P18.01 * COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY USE IN A COHORT OF SWISS GLIOMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Within a short time from diagnosis glioma patients usually become aware that the tumor is incurable and that conventional therapies have only limited success. Therefore it is not uncommon that these patients seek second opinions or contact patient self-help groups. Moreover, it is common that patients seek for other treatments themselves, as an adjunct or alternative to conventional therapies. We here describe complementary therapy (CT) use in a cohort of glioma patients treated at three neuro-oncology centers in Switzerland. A previously developed questionnaire from the German Glioma Network was adapted for Swiss conditions and distributed consecutively in the outpatient clinics. We retrieved questionnaires from 139 patients with gliomas of WHO grades II to IV. Fifty-one percent of the participants reported the use of CT. The main motivation for the use of CT was to actively participate in the fight against the disease. However, only a minority of patients using CT was counselled and accompanied by a physician for this treatment. Regarding reimbursement, health insurances in Switzerland are obliged to cover the costs of some defined CT. However, reimbursement was crucial for only 30 percent of the patients in the decision for CT use. CT usage in glioma patients is more frequent in this Swiss cohort (51 %) compared to a cohort from the German Glioma Network (40 %) and probably heavily underestimated in general. Patients often use sources for information and therapeutics outside neuro-oncology centers and outside medical competence. Physicians involved in the treatment of glioma patients should be aware of self-treatments in addition to standard of care.