Managing childhood cancer survivors at risk for stroke: Practice norms and areas of controversy.

Abstract

124 Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) treated with cranial radiation (CR) are at increased risk for stroke. There is no evidence to guide stroke prevention strategies for CSS. We aimed to describe regional practice norms for managing survivors at risk for stroke and to define areas where management is controversial. Methods: We conducted a Delphi panel of 30 physicians from the New England region who care for CCS, including primary care and specialists. Panelists anonymously answered 3 rounds of open ended questionnaires querying their management approach to a childhood brain tumor survivor treated with CR formatted as 5 clinical scenarios (asymptomatic, large and small vessel cerebral vascular disease (CVD), TIA, stroke), covering 5 categories of management (imaging, lab testing, medication, counseling, referrals). Consensus was defined as ≥ 90% of panelist agreeing with management option. Results: There was a 100% response rate for all 3 rounds of questionnaires. Of the 25 management questions related to 5 clinical scenarios, consensus was reached on 18 while 7 remained controversial. In the scenario of acute stroke symptoms, consensus was reached in all 5 categories of management. In the scenarios of large vessel CVD with symptoms of a TIA, large-vessel CVD without symptoms, and small-vessel CVD without symptoms panelists did not reach consensus on medication, specifically, aspirin use. The primary reasons for disagreement were no evidence for benefit/risk and beyond area of expertise. In the scenario of an asymptomatic survivor with no history of CVD panelists did not reach consensus on indication for MRI surveillance imaging, the primary reasons for disagreement were no clear benefit and risk of findings with uncertain clinical significance. Consensus was not reached on specialty referral patterns in any scenario except acute stroke. Conclusions: Despite lack of evidence to guide stroke prevention in childhood cancer survivors treated with CR, a panel of regional physicians reached consensus on managing most clinical scenarios. Controversial areas requiring further study are follow-up imaging for asymptomatic survivors, aspirin for stroke prophylaxis, and indications for sub-specialty referral.