Characteristics like seizures, location of the tumour, and pressure in the brain, give insight into length of survival and treatment options for brain tumour patients over the age of 70, according to new research* presented at the National Cancer Research Institute's (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
In order to understand which treatments would be most appropriate for different patients, we need to understand what features predict how long patients with the disease survive.
This new study looked at the records of 339 brain tumour patients over the age of 70. Overall, the study found that patients survived for an average of around four months and just four per cent were alive two years after their diagnosis**.
Researchers based at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, and The Royal Marsden Hospital, showed that patients with brain tumours who went to the doctor because of seizures were a third more likely to survive longer than those who presented with other symptoms such as speech impairment, confusion or weakness.
The study also found that patients with higher pressure on the brain tended not to live as long. And people with tumours deeper in the brain or on the cerebellum also fared worse.
Among brain tumour patients, those over the age of 70 are less likely than younger patients to survive a year after diagnosis, partly because they tend to have more aggressive forms of brain tumours or are frailer.
Around 34 per cent of all brain tumour cases are diagnosed in people over 70 in the UK every year - around 3700 cases. And about 2400 over 70s die from the disease each year***.
This research was supported by The Brain Tumour Charity.
Dr Cressida Lorimer, study author and researcher at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said: "Our study in brain tumour patients aged over 70 showed that scans at diagnosis played a crucial role in determining how long a patient was likely to survive - distinguishing the position of the tumour, if there are multiple tumours, and assessing the amount of pressure on the brain.
"There's an urgent need to improve survival and quality of life for brain tumour patients over the age of 70. And, because of a lack of research, it's difficult to make the best treatment decisions for individuals when they are sitting in front of you in the clinic.
"Next we need to develop a guide for clinicians to improve how we treat elderly patients and to make decisions that could enhance quality of life."
Dr Karen Kennedy, Director of the NCRI, said: "The outlook for brain tumour patients, especially for the elderly, is worryingly low. Research like this provides better evidence on which to base treatment decisions.
"The NCRI recognises the need to increase research activity in brain tumour research and, together with some of our Partners, we are working with the Department of Health and other key stakeholders, to find ways to address this."
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Notes to editor:
* NCRI abstract: First impressions count: Initial clinical and radiological features independently predict for overall survival in older patients with Glioblastoma
**Of the patients in the study, 13 per cent survived one year and 4 per cent survived two years after diagnosis.
For more information visit http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/type/brain-tumour/
*** Calculated by the Statistical Team at Cancer Research UK. Based on the annual average number of new cases and deaths from Brain, Other CNS and Intracranial Tumours, Malignant, Benign and Uncertain or Unknown (ICD10 C70-C72, C75.1-C75.3, D32-D33, D35.2-D35.4, D42-D43, D44.3-D44.5) in the UK between 2012-2014.
About the NCRI
The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a UK-wide partnership of cancer research funders, established in 2001. Its 19 member organisations work together to accelerate progress in cancer-related research through collaboration, to improve health and quality of life.
NCRI works to coordinate research related to cancer, to improve the quality and relevance of the research and to accelerate translation of the research into clinical practice for the benefit of patients.
NCRI Partners are: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Bloodwise; Breast Cancer Now; Cancer Research UK; Children with Cancer UK, Department of Health; Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); Macmillan Cancer Support; Marie Curie; Medical Research Council (MRC); Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Public Health Agency (Research & Development Department); Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund; Prostate Cancer UK; Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation; Scottish Government Health Directorates (Chief Scientist Office); Tenovus Cancer Care; The Wellcome Trust; Welsh Assembly Government (Health and Care Research Wales); and Worldwide Cancer Research.
For more information visit http://www.ncri.org.uk
About the NCRI Cancer Conference
The NCRI Cancer Conference is the UK's largest cancer research forum for showcasing the latest advances in British and international oncological research spanning basic and translational studies to clinical trials and patient involvement.
- The conference offers unique opportunities to network and share knowledge by bringing together world-leading experts from all cancer research disciplines.
- The NCRI Cancer Conference is taking place from 6-9 November 2016 at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool.
- For more information visit conference.ncri.org.uk; Twitter @NCRI_Partners; #NCRI2016