Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, St James's University Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Support Care Cancer. 2023 May 27;31(6):356. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07818-z.
People with primary malignant brain tumors (PMBT) undergo anti-tumor treatment and are followed up with MRI interval scans. There are potential burdens and benefits to interval scanning, yet high-quality evidence to suggest whether scans are beneficial or alter outcomes of importance for patients is lacking. We aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of how adults living with PMBTs experience and cope with interval scanning.
Twelve patients diagnosed with WHO grade III or IV PMBT from two sites in the UK took part. Using a semi-structured interview guide, they were asked about their experiences of interval scans. A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to analyze data.
Although most participants found interval scans uncomfortable, they accepted that scans were something that they had to do and were using various coping methods to get through the MRI scan. All participants said that the wait between their scan and results was the most difficult part. Despite the difficulties they experienced, all participants said that they would rather have interval scans than wait for a change in their symptoms. Most of the time, scans provided relief, gave participants some certainty in an uncertain situation, and a short-term sense of control over their lives.
The present study shows that interval scanning is important and highly valued by patients living with PMBT. Although interval scans are anxiety provoking, they appear to help people living with PMBT cope with the uncertainty of their condition.
患有原发性脑恶性肿瘤（PMBT）的患者接受抗肿瘤治疗，并通过 MRI 间隔扫描进行随访。间隔扫描存在潜在的负担和益处，但缺乏高质量的证据表明扫描是否有益或改变对患者重要的结果。我们旨在深入了解患有 PMBT 的成年人如何体验和应对间隔扫描。
来自英国两个地点的 12 名被诊断为世界卫生组织（WHO）三级或四级 PMBT 的患者参与了此项研究。使用半结构化访谈指南，询问他们对间隔扫描的体验。采用建构主义扎根理论方法分析数据。
尽管大多数参与者认为间隔扫描不舒服，但他们接受了这是他们必须做的事情，并使用各种应对方法来完成 MRI 扫描。所有参与者都说，从扫描到结果之间的等待是最困难的部分。尽管他们经历了困难，但所有参与者都表示，他们宁愿进行间隔扫描，也不愿等待症状改变。大多数情况下，扫描提供了缓解，让患者在不确定的情况下获得了一些确定性，并在短期内对自己的生活有了一定的控制感。
本研究表明，间隔扫描对患有 PMBT 的患者非常重要且极具价值。尽管间隔扫描会引起焦虑，但它们似乎有助于患有 PMBT 的人应对病情的不确定性。
