Prophylactic cranial irradiation for preventing brain metastases in patients undergoing radical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer
Abstract Background In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is a relatively high incidence of brain metastases following radical treatment. At present, the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in this group of patients is not clear. This is an update of the original review published in 2005. Objectives To investigate whether PCI has a […]
Psychosocial interventions for reducing fatigue during cancer treatment in adults
Abstract Background Fatigue is a common symptom in cancer patients receiving active treatment. There are a limited number of reviews evaluating interventions for fatigue during active treatment, and they are restricted to patients with advanced cancer, or to patients during radiotherapy. To date there is no systematic review on psychosocial interventions for fatigue during cancer […]
Antiepileptic drugs for preventing seizures in people with brain tumors
Abstract Background Seizures can present at any time before or after diagnosis of a brain tumor. The risk of seizures varies by tumor type and its location in the brain. For a long time we believed that preventing seizures with antiepileptic drugs (seizure prophylaxis) was effective and necessary, but the supporting evidence was little and […]
Interventions before consultations for helping patients address their information needs
Abstract Background Patients often do not get the information they require from doctors and nurses. To address this problem, interventions directed at patients to help them gather information in their healthcare consultations have been proposed and tested. Objectives To assess the effects on patients, clinicians and the healthcare system of interventions which are delivered before […]
Chemotherapy for high-grade glioma
Abstract Background Trials on the effect of systemic chemotherapy on survival and recurrence in adults with high-grade glioma have had inconclusive results. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of such treatment on survival and recurrence. Objectives To compare radiotherapy plus chemotherapy with radiotherapy alone in completely resected adults with high-grade […]