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Neurological Complications Study Group
Goals, Mission and Annual Meeting Minutes
Chair:
Mike Glantz, M.D.,P
Professor of Oncology, Neurosurgery, and Neurology
Huntsman Cancer Institute
University of Utah School of Medicine
2000 Circle of Hope, Suite 2126
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5550
Telephone: 801-585-0270 / FAX: 801-585-0159
Email: Michael.glantz@hci.utah.edu
and mjg@massmed.org
Introduction
Since the birth of oncology as a distinct medical discipline, oncologists have considered myelosuppression and its attendant problems to be the dose-limiting and most important toxicities of radiation and chemotherapy. Within the last decade, however, the availability of colony stimulating factors, and dramatic improvements in transfusion medicine, antibiotic therapy, and supportive care have made the bone marrow more robust. Today, a strong case can be made that the nervous system has replaced the bone marrow as the most important dose-limiting end organ for cancer therapy. Similarly, for the growing number of cancer survivors, the nervous system rather than the hematopoietic system more frequently effects the quality of survival and the economic productivity of survivors. At the same time, longer survival, more effective systemic therapies, and the relative inaccessibility of the nervous system to these therapies has resulted in a steady increase in the frequency of direct nervous system involvement by non-nervous system cancer.
All components of the central and peripheral nervous system are susceptible to injury by cancer therapy. Among the most prominent targets are the brain (resulting in cognitive impairment, neuroendocrine dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and social disintegration) and the peripheral nerves (resulting in neuropathy). The brain, spinal epidural space and leptomeninges are all common nervous system targets for metastatic spread of tumor and subsequent neurologic compromise.
Purpose
The guiding purpose of the Neurologic Complications Study Group is to raise awareness within the healthcare community and among patients and advocacy groups about the frequency, importance, and complexity of these problems. In order to accomplish this goal, the group will initiate and support collaborative research designed to expand our knowledge regarding the nature, treatment, and prevention of neurologic complications. We will also act as a resource for information about these problems, and develop evidence-based guidelines where supported by existing research. Because these issues have only recently garnered attention from the academic community, research regarding the characteristics, risk factors, and frequency are limited.
Objectives
The Study Group intent is to focus on the following objectives:
- Develop reliable assessment tools
- Assess internationally potential variation in the significance of these neurological complications.
- Survey membership opinions and needs regarding neurological complications
- Contribute both program content to Association meetings and practical resources to the study group’s MASCC web site.
Because these problems are important to all groups of patients with cancer, a multidisciplinary approach will be essential. In particular, we will promote close collaboration with the Psychosocial Oncology and the Rehabilitation and Survivorship Study Groups.
Neurological Complications Study Group Minutes - MASCC/ISOO Annual Symposium
 2008 Minutes (PDF) - Houston, Texas |
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