The minimization of side effects from chemoradiation could result in improved rates of survival in patients with brain cancer, research has shown.
A study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, found that the presence of early side effects such as fatigue and loss of short-term memory, which are associated with the treatment, is linked to late side effects and overall survival rates of patients with the brain injury.
Glioma patients who did not experience early side effects of the treatment were found to live an average of four months longer than those who did.
Yaacov Richard Lawrence, of Thomas Jefferson University, explained: "It is generally considered that the only way to improve survival in malignant brain tumors is to more effectively attack the tumor.
"Fascinatingly, our research suggests that damage to surrounding normal tissue may also play a role in determining a patient's long term outcome."
This follows news that harmful imaging procedures on emergency patients could be reduced.
A CD-ROM could potentially be used when the patient is sent to a second hospital to transfer the patient's diagnostic medical images from one institution to the next, according to research published in the journal Radiology.
News by Serious Law. Expert legal assistance for those affected by brain injury
Posted by Matthew Heap
