Know the symptoms: diagnosing a brain tumour early is key

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-11
Author(s):  
Sarah Lindsell
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Childhood Brain Tumours ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Brain

Everyone has a role to play in reducing diagnosis times for childhood brain tumours, the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 years old in the UK. The Brain Tumour Charity's HeadSmart campaign aims to inform parents and healthcare professionals about the key early signs and symptoms of brain tumours.

Exploring access to rehabilitation services from allied health professionals for patients with primary high-grade brain tumours

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 788-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aileen McCartney ◽  
Claire Butler ◽  
Sue Acreman
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Brain Tumours ◽  
The Uk

Primary brain tumours account for less than 2% of cancer diagnoses in the UK but more people under 40 die from a brain tumour than from any other cancer. Despite developments in some treatment options, survival remains poor and patients suffer with considerable functional and cognitive deficits. Rehabilitation for patients with primary brain tumours produces statistically and clinically significant improvements in function. When compared, similar functional gains are made following rehabilitation for brain tumour patients and for those following stroke and traumatic brain injury. There have been very few studies looking at access to rehabilitation for this group of patients as a primary objective. However, existing studies and clinical experience suggest that patients with brain tumours do not access rehabilitation services frequently or easily, either locally or nationally. Therefore, this qualitative study addressed the reasons for this through semi-structured interviews of healthcare professionals, investigating their experiences of rehabilitation for this patient group and describing commonly identified barriers under key themes. The interviews gauged the views of eight healthcare professionals representing three professions in different settings, including hospital and community based. The resultant barriers fell under the following themes: professional knowledge and behaviours; services and systems; and the disease and its effects. Suggested solutions were wide ranging and included education, multidisciplinary meetings and specialist clinicians to co-ordinate care. The barriers to accessing rehabilitation for this group of patients are complex, but some of the solutions could be reached through education and co-ordination of services. Further research into the benefits of, and access to, rehabilitation for this group of patients is essential to ensure that patients with brain tumours are given opportunity to gain from the benefits of rehabilitation in the same way as other diagnoses, both cancer and non-cancer.

scholarly journals Using surgical and oncology workload to plan brain tumour trial recruitment in England

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv11-iv12
Author(s):  
Kerlann Le Calvez ◽  
Peter Treasure ◽  
Matt Williams
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Trial Recruitment ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Primary Brain Tumour ◽  
Rational Planning ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Introduction Access to clinical trials is a common request for patients with brain tumours. However, opening clinical trials requires additional work per centre opened. We have previously shown that surgical and oncology workload varies between centres, and fluctuates over time. There is a trade-off between offering access to clinical trials and increasing costs associated with opening trials in centres that treat few patients. Methods We used two separate datasets from England covering 3 years – one for neurosurgical workload and one for radiotherapy. We only included adult patients and calculated cumulative proportions of the malignant primary brain tumour population (C71) by number of centres. We investigated stability by checking how many patients would have to be added/ removed from a centre to change their rank. Results There were 7061 surgical and 5060 radiotherapy patients. To capture 25% of patients, we would need to open trials in 4 surgical/5 radiotherapy centres; for 50%, 9 surgical/ 13 radiotherapy centres; for 75%, 16 surgical/ 24 radiotherapy centres. Centre rank was fluid: adding 16 surgical/9 radiotherapy patients would change the rank of a centre. Discussion These are the first data to allow for rational planning of trials in brain tumour patients. We have shown that we can reach 75% of the brain tumour population by opening trials in ~50% of surgical and radiotherapy centres. Centre rank alters over year, so we should be cautious about being too prescriptive. Nonetheless, these data should allow some rational planning of trial centre inclusion.

