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Mailing Lists ◽  
Optimal Dosing ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Great Practice ◽  
Type Of Institution

Abstract INTRODUCTION Steroids are commonly used for treatment of peritumoral edema and increased intracranial pressure in brain tumor patients. However, despite the widespread use of steroids, relatively little evidence is available about the optimal dosing scheme in brain tumor patients. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to increase insight in the practice variation of steroid dosing and tapering schedules among the neuro-oncology community. METHODS An electronic survey consisting of 27 questions regarding dosing and tapering schedules and adverse events of steroids was conducted among neurosurgeons internationally between 6 December 2019 and 1 June 2020. The survey was distributed by the electronic mailing lists of the Europeans Association of Neurosurgical Societies and via social media platforms. Collected data was assessed for quantitative and qualitative analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS The survey obtained 175 responses. 87% of respondents answered all questions. Steroids are prescribed routinely perioperatively by 80% of respondents. Prescribed doses range from 2 to 64 mg/day in dosing schedule ranging from one to four times a day. The most prescribed steroid is dexamethasone in a dose of 16 mg/day. No significant association is seen between the prescribed dose and frequency of adverse events, years of experience, country, type of institution or having an institutional guideline. CONCLUSION Steroids are routinely prescribed perioperatively in brain tumor patients. However, there is a great practice variation in steroid dosing and tapering schedules among neurosurgeons. Future investigation is needed to identify an optimal dosing scheme and implement (inter)national guidelines for the dosing of steroids.

scholarly journals Genetic variants and cognitive functions in patients with brain tumors

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1297-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise D Correa ◽  
Jaya Satagopan ◽  
Axel Martin ◽  
Erica Braun ◽  
Maria Kryza-Lacombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulation ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Cycle Regulation

AbstractBackgroundPatients with brain tumors treated with radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) often experience cognitive dysfunction. We reported that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the APOE, COMT, and BDNF genes may influence cognition in brain tumor patients. In this study, we assessed whether genes associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD), inflammation, cholesterol transport, dopamine and myelin regulation, and DNA repair may influence cognitive outcome in this population.MethodsOne hundred and fifty brain tumor patients treated with RT ± CT or CT alone completed a neurocognitive assessment and provided a blood sample for genotyping. We genotyped genes/SNPs in these pathways: (i) LOAD risk/inflammation/cholesterol transport, (ii) dopamine regulation, (iii) myelin regulation, (iv) DNA repair, (v) blood–brain barrier disruption, (vi) cell cycle regulation, and (vii) response to oxidative stress. White matter (WM) abnormalities were rated on brain MRIs.ResultsMultivariable linear regression analysis with Bayesian shrinkage estimation of SNP effects, adjusting for relevant demographic, disease, and treatment variables, indicated strong associations (posterior association summary [PAS] ≥ 0.95) among tests of attention, executive functions, and memory and 33 SNPs in genes involved in: LOAD/inflammation/cholesterol transport (eg, PDE7A, IL-6), dopamine regulation (eg, DRD1, COMT), myelin repair (eg, TCF4), DNA repair (eg, RAD51), cell cycle regulation (eg, SESN1), and response to oxidative stress (eg, GSTP1). The SNPs were not significantly associated with WM abnormalities.ConclusionThis novel study suggests that polymorphisms in genes involved in aging and inflammation, dopamine, myelin and cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair and response to oxidative stress may be associated with cognitive outcome in patients with brain tumors.

Benefit of Static FET PET in Pretreated Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients with Equivocal Conventional MRI Results

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Grosse ◽  
Florian Wedel ◽  
Ulrich-Wilhelm Thomale ◽  
Ingo Steffen ◽  
Arend Koch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumor ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Pediatric Brain Tumor ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Fet Pet ◽  
Conventional Mri ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Pediatric Brain

Abstract Background MRI has shortcomings in differentiation between tumor tissue and post-therapeutic changes in pretreated brain tumor patients. Patients We assessed 22 static FET-PET/CT-scans of 17 pediatric patients (median age 12 years, range 2–16 years, ependymoma n=4, medulloblastoma n=4, low-grade glioma n=6, high-grade glioma n=3, germ cell tumor n=1, choroid plexus tumor n=1, median follow-up: 112 months) with multimodal treatment. Method FET-PET/CT-scans were analyzed visually by 3 independent nuclear medicine physicians. Additionally quantitative FET-Uptake for each lesion was determined by calculating standardized uptake values (SUVmaxT/SUVmeanB, SUVmeanT/SUVmeanB). Histology or clinical follow-up served as reference. Results Static FET-PET/CT reliably distinguished between tumor tissue and post-therapeutic changes in 16 out of 17 patients. It identified correctly vital tumor tissue in 13 patients and post-therapeutic changes in 3 patients. SUV-based analyses were less sensitive than visual analyses. Except from a choroid plexus carcinoma, all tumor entities showed increased FET-uptake. Discussion Our study comprises a limited number of patients but results corroborate the ability of FET to detect different brain tumor entities in pediatric patients and discriminate between residual/recurrent tumor and post-therapeutic changes. Conclusions We observed a clear benefit from additional static FET-PET/CT-scans when conventional MRI identified equivocal lesions in pretreated pediatric brain tumor patients. These results warrant prospective studies that should include dynamic scans.

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