Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation

Introduction: The optimal treatment for recurrent glioblastoma patients remains not well-defined in international guidelines. On top of that, the availability of national guidelines is uncharted. Research question: This study aimed to investigate the availability of national guidelines on the diagno...

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Main Authors: Mark P. van Opijnen, Rob J.A. Nabuurs, Filip Y.F. de Vos, Mohini T.R. Ramsoedh, Joost J.C. Verhoeff, Marjolein Geurts, Marike L.D. Broekman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Brain and Spine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424011792
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author Mark P. van Opijnen
Rob J.A. Nabuurs
Filip Y.F. de Vos
Mohini T.R. Ramsoedh
Joost J.C. Verhoeff
Marjolein Geurts
Marike L.D. Broekman
author_facet Mark P. van Opijnen
Rob J.A. Nabuurs
Filip Y.F. de Vos
Mohini T.R. Ramsoedh
Joost J.C. Verhoeff
Marjolein Geurts
Marike L.D. Broekman
author_sort Mark P. van Opijnen
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The optimal treatment for recurrent glioblastoma patients remains not well-defined in international guidelines. On top of that, the availability of national guidelines is uncharted. Research question: This study aimed to investigate the availability of national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of adult glioma throughout Europe, specifically focusing on recurrent glioblastoma. Material and methods: Medical specialists with neuro-oncology expertise from all European countries were asked for the availability of official national guidelines. The primary outcome was whether guidelines provided recommendations on the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma in adults. Secondary outcomes included treatment specific recommendations and the role of clinical trials in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. The quality of the guidelines was assessed using the AGREE II instrument. Results: Of the 50 countries in Europe, information on guideline availability was obtained for 38 countries (76%). In twelve countries (24%) national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of glioma in adults exist. Focusing on recurrent glioblastoma, nine (18%) of the European countries provided any recommendations on the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. In four (33%) guidelines it was explicitly stressed that there is currently no standard or evidence-based treatment for these patients. Discussion and conclusion: National guidelines on the treatment of glioblastoma in adults are not uniformly available in Europe. In addition, and in contrast with international guidelines, the national guidelines differ profoundly in their recommendations regarding recurrent glioblastoma. This could contribute to unwanted practice variation. Efforts are needed to not only optimize, but also harmonize treatment for recurrent glioblastoma patients.
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spelling doaj-art-32d8d3df3e1a44b39d86949a80a62adb2024-12-15T06:18:50ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942024-01-014103923Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variationMark P. van Opijnen0Rob J.A. Nabuurs1Filip Y.F. de Vos2Mohini T.R. Ramsoedh3Joost J.C. Verhoeff4Marjolein Geurts5Marike L.D. Broekman6Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Corresponding author. Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands.Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, Lijnbaan 32, 2512 VA, The Hague, the Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Haga Teaching Hospital, Els Borst-Eilersplein 275, 2545 AA, The Hague, the NetherlandsDepartment of Medical Oncology, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, the NetherlandsDepartment of Medicine, University of Leiden, Leiden, the NetherlandsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsBrain Tumor Center at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the NetherlandsDepartment of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, Lijnbaan 32, 2512 VA, The Hague, the NetherlandsIntroduction: The optimal treatment for recurrent glioblastoma patients remains not well-defined in international guidelines. On top of that, the availability of national guidelines is uncharted. Research question: This study aimed to investigate the availability of national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of adult glioma throughout Europe, specifically focusing on recurrent glioblastoma. Material and methods: Medical specialists with neuro-oncology expertise from all European countries were asked for the availability of official national guidelines. The primary outcome was whether guidelines provided recommendations on the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma in adults. Secondary outcomes included treatment specific recommendations and the role of clinical trials in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. The quality of the guidelines was assessed using the AGREE II instrument. Results: Of the 50 countries in Europe, information on guideline availability was obtained for 38 countries (76%). In twelve countries (24%) national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of glioma in adults exist. Focusing on recurrent glioblastoma, nine (18%) of the European countries provided any recommendations on the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. In four (33%) guidelines it was explicitly stressed that there is currently no standard or evidence-based treatment for these patients. Discussion and conclusion: National guidelines on the treatment of glioblastoma in adults are not uniformly available in Europe. In addition, and in contrast with international guidelines, the national guidelines differ profoundly in their recommendations regarding recurrent glioblastoma. This could contribute to unwanted practice variation. Efforts are needed to not only optimize, but also harmonize treatment for recurrent glioblastoma patients.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424011792GlioblastomaRecurrenceTreatmentGuidelinePractice variation
spellingShingle Mark P. van Opijnen
Rob J.A. Nabuurs
Filip Y.F. de Vos
Mohini T.R. Ramsoedh
Joost J.C. Verhoeff
Marjolein Geurts
Marike L.D. Broekman
Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
Brain and Spine
Glioblastoma
Recurrence
Treatment
Guideline
Practice variation
title Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
title_full Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
title_fullStr Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
title_full_unstemmed Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
title_short Recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas: A matter of European practice variation
title_sort recurrent glioblastoma in national guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gliomas a matter of european practice variation
topic Glioblastoma
Recurrence
Treatment
Guideline
Practice variation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424011792
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