Patient-Reported Outcome Monitoring in Brain Tumour Patients: Benefits and Requirements

摘要: In 2008 within the European Union brain cancer and of nervous system ranked number 15 20 most diagnosed types (Ferlay et al., 2010). Compared to five frequent seems have a small-sized incidence-rate, but mortality rate for this type is much higher than those high-incidencecancers (except lung cancer). Though only seldom diagnosed, its negative impact on patients health status well-being should not be disregarded, as survival prognosis poor deteriorated health-related quality life (QOL) common (Taphoorn Treatment options comprise surgery, radiation, chemotherapy supplementary medical therapies. Brain characterised by large variety tumour distinction made between primary tumours arising directly from tissue secondary tumours, which are metastases other malignant diseases. This differentiation often difficult make, though, it special importance since best possible treatment e.g. glioblastoma strongly differs (Campos 2009) inadequate intervention jeopardises patients’ QOL. Survival expectancy related WHO grade varies vigorously. Grade I may shorten expectancy, II associated with time 2-10 years, III 2-3 years IV 9-12 months (Reardon & Wen, 2006). Not itself, also treatment-related side effects adverse events caused supportive medication (e.g. steroids antiepileptic drugs (Sizoo 2010)), confront patient high level physical psychosocial burden. affected diversity symptoms, might increased intracranial pressure headache, anorexia, seizures, nausea, vomiting, sleeping longer at night, drowsiness, napping during day). Further impairments occur due focal neurological deficits motor deficit, aphasia, visual field defects) even more burdensome both care-givers symptoms like personality changes, decrease in mental capacity concentration, mood disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue anxiety (Heimans Taphoorn, 2002; Sizoo These were found their carers’ overall QOL if compared general population (Janda 2007). As cannot cured cases, has focus maintaining QOL, make patient's remaining enjoyable possible.