Quality of Life and Patient Needs in Advanced High Grade Gliomas

Quality of Life and Patient Needs in Advanced High Grade Gliomas - A Prospective Study

There is limited knowledge regarding the quality of life and needs of patients with advanced high grade gliomas, especially during the end of life. By doing this research, we are able to assess caregiver and patient symptoms and needs during the end of life phase of patients with brain tumors.

Purpose: This is a pilot study to prospectively assess the symptoms and quality of life of patients and with advanced high grade glioma and their care takers.

Specific Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the symptoms of patients with advanced high grade glioma. Patients who failed 3rd line chemotherapy and who require at least occasional assistance will be prospectively followed and their symptoms will be prospectively assessed. Patient's caregiver will be interviewed following the death of the patient to assess clinical symptoms in the last weeks of life and around the time of death.

Methods: Patients will undergo clinical symptom assessment via questionnaire. Patients will be followed by regular semi-structured phone interviews.

Should a patient pass, four weeks following this, the patient's care giver will be interviewed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >18
• Tissue proven diagnosis of a high grade brain tumor
• Disease progression by MRI
• Therapy resistant tumor to 2nd line chemotherapy
• Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score of 60 or less
• Patient will need to assign caregiver

Exclusion Criteria:

• None