A review of the eating disorders literature with reference to dentistry

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-160
Author(s):  
Andrea Waylen
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Clinical Relevance ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Oral Pathology ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Psychiatric Illnesses ◽  
The Uk

Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses associated with physical and psychological morbidity and mortality. In the UK, around 1 in 9 people are directly affected. Oral healthcare professionals may be among the first to observe the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder because of the recognizable and consistent links with oral pathology and it is important that they are sufficiently informed about the condition, and feel confident in raising it with patients and/or their families. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Oral healthcare professionals may be among the first to suspect that a patient has an eating disorder: they can play a role in diagnosis and appropriate referral, as well as providing appropriate oral healthcare advice.

scholarly journals The development of a graphical user interface, functional elements and classifiers for the non-invasive characterization of childhood brain tumours using magnetic resonance spectroscopy

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gibb ◽  
John Easton ◽  
Nigel Davies ◽  
YU Sun ◽  
Lesley MacPherson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Childhood Brain Tumours ◽  
Tumour Diagnosis ◽  
Brain Tumour Diagnosis

AbstractMagnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive method, which can provide diagnostic information on children with brain tumours. The technique has not been widely used in clinical practice, partly because of the difficulty of developing robust classifiers from small patient numbers and the challenge of providing decision support systems (DSSs) acceptable to clinicians. This paper describes a participatory design approach in the development of an interactive clinical user interface, as part of a distributed DSS for the diagnosis and prognosis of brain tumours. In particular, we consider the clinical need and context of developing interactive elements for an interface that facilitates the classification of childhood brain tumours, for diagnostic purposes, as part of the HealthAgents European Union project. Previous MRS-based DSS tools have required little input from the clinician user and a raw spectrum is essentially processed to provide a diagnosis sometimes with an estimate of error. In childhood brain tumour diagnosis where there are small numbers of cases and a large number of potential diagnoses, this approach becomes intractable. The involvement of clinicians directly in the designing of the DSS for brain tumour diagnosis from MRS led to an alternative approach with the creation of a flexible DSS that, allows the clinician to input prior information to create the most relevant differential diagnosis for the DSS. This approach mirrors that which is currently taken by clinicians and removes many sources of potential error. The validity of this strategy was confirmed for a small cohort of children with cerebellar tumours by combining two diagnostic types, pilocytic astrocytomas (11 cases) and ependymomas (four cases) into a class of glial tumours which then had similar numbers to the other diagnostic type, medulloblastomas (18 cases). Principal component analysis followed by linear discriminant analysis on magnetic resonance spectral data gave a classification accuracy of 91% for a three-class classifier and 94% for a two-class classifier using a leave-one-out analysis. This DSS provides a flexible method for the clinician to use MRS for brain tumour diagnosis in children.

scholarly journals QOL-32. THE PROMOTE STUDY: HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND THEIR FAMILIES ATTENDING OUTPATIENT CONSULTATIONS AFTER TREATMENT FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii437-iii437
Author(s):  
Shelly Stubley ◽  
Anita Freeman ◽  
Christina Liossi ◽  
Anne-Sophie Darlington ◽  
Martha Grootenhuis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Childhood Brain Tumours ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract BACKGROUND Childhood brain tumours and their treatment can reduce health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cause anxiety and depression, withdrawal, and social isolation. Improved communication within outpatient consultations may allow early identification and treatment of these issues. We explored family communication needs in survivors of childhood brain tumours receiving six-monthly follow-up outpatient review within the English NHS. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 families whose child aged 8–17 years had finished treatment for a brain tumour within the preceding five years. Thematic analysis used the Framework Method. RESULTS Adjusting to change and finding a “new normal” was the overarching theme to emerge. HRQoL issues included fatigue, coping with physical changes, challenges at school, isolation, and adjusting to changes in abilities. Survivors described a need for greater knowledge about and more support with changes in cognitive functioning. Parents spoke about the impact on the wider family and their changed role in supporting the child’s HRQoL. Communication barriers included short-term memory loss, shyness, and the need to suppress or regulate emotions evoked by these issues. Communication needs included more information regarding recovery and rehabilitation and/or help managing anxiety or emotional health. CONCLUSION The above communication needs and barriers should be addressed. Having a digital record to document and monitor this information systematically could improve service planning and provide patients and their families with the resources to reach their full potential and experience a better HRQoL.

