ABSTRACT
Quality of life The goal of all of the above treatments is not only to promote survival either by curing the tumor or by retarding its growth, but also to ensure that the patient sustains the best quality of life possible. A number of recent studies have addressed quality of life in patients being treated for high-grade brain tumors.145-147 Patients with brain tumors can suffer other symptoms such as depression or anxiety, which should be vigorously treated and do respond to therapy. Physical therapy can help patients to maximize their functional capacity. Occasionally, stimulants such as methylphenidate can improve a patient’s level of alertness and decrease lethargy.148 Although cognitive dysfunction and mood alterations are common, the quality of life does not appear worse than in patients with other chronic neurologic diseases. Most factors that affect the patient’s quality of life are related to the tumor rather than to the treatment.
