Brain Tumor, DIPG clinical trials

HRQL and Symptom Assessment for Patients With DIPG or Recurrent and Re-irradiated Brain Tumours and Their Caregivers

Although many children with brain tumours are successfully cured of their disease, a substantial proportion of patients suffer disease recurrence and require further treatment. This therapy may involve a repeat course of radiation (RT2). Based on retrospective data, re-irradiation may provide palliative and even potentially curative benefit. However, such retrospective data are subject to bias, which may over-report survival and under-report toxicity. Furthermore, we do not know how re-irradiation affects patients' HRQOL. The goal of this research is to prospectively describe the HRQOL of patients diagnosed with DIPG and recurrent brain tumors and their families before and after re-irradiation to more accurately assess the benefit versus the toxicity of this treatment. In addition, if we are able to demonstrate the feasibility of collecting HRQOL information on a routine basis we will be able to justify the need to conduct this research further and implement HRQOL screening as a standard of care for these patients. Re-irradiation for children with DIPG and recurrent brain tumours will not cure these children from their disease but may improve neurological function and wellbeing. We postulate that the opportunity of more time to say the final good bye and creating memories will facilitate bereavement and prevent psychological dysfunction of parents and siblings. A greater understanding of what helps these families may enable clinicians to better support these children and their families in this difficult disease course. Ultimately our goal is to improve the psychological experience of these patients and their families.