The brain metastasis journey: Experience from patient, caregiver, and physician surveys on diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases.

Authors

null

Albert Eusik Kim

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Albert Eusik Kim , GI-Ming WANG , Kristin A Waite , Scott Elder , Avery Fine , Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia , Daniel J Brat , Minesh P. Mehta , Robin Page , Erin M. Dunbar , Heather Calderone , Debbie Robins , Ralph DeVitto , Nicole Willmarth , Jill Barnholtz-Sloan , Priscilla Kaliopi Brastianos

Organizations

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) Research, Washington, DC, Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Neurological Institute, Taussig Cancer Institute and Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami, FL, Core Life Wellness, Libertyville, IL, Piedmont Healthcare, Atlanta, GA, American Brain Tumor Association, Chicago, IL, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Research Funding

Other Foundation
American Brain Tumor Association

Background: Brain metastases (BM) is one of the most feared complications of cancer due to substantial neurologic sequalae, neuro-cognitive morbidity and grim prognosis. In the past decade, targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors have resulted in meaningfully improved overall survival for a minority of these patients. Accordingly, there is a growing need to identify issues surrounding patient survivorship and to standardize physician practice patterns for these patients. To date, there has not been a well-conducted formal study to specifically explore these questions of survivorship and practice standardization for BM patients. Methods: Here, we present results from a cross-sectional survey in which we analyzed responses from 237 BM patients, 209 caregivers, and 239 physicians. Surveys contained questions about BM symptoms, discussion of BM diagnosis by the clinician, psychosocial concerns, available treatment options for BM, BM patient advocacy resources, and BM-specific clinical trials. Results: Our survey revealed compelling findings about current care of BM patients. There were discrepancies in the perceived discussion of the implications of the diagnosis of BM, from the patient/caregiver and physician perspective. Important topics, such as prognosis and worrisome symptoms, were felt to have been discussed more frequently by physicians than by patients or caregivers. In our physician survey, private practice physicians, compared to academic physicians, were significantly more likely to recommend whole brain radiotherapy (61.1 vs 39.7%; p = 0.009). Participation in a clinical trial was one of the least recommended treatment options. Many physicians (59.1% private; 71.9% academic) stated that BM patients in their care are denied participation in a clinical trial, specifically due to the presence of BM. The consensus among physicians, patients and caregivers was that the highest yield area for federal assistance is increased treatment and research funding for BM. Conclusions: Our hope is that these findings will serve as a basis for future quality improvement measures to enhance patient-physician communication and patient well-being, continuing medical education activities detailing latest advances in BM for oncologists, and lobbying efforts to the federal government in prioritizing BM research, clinical trials, and patient survivorship.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Central Nervous System Tumors

Track

Central Nervous System Tumors

Sub Track

Brain Metastases

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr e14004)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.e14004

Abstract #

e14004

Abstract Disclosures

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