Brain Metastases in Norway - A Prospective Cohort Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall aim and primary outcome of this study will be a descriptive analysis of the current treatment practice of BM in Norway. Specifically, it may give answers to the following research questions: What is the true incidence of BM in Norway? How are patients with BM treated at present? Do treatments differ between hospitals? How do treatments impact quality of life of the patients? Which factors (treatment, tumor and host variables) can explain disease control, survival, symptom relief, and general functions? How can BM staging be improved?

Official Title
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Brain Metastases in Norway - Improved Classification and Treatment. A Prospective Cohort Study

Conditions
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Brain Metastases

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Verified cancer diagnosis of solid tumors (based on radiological, histological/cytological or operative evidence). Brain metastases verified by computer tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or surgical biopsies Age ≥ 18 years Able to comply with study procedures Able to provide written informed consent after information in Norwegian Exclusion Criteria: Primary brain tumors Primary hematological malignancies (lymphomas, leukemias) Previous diagnosis and/or treatment of BM Unable to produce written informed consent after information in Norwegian

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Overall survival after diagnosis of brain metastases | Calculation of the overall survival times for each patient enrolled | Time from diagnosis of brain metastases till death of any cause, assessed up to 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Treatment offered to patients diagnosed with brain metastases | Description of treatment offered | 3 years | 
| Changes in patient reported symptoms and quality of life items through EORTC questionnaire QLQ PAL15 and submodule BN20 | Description of changes in patient reported outcomes through standardized questionnaires.European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire for Cancer Patients receiving palliative care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), covers items such as pain, physical and emotional functioning. The QLQ-BN20 contains questions on 7 single-item symptom scales (headaches, seizures, drowsiness, hair loss, itchy skin, leg weakness, and bladder control), and 4 multi-item scales (future uncertainty, visual disorder, motor dysfunction, and communication deficit). Patient's scores are translated into a scale from 1-100. A change of 10 points in one item is considered clinically significant. | Monthly up to 12 months after inclusion | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Treatment