ABSTRACT
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers provide interdisciplinary recommendations for managing adult CNS cancers. Primary and metastatic brain tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with varied outcomes and management strategies. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the NCCN CNS Cancers Panel's discussion and highlight notable changes in the 2015 update. This article outlines the data and provides insight into panel decisions regarding adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy treatment options for high-risk newly diagnosed low-grade gliomas and glioblastomas. Additionally, it describes the panel's assessment of new data and the ongoing debate regarding the use of alternating electric field therapy for high-grade gliomas.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Neoplasms/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Adult , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To review the symptoms frequently observed with brain tumors, focusing on the descriptions, causes, treatments, and nursing implications. DATA SOURCES: Research and review articles and textbooks. CONCLUSION: Patients with brain tumors commonly have symptoms caused by the tumor or treatment. Treatment approaches for these symptoms will help the patient cope with those impairments caused by the symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The nurse can help move the patient toward a good quality of life by being aware of the symptoms and setting a plan to manage the symptoms with a patient and caregiver. Periodic reassessment is required to maintain continuity of care.
