QLTI-23. BRAIN TUMOR-RELATED PAIN: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the various innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating patients presenting with brain tumor-related pain. BACKGROUND Brain tumors make up for lower than 2% of all cancers, which is heavily linked to high morbidity, deteriorated quality of life, and the death of the affected patients. Glioblastoma (GBM) makes up 38% of the malignant brain glioma.The main treatment approaches for gliomas are widely dependent on chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, these methods have been associated with vast side effects which constitute the quality of life of the patient. METHODS This systematic review and meta-analysis conformed to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 3025 studies were assessed through the eligibility criteria to remain with twenty eligible studies. The included studies were then grouped into two categories; group one comprised 14 studies that focused on an innovative approach to diagnosis and treatment of gliomas, and six studies comprised of studies that focused on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with brain tumors. RESULTS Twenty studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed independently and in two groups: diagnosis and treatment and quality of life issues of brain tumor patients. In one group, one study revealed a relatively progression-free survival (PFS) going up to 57 weeks and overall survival (OS) time of more than 20 weeks after the initial surgery. Group two indicated HRQoL issues associated with symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, trauma, cognitive and personality dysfunction, leg weakness, and neurological deficits. CONCLUSION Timely diagnosis of the gliomas has significant improvements to the overall survival. Treatment approaches explored in the studies include Temozolomide (TZ), Gliadel Wafer, immunogeno-type, peptide vaccination, Bevacizumab, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and Temsirolimus. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been linked to a deteriorated quality of life of the patients