|
|
Article: Survey: Wide variation in brain cancer treatment; Some patients might not be getting appropriate care
- Article from:
- Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)
- Article date:
- February 2, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2005 Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
CHICAGO (AP) - Brain cancer in adults is a dreaded diagnosis with
few established treatment guidelines, resulting in wide variations in
care that can make things even worse for some patients, a study
suggests.
Nearly half of patients surveyed received no chemotherapy despite
evidence that it can boost survival. Anti-seizure drugs were widely
used even though most patients did not have seizures. And while
depression is common in people with brain cancer, more than 90
percent said they never were given antidepressants.
While there might have been valid reasons for the treatment
choices, the wide variation suggests some patients are not getting
appropriate care, said lead author Dr. Susan ...