scholarly journals Brain tumours repurpose endogenous neuron to microglia signalling mechanisms to promote their own proliferation

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelda Chia ◽  
Marcus Keatinge ◽  
Julie Mazzolini ◽  
Dirk Sieger
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Tumour Cells ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Neoplastic Cells ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
The Brain

Previously we described direct cellular interactions between microglia and AKT1+ brain tumour cells in zebrafish (Chia et al., 2018). However, it was unclear how these interactions were initiated: it was also not clear if they had an impact on the growth of tumour cells. Here, we show that neoplastic cells hijack mechanisms that are usually employed to direct microglial processes towards highly active neurons and injuries in the brain. We show that AKT1+ cells possess dynamically regulated high intracellular Ca2+ levels. Using a combination of live imaging, genetic and pharmacological tools, we show that these Ca2+ transients stimulate ATP-mediated interactions with microglia. Interfering with Ca2+ levels, inhibiting ATP release and CRISPR-mediated mutation of the p2ry12 locus abolishes these interactions. Finally, we show that reducing the number of microglial interactions significantly impairs the proliferation of neoplastic AKT1 cells. In conclusion, neoplastic cells repurpose the endogenous neuron to microglia signalling mechanism via P2ry12 activation to promote their own proliferation.

scholarly journals Are patients with brain tumours being given timely DVLA advice?

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv2-iv3
Author(s):  
Shumail Mahmood ◽  
Yazan Hendi ◽  
Hasan Zeb ◽  
Yasir A Chowdhury ◽  
Ismail Ughratdar
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Queen Elizabeth Hospital ◽  
The Public ◽  
Primary Brain Tumour ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Diagnosis

Abstract Aims Over 11,000 patients are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour annually in the UK, with many more being diagnosed with a secondary brain tumour. UK law stipulates that all individuals with a brain tumour must inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and may be required to surrender their driving license depending on their specific tumour and symptoms. Despite this guidance, we found that patients continue to arrive at the neuro-oncology clinic without the correct DVLA advice being given. This can potentially lead to patients with brain tumours continuing to drive on the public highway, which poses a severe hazard as the risk of seizures could endanger the public. This retrospective study looks to review what information was provided to patients with brain tumours upon initial diagnosis and determine the adequacy of this; ultimately aiming to improve the quality of information given to future neuro-oncology patients. Method A structured questionnaire was designed, asking patients who have been treated for a brain tumour at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham about any information they received about driving when they were first diagnosed. The questionnaire comprised of 11 questions designed to gather an understanding of what information was given to patients about driving. The study secured local audit approval. 75 patients identified from the weekly neuro-oncology MDT list were contacted. All patients included in this audit were required to stop driving and inform the DVLA about their condition as per the DVLA guidelines. Their responses were collated and analysed. Using this data, we determined if there were inadequacies in the information that was given to these patients about driving, and how this process may be improved in the future. Results 60 patients (80%) possessed driving licenses when first diagnosed and 17% of these (n=10) were not told to stop driving; 8 of whom were diagnosed in primary/secondary care. 39 patients (65%) were first diagnosed in primary/secondary care, however, only 21% of these (n=8) were told to stop driving by primary/secondary care consultants. The remaining 31 patients (81%) were only told to stop driving after referral to tertiary care, by consultant neurosurgeons at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Conversely, of the 12 patients first diagnosed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 85% were told to stop driving at diagnosis, suggesting a notable difference in informing patients between primary/secondary care and tertiary care. Patients also commented on the quality of the information received, as 10 individuals (21%) mentioned needing more information about getting their license back, and 5 individuals (11%) mentioning being given conflicting or incorrect information from different members of the MDT. Conclusion The results show that in practice, there are inconsistencies about mandatory DVLA advice which should be clearly provided to patients with a new diagnosis of a brain tumour. Only 78% of patients were told to stop driving at diagnosis, suggesting that the remainder could be liable to continue driving despite their diagnosis. Furthermore, many patients diagnosed in primary/secondary care are not being told to stop driving until after referral to tertiary care which can take weeks, causing delays in them being given this information, which can pose risks to themselves and the public. These delays may be alleviated by giving patients a simplified resource when they are first diagnosed which clearly explains the driving rules. We therefore propose developing a one-page resource based on DVLA guidance and distributing this to patients and referring healthcare professionals at first diagnosis. A subsequent re-audit can evaluate if this intervention improves the current situation.

