Radiotherapy for a brain tumour or metastasis? Your voice counts!

Radiotherapy for a brain tumour or metastasis? Your voice counts!
The Precision Imaging team at the University of Nottingham wants to hear from patients and caregivers to guide research in brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS).

We are looking for patients and/or caregivers to join an online workshop up to 3 times in 1 year. These workshops provide a supportive group setting where you can connect with others who have similar experiences. If you have received radiotherapy/radiosurgery, or if your loved one has, please share the experience and help shape future research plans,.

You'll have the opportunity to share insights alongside fellow patients and caregivers in a safe, collaborative environment. Many find it valuable to connect with others facing similar challenges in a supportive, structured setting.If you prefer not to attend group meetings, it would be possible to speak to the team on a 1-2-1 basis or email your opinion.

What the study is about

Today many people with cancer live longer but they may get secondary tumours (metastases) in the brain. These metastases can be destroyed by targeted radiation therapy. The treatment works well but may cause a side effect called radiation necrosis (RN) where healthy tissue around the tumour is damaged. RN can be symptom free or cause severe headaches, seizures and stroke-like symptoms.

RN causes inflammation that looks like tumour regrowth on MRI scans. Doctors can only tell the difference between cancer recurrence and RN by watching scans over many months, or by brain surgery. Because RN looks so similar, there is always a worry that it could be cancer. Further targeted radiotherapy may be given to the already treated area, which tends to make RN worse. This can be a stressful time for patients and their families.

This project aims to develop a new diagnostic test that can distinguish between cancer recurrence and RN. If we are successful the new test could help people get the right treatment sooner, avoid overtreatment, lower the number of investigations and potentially reduce stress and anxiety.
We want your help to develop this project, and to co-design a possible future trial with people’s lived-experience to ensure what is most important to the patient is prioritised, and our subsequent funding application is welcoming and inclusive to all.

Your input will help shape the new test being developed and the future research (subject to further funding) to test it in clinical practice. This may well improve the lives and quality of care of people undergoing a similar clinical pathway to you.