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Background Post-traumatic growth (PTG) has been extensively explored within general oncology, yet little is known about the experience of PTG in neuro-oncology. This study aimed to determine the representation of patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) in the PTG literature. Methods PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL were systematically searched from inception to December 2022. Search terms were related to personal growth and positive reactions to cancer. Articles were first screened by titles and abstracts, then full texts were reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method. Results A total of 382 articles met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 13 included patients with PBT. Over 100 000 cancer patients were represented, with 0.79% having a PBT. Most research focused on low-grade gliomas. PTG negatively correlated with post-traumatic stress symptoms and avoidant coping. In the sole longitudinal study, patients with PBT demonstrated improved PTG after 1 year. Three quasi-experimental studies investigated the effect of mindfulness-based interventions with mixed-cancer samples and demonstrated improvement in PTG. Conclusions The inclusion rate of patients with PBT in the PTG literature was significantly lower than the population prevalence rate (1.3% of cancer diagnoses). Relatively few studies focused exclusively on how patients with PBT experience PTG (k = 5), and those that did only included low-grade glioma. The experience of PTG in those with high-grade glioma remains unknown. Patients with PBT are scarcely included in research on PTG interventions. Few studies examined the relationship between PTG and medical, cognitive, or psychological characteristics. Our understanding of the PTG experience in neuro-oncology remains extremely limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To achieve patient-centric quality care in neuro-oncology, all aspects of the disease and its impact on quality survival need to be considered. This includes the psychological consequences of a brain tumor diagnosis and subsequent life-altering experiences. Far too often the voice of our patients is unheard. Empowering patients to advocate for their own psychological needs is essential. Methods Data were derived from four focus groups with adult patients with brain tumors (N = 15; M age = 46 years, 53% female). A trained moderator led each 90-min group and posed semi-structured questions regarding patients' care needs throughout their neuro-oncological disease trajectory. Emphasis was placed on the quality of life and distress reduction. Common themes were identified via thematic content analysis using NVivo software. A high inter-rater reliability (M kappa = 0.92, range = 0.85–0.93) was achieved. Two themes are presented here: Emotional Response to Stressors and Existential Considerations. Results Of the two themes presented, 14 codes emerged. Codes were classified into three broad categories: Fear, Despair, and Resilience. The frequency of each category ranged from 31.4% to 34.7%. Example quotes and a discussion of each category follows. Conclusions It is imperative that we include the patient perspective in the development of neuro-oncology programs, thereby considering the quality of survival in addition to quantity. Neuro-oncology quality care must be driven by our patients' experiences and should integrate support for emotional distress while promoting resilience throughout this life-threatening illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Patients with primary brain tumors (PwPBT) experience negative cognitive sequalae (cancer-related cognitive impairment; CRCI) as a result of tumor burden, surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Research investigating CRCI treatments for PwPBT remains nascent. Most of the previous investigations have applied interventions developed for and tested in other medical populations to PwPBT, leaving gaps in our understanding of what might best serve the specific needs of PwPBT. Thus, the present study examined sources of cancer-related distress and preferences for interventions to address CRCI in PwPBT. Methods: As part of institutional quality improvement, PwPBT rated specific symptoms of cancer-related distress (from "not at all" to "very much" bothered) as well as preferences for specific interventions to address or cope with CRCI (from "not at all" to "very" interested). Patients also self-reported demographics and medical characteristics. Descriptive statistics characterized sources of distress and treatment preferences. Results: PwPBT (N = 41, age 45.1 + 13.2, 52.5% male, 87.5% White) completed the questionnaire. Fatigue (54%) and cognitive changes (53%) were rated as the most distressing symptoms following brain tumor diagnosis. Cognitive rehabilitation (42%) and mindful movement (42%) were the most preferred interventions for management of CRCI; followed by psychotherapy (37%), mindfulness meditation (30%), and medication (20%). Discussion: As expected, cognitive changes were a highly-rated source of distress for PwPBT, second only to fatigue. Both formal cognitive rehabilitation and mindful movement, or gentle exercise like yoga, were the most preferred interventions for management of CRCI. Importantly, these interventions may dually address fatigue symptoms for PwPBT. These data can inform future intervention development within neuro-oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]