Solid Tumors

Maintaining Survival While Improving Quality of Life: An Advanced Practitioner–Led Pilot Feasibility Study to Reduce Radiation Dose in Children With Brain Tumors

Jennifer L. Raybin,(1) PhD, RN, CPNP, Andrew Donson,(1) Nicholas K. Foreman,(1) MRCP, Rajeev Vibhakar,(1) MD, Michael H. Handler,(1) MD, and Arthur K. Liu,(2) MD, PhD

Purpose: Oncology advanced practitioners (APs) are on the front line in treating adverse effects. Among children with brain tumors, treatments such as craniospinal irradiation (CSI) cause neurocognitive injury, endocrinopathies, and otot...

Guess What Is in My Brain

Catherine Joseph, MSN, APN, AGACNP-BC

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is an important diagnostic tool used by neurologists. This article explores the workup and management for a patient with a brain lesion and highlights the importance of neuroimaging. Similari...

Distress in Neuro-Oncology Patients and Its Implications for Communication

Carolin Roos,(1) Johannes Weller,(1) MD, Christiane Landwehr,(1) Anja Sciermoch,(2) Cathrina Duffy,(1) MD, Karoline Kohlmann,(1) MD, Christina Schaub,(1) MD, Theophilos Tzaridis,(1) MD, Matthias Schneider,(2) MD, Patrick Schuss,(2) MD, Ulrich Herrlinger,(1) MD, and Niklas Schäfer,(1) MD

Psychoemotional distress affects patients with cancer, including patients with a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor. Empathy, professional expertise, and conversational skills are required to ensure successful communication with patien...

Managing the Patient With Multiple Primary Tumors

Presented by Holly Chitwood, DNP, APRN, FNP, AGACNP, and Tamara Carey, MSN, APRN, FNP

Multiple primaries are defined as more than one synchronous or metachronous cancer in the same individual. They can pose challenges to clinicians, as the goal is to find an anticancer therapy strategy that covers both cancer types withou...

Adherence to Prophylactic Anticonvulsant Guidelines for Newly Diagnosed Brain Tumor Patients: A Quality Improvement Study

Dan Beverly Fu,(1) DNP, MBA, NP-C, Xiao-Tang Kong,(1) MD, PhD, Tener Goodwin Veenema,(2) PhD, MPH, MS, Daniela A. Bota,(1) MD, PhD, and Binu Koirala,(3) PhD, MGS, RN

Background and Purpose: Clinical guidelines suggest that prophylactic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) should be given to newly diagnosed seizure-naive brain tumor patients for up to 1 week after craniotomy. Yet, data suggest that prophylactic...

Utilizing a Palliative Care Screening Tool in Patients With Glioblastoma

Jung Young Kim,(1) DNP, APRN, ANP, Katherine B. Peters,(1) MD, PhD, FAAN, James E. Herndon II,(2) PhD, and Mary Lou Affronti,(1) DNP, RN, MHSc, ANP

Patients with glioblastoma have poor overall survival and experience significant burden from neurologic decline and adverse treatment effects. Despite the well-known benefits of early palliative care integration with oncology care, utili...

Implementation of Survivorship Care Plans in Patients With Glioblastoma

Casey B. Brown,(1) DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, Deborah Allen,(1) PhD, RN, CNS, FNP-BC, AOCNP®, Christina Cone,(1) DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®, and Susan M. Schneider,(2) PhD, RN, AOCN®, ACNS-BC, FAAN

Background: The outcomes and survival of patients diagnosed with glioblastoma are improving due to advancements in therapy and better symptom management. Focusing on survivorship is an important initiative for these patients. A quality i...

Development of a Professional Practice Model for Neuro-oncology Advanced Practitioners at an Academic Medical Center: A Quality Improvement Project

Christina K. Cone,(1) DNP, APRN, ANP, AOCNP®, and Mary Lou Affronti,(2) DNP, RN, MHSc, ANP

Abstract In medicine, neuro-oncology practice falls outside the scope of established practice requirements for the specialties of neurology, medical oncology, and neurosurgery, justifying the prerequisite of specialized training to prac...

Immunotherapy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Management of Side Effects and Complications

Despite more intensive therapy, high-risk neuroblastoma continues to be a challenging disease to treat. Postconsolidation immunotherapy has been studied for many years and has proven to be effective in clinical trials. Immunotherapy has ...