Capillary Blood Glucose Monitoring for Patients Receiving Radiotherapy For Primary Brain Tumours Prescribed Dexamethasone

Abstract

Background: Steroids, in particular dexamethasone are often used to reduce the oedema associated with brain tumours which can be exacerbated during radiotherapy. Prolonged use of dexamethasone in this patient group can result in symptomatic hyperglycaemia including fatigue, polyuria and polydipsia. Prolonged hyperglycaemia can also result in acute complications including risk of infection and metabolic complications. There was no system in place for regular blood glucose monitoring for patients taking dexamethasone and receiving radiotherapy for primary brain tumours at a tertiary cancer centre.