Approaching glioblastoma during COVID-19 pandemic: current recommendations and considerations in Brazil / Abordando glioblastomas durante a pandemia pelo COVID-19: recomendações atuais e considerações no Brasil

ABSTRACT Background: Cancer patients in general and glioblastoma patients, in particular, have an increased risk of developing complications from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and reaching a balance between the risk of exposure to infection and the clinical benefit of their treatment is ideal. The aggressive behavior of this group of tumors justifies the need for a multidisciplinary team to assist in clinical decisions during the current pandemic. Brazil is now ranked #2 in the number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 pandemic, and existing disparities in the treatment of neuro-oncology patients in Brazil will challenge the clinical and surgical decisions of this population, possibly affecting global survival. Objective: To search the literature about the management of glioblastomas during COVID-19 pandemic to guide surgical and clinical decisions in this population of patients in Brazil. Methods: We performed a systematic search on the PubMed electronic database targeting consensus statements concerning glioblastoma approaches during COVID-19 pandemic up to July 18, 2020. Results: When approaching glioblastoma during the COVID-19 pandemic, important parameters that help in the decision-making process are age, performance status, tumor molecular profile, and patient consent. Younger patients should follow the standard protocol after maximal safe resection, mainly those with MGMT methylated tumors. Aged and underperforming patients should be carefully evaluated, and probably a monotherapy scheme is to be considered. Centers are advised to engage in telemedicine and to elaborate means to reduce local infection. Conclusion: Approaching glioblastoma during the COVID-19 pandemic will be challenging worldwide, but particularly in Brazil, where a significant inequality of healthcare exists.

RESUMO Introdução: Pacientes com câncer, em geral, e particularmente pacientes com glioblastoma estão sob elevado risco de desenvolver síndrome respiratória aguda grave devido à infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2, e alcançar um equilíbrio entre risco de exposição à infecção e benefício clínico do tratamento seria o ideal. O comportamento agressivo desse grupo de tumores justifica a necessidade de equipe multidisciplinar para auxiliar nas decisões clínicas durante a pandemia vigente. O Brasil ocupa hoje o segundo lugar em número de casos e óbitos pela COVID-19, e as atuais disparidades no tratamento de pacientes neuro-oncológicos desafiarão as decisões clínicas e cirúrgicas dessa população, possivelmente afetando a sobrevida global. Objetivo: Guiar decisões clínicas e cirúrgicas relacionadas ao manejo de glioblastoma durante a pandemia pelo COVID-19 no Brasil por meio de pesquisa em literatura. Métodos: Busca sistemática no banco de dados eletrônico da PubMed por estudos ou consensos quanto à abordagem de glioblastoma durante a pandemia por COVID-19 até 18/07/2020. Resultado: Ao abordar o glioblastoma durante a pandemia pela COVID-19, parâmetros importantes que auxiliam no processo de tomada de decisão são idade, desempenho, perfil molecular tumoral e consentimento do paciente. Pacientes jovens devem seguir protocolo padrão após máxima ressecção cirúrgica, principalmente aqueles com metilação do promotor MGMT. Idosos e pacientes debilitados devem ser cuidadosamente avaliados, e monoterapia deve ser provavelmente considerada. Centros de saúde são orientados a utilizar-se da telemedicina e de meios para reduzir infecção local. Conclusão: A abordagem do glioblastoma durante a pandemia por COVID-19 será mundialmente desafiadora, mas particularmente no Brasil, onde ainda existe significativa inequidade no cuidado com a saúde.

Utilidad de la estimulación intra-operatoria en cirugía de procesos expansivos intracraneanos bajo anestesia general / Usefulness of intraoperative stimulation in surgery of expansive intracranial processes under general anesthesia

Resumen Introducción: El método de estimulación cortical y subcortical intraoperatoria (ECIO) es una técnica que en la última década se ha extendido en todo el mundo gracias a los éxitos reportados. La misma ha contribuido a lograr resecciones amplias de tumores cerebrales en áreas elocuentes manteniendo la indemnidad funcional. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo mostrar los resultados de la ECIO en una serie de pacientes con lesiones cerebrales operados bajo anestesia general. Metodología: Se presenta una serie clínica de 11 pacientes con lesiones cerebrales que fueron intervenidos en el período de agosto 2013 a julio de 2016 en diferentes centros de salud del Uruguay por un mismo grupo de cirujanos. En todos se realizó ECIO bajo anestesia general y las lesiones estaban relacionadas a la vía piramidal, cortical o subcortical. Resultados: Fueron 6 mujeres (55%) y 5 hombres (45 %), en un rango de edad entre 30 y 65 años. La función motora fue conservada en 7 pacientes (63%), aunque 3 tuvieron una peoría transitoria (27%), con un déficit permanente (9%). Hubo 8 tumores primarios y 3 secundarios. La distribución topográfica fue: 5 frontales (45%), 1 rolándica, 4 parietales y 1 talámica. Luego de estimular se obtuvo respuesta motora 6 casos (55%). Se logró la resección completa en 7 casos (63%). Conclusiones: La ECIO permite mapear la vía piramidal y determinar la relación que establece con el proceso patológico. Esto impacta directamente en el grado de resección tumoral respetando la función motora, todo lo cual converge en una mejor calidad de vida del paciente.

Abstract: Introduction: The method of intraoperative cortical and subcortical stimulation (ICS) is a technique that in the last decade has spread worldwide thanks to the successes reported. It has contributed to wide resections of brain tumors in eloquent areas preserving their functional indemnity. This study aims to show the results of ICS in a series of patients with brain lesions operated under general anesthesia. Methods: A series of 11 patients with brain lesions were operated on in the period between august 2013 and july 2016 in different uruguayan health centers. The patients where operated on under general anestesia and all of the cases were lesions related to the pyramidal pathway, cortically or subcortically. Results: There were six women (55%) and five men (45%), ranging from 30 to 65 years of age. The motor function was preserved in 7 patients (63%). There were 8 primary and 3 secondary tumors. The topographic distribution was: 5 frontal (45%), 1 rolandic, 4 parietal, 1 thalamic. Stimulation for motor response was positive in 6 cases (55%). Complete resection was performed in 7 cases (65%). Conclusions : The ICS allows mapping of the pyramidal tract and determines the relationship established with the pathological process. This impacts directly on the extent of tumor resection respecting motor function, thus leading to a better quality of life for patients.