Pseudoprogression: Patient experience and nursing in uncertainty.

Pseudoprogression: Patient experience and nursing in uncertainty. Can J Neurosci Nurs. 2015;37(2):35-41 Authors: Miller CA Abstract Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in humans and has a limited survival (median of 14.6 months). The goal of treatment is supportive rather than curative. Patients with a GBM struggle with uncertainty related to the illness trajectory. This uncertainty is compounded when possible progression is noted on imaging. Pseudoprogression (PsP) is an early treatment-related effect where there are apparent imaging changes suggesting progression, which then improve or stabilize through time. This paper provides a review of the literature on PsP in patients with high-grade gliomas. Insights in the patient and family experience of PsP will be informed by Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Theory, research on patients' and families' neuro-oncology experience, and the author's nursing practice. Nursing implications will be proposed. PMID: 26647493 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing - Category: Nursing Tags: Can J Neurosci Nurs Source Type: research