ArticleBMC cancer2023
Patient reported outcomes following whole brain radiotherapy in patients with brain metastases in NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center.
Article in BMC cancer, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastases in Nigeria: a systematic review.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
- Health-related quality-of-life of WHO grade 4 astrocytoma patients receiving alternating electrical field therapy: a prospective real-world multi-centre study.Journal of neuro-oncology · 2026Article
- Feasibility and utility of a tablet-based digital neurocognitive assessment following radiosurgery for brain metastases.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Digital oncology frameworks in Africa: a scoping review of architectural patterns, digital maturity, and data equity implications.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Survival and quality of life after first-time diagnosis of brain metastases: a multicenter, prospective, observational study.The Lancet regional health. Europe · 2025Article
- Article
- Presentation, management, and outcomes of central nervous system metastases in Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Neuro-oncology advancesReview
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundBrain metastases (BM) are a common complication in advanced cancer patients, and extremely challenging to treat. Consequently, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) remains the standard palliative intervention for patients with BM. The present study set to evaluate the clinical benefits of WBRT by assessing the quality of life (QoL) in WBRT-treated patients with BM, in Nigeria.
methodsThis was a prospective, longitudinal, hospital-based single-centre study. Consecutive sampling methodology was used to recruit 52 patients with BM undergoing WBRT. Patients were followed up on days 7, 30, 90 and 180 after WBRT. The EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL and EORTC QLQ-BN20 were employed to report patients' responses. The likert scale responses were linearly converted into 0 - 100 scores, and the descriptive analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0, at 95% confidence interval, using the two-tailed t-test for continuous variables or the chi-square test for categorical values. The overall survival was calculated with the Kaplan Maier method and the difference tested with Log-rank method, considering the interval from the baseline until death or end of the study.
resultsThe study cohort was predominantly females (82.7%), and accordingly, 65.4% of the respondents had a breast primary tumor. A goodness-of-fit test yielded non-significant Chi square Pearson (p = 0.325) and Deviance (p = 1.000) residuals, indicating the best fit. The median overall survival was 180 days (~ 6 months). A total of 20 patients (38%) that survived up to 180 days reported alleviated symptoms and better functioning. A significant improvement in physical functioning (p < 0.001) and emotional functioning (p = 0.031) was reported at 180 days post WBRT, compared to baseline.
conclusionsWBRT is an effective palliative intervention in patients with BM, resulting in improved QoL. More than 50% of patients that survived ~ 3 months reported alleviation of pain, and 38% of patients that survived for ~ 6 months reported a significantly improved functioning. This demonstrated the clinical benefits of WBRT in palliative care and will add to the body of data on the use of WBRT, from Africa.
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