The diagnosis of brain tumours in children: a guideline to assist healthcare professionals in the assessment of children who may have a brain tumour

2010 ◽  
Vol 95 (7) ◽  
pp. 534-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wilne ◽  
K. Koller ◽  
J. Collier ◽  
C. Kennedy ◽  
R. Grundy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Healthcare Professionals

scholarly journals Proton therapy for brain tumours in the area of evidence-based medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1107) ◽  
pp. 20190237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien C Weber ◽  
Pei S Lim ◽  
Sebastien Tran ◽  
Marc Walser ◽  
Alessandra Bolsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Proton Therapy ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Organs At Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Cancer Management ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Prospective Trials ◽  
The Brain

Proton therapy (PT) has been administered for many years to a number of cancers, including brain tumours. Due to their remarkable physical properties, delivering their radiation to a very precise brain volume with no exit dose, protons are particularly appropriate for these tumours. The decrease of the brain integral dose may translate with a diminution of neuro-cognitive toxicity and increase of quality of life, particularly so in children. The brain tumour patient’s access to PT will be substantially increased in the future, with many new facilities being planned or currently constructed in Europe, Asia and the United States. Although approximately 150’000 patients have been treated with PT, no level I evidence has been demonstrated for this treatment. As such, it is this necessary to generate high-quality data and some new prospective trials will include protons or will be activated to compare photons to protons in a randomized design. PT comes however with an additional cost factor that may contribute to the ever-growing health’s expenditure allocated to cancer management. These additional costs and financial toxicity will have to be analysed in the light of a more conformal radiation delivery, non-target brain irradiation and lack of potential for dose escalation when compared to photons. The latter is due to the radiosensitivity of organs at risk in vicinity of the brain tumour, that photons cannot spare optimally. Consequentially, radiation-induced toxicities and tumour recurrences, which are cost-intensive, may decrease with PT resulting in an optimized photon/proton financial ratio in the end. Advances in knowledge: This review details the indication of brain tumors for proton therapy and give a list of the open prospective trials for these challenging tumors.

scholarly journals INNV-13. A NOVEL TELEGRAM CHAT APPLICATION BASED BOT (FLORENCEBOT) FOR BRAIN TUMOUR AFFECTED PATIENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi133-vi133
Author(s):  
Abhishek Puri ◽  
Kyle Sandeman
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumour ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Brain Tumours ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Reliable Information ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Computing Platforms

Abstract The discoverability of reliable information online is difficult. As the network grows exponentially, unregulated content has the potential to cause harm. Telegram is a popular mainstream chat application. It allows automated software called bots that interact passively with an individual. Florence bot is unique in this space for the patient support; for those affected by brain tumours. It has been developed in PHP and hosted privately by the developer. Florence links to physician generated content (hosted externally on a blogging website) such as introduction, signs and symptoms of brain tumours and various treatment options along with their side effects. The content generates “web view” in Telegram itself, preserving written and multimedia formats. It ensures minimal overheads on the bot, making it responsive. It links to brain tumour channel (automated streamed information working as a public broadcast) and physician-administered support group. A physician designed bot is preferable to a third party mobile application to ensure the accurateness of information. No user-related information is available to bot developers as it does not have tracking and advertising elements; hence safeguards users privacy. It is more accessible and cheaper to deploy than a mobile application as it uses an instant messaging app as its container, which works across computing platforms. Florence bot is expected to bridge the gap for reliable information and real-time support independent of geographical limitations.

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