Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.8
4.4
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors
cancers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 5962

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Priya U. Kumthekar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Interests: brain metastases; brain tumors; leptomeningeal disease; clinical trials; quality of life
Dr. Akanksha Sharma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pacific Neuroscience Institute/Saint John's Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
Interests: palliative care; brain tumors; spinal cord tumors; brain metastases; quality of life
Dr. Margaret Johnson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
Interests: palliative care; brain tumors; spinal cord tumors; brain metastases; quality of life

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on “Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors” delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by patients with brain tumors and their care partners. The quality of life in this patient population encompasses multiple domains—physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, social, financial. It affects more than the patient (heavily impacting the care partner(s)), evolves over time, and is impacted by existing inequities in healthcare. This Special Issue aims to present updates, original research, and expert perspectives on these critical aspects within this topic. We aspire to highlight advancements while emphasizing the ongoing need to improve the patient and caregiver experience in this field.

Dr. Priya U. Kumthekar
Dr. Akanksha Sharma
Dr. Margaret Johnson
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • quality of life
  • palliative care
  • patient reported outcomes
  • survivorship
  • caregiver distress
  • symptom management

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

Jump to: Other

15 pages, 432 KB  
Review
The Impact of Sociodemographic Disparities on Health-Related Quality of Life for Adults with Gliomas
by Michael A. Perez, Devon C. Riegel and Joshua Amit Budhu
Cancers 2026, 18(5), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18050718 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 707
Abstract
Health-related quality of life is a multidimensional concept used to describe one’s well-being in relation to their disease. Individuals with gliomas, the most commonly occurring malignant primary brain tumor, experience a multitude of symptoms due to their disease and treatments. Using the World [...] Read more.
Health-related quality of life is a multidimensional concept used to describe one’s well-being in relation to their disease. Individuals with gliomas, the most commonly occurring malignant primary brain tumor, experience a multitude of symptoms due to their disease and treatments. Using the World Health Organization’s health-related quality-of-life model, we review the impact of this disease across each domain of the model. Furthermore, we summarize known sociodemographic disparities that contribute to inequities in health-related quality of life and highlight areas that require further investigation. Finally, we discuss potential areas for innovation to better address current gaps and inequities affecting the health-related quality of life of individuals with gliomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 984 KB  
Review
Person-Centered Care in Glioblastoma: The Art of Early Advance Care Planning
by Jennifer Serventi and Nimish Mohile
Cancers 2026, 18(3), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030413 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 798
Abstract
Advance care planning (ACP) is fundamentally important for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a grim prognosis. The urgency for early ACP is profoundly amplified by the characteristic, progressive neurocognitive decline that frequently impairs critical reasoning and [...] Read more.
Advance care planning (ACP) is fundamentally important for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), a highly aggressive primary brain tumor with a grim prognosis. The urgency for early ACP is profoundly amplified by the characteristic, progressive neurocognitive decline that frequently impairs critical reasoning and leads to the loss of decisional capacity. ACP is a proactive process ensuring that future medical interventions align with a patient’s deeply held values and goals. Proactive ACP discussions are associated with less aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care, improved quality of life for patients and care partners, earlier hospice enrollment, and reduced psychological distress for surrogate decision makers. Despite guidelines recommending early integration, ACP prevalence remains low due to clinician discomfort with EOL discussions, a perceived lack of adequate training, and a widespread “culture of shared avoidance”. Experts recommend initiating ACP at or shortly after diagnosis, normalizing it as standard cancer care. Using structured communication strategies, such as the REMAP tool, and empowering allied health providers to champion these conversations are key integration strategies. Ultimately, early and skillful ACP is an ethical imperative that safeguards patient autonomy and minimizes the burden on loved ones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 427 KB  
Review
Nutrition and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors: A Scoping Review
by Jude Banihani, Stephanie Cramer and Jethro Hu
Cancers 2026, 18(3), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030392 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 926
Abstract
Background/Objective: Nutrition plays a significant role in quality of life (QoL); however, information regarding the effects of nutritional interventions for brain tumors patients is limited. The objective of this scoping review is to analyze existing literature on nutrition and its impact on [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Nutrition plays a significant role in quality of life (QoL); however, information regarding the effects of nutritional interventions for brain tumors patients is limited. The objective of this scoping review is to analyze existing literature on nutrition and its impact on QoL in brain tumor patients. Methods: Using the PubMed database in July 2025, this scoping review identified original studies written in English using the keywords: nutrition, brain cancer, QoL, and diet. Using the ChatGPT5 prompts: “I’m looking for journal articles and clinical trials with brain cancer, nutrition, quality of life” in July 2025 and “I’m looking for research articles assessing quality of life in brain tumor patients on ketogenic diet” in December 2025, additional articles were identified. Studies investigating the implementation of nutritional interventions (specific diets, supplements) and effects on QoL in brain tumor patients of all ages were included. Reviews were not included, but original articles cited within the reviews were. Articles were reviewed by the authors for selection, and a total of twelve articles pertaining to eleven studies were identified. Results: Nine studies focused on the utilization of ketogenic diets (KD). One study pertained to protein supplementation, and another study discussed enteral and parental nutrition. Six studies reported positive effects on QoL, three reported no statistical significance, and one study reported a negative effect. One study had mixed results of a positive effect in one area and no statistical significance effects in another. Universal conclusions on QoL were limited since many studies had small sample sizes, lacked control subjects, and utilized self-reporting rather than standardized assessment tools. Conclusions: This review revealed that the evidence regarding the effect of KD on QoL in brain tumor patients is encouraging but limited. Data regarding the impact of other dietary interventions is insufficient to draw conclusions. Additional research is necessary. Future studies should consider (1) increasing recruitment to yield larger sample sizes, (2) standardizing nutritional interventions, (3) utilizing control subjects, and (4) utilizing standardized assessment tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Review

8 pages, 223 KB  
Opinion
Does Cachexia Matter for Glioblastoma Multiforme?
by Ryan Kelly, Lydia Henderson and Ishan Roy
Cancers 2026, 18(2), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020333 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Cachexia is a muscle-wasting syndrome that has a 50% overall prevalence across all cancers and is known to affect both survival and quality of life. However, its measurement, classification, and impact in individuals with primary brain tumors is unclear. Now, evidence is emerging [...] Read more.
Cachexia is a muscle-wasting syndrome that has a 50% overall prevalence across all cancers and is known to affect both survival and quality of life. However, its measurement, classification, and impact in individuals with primary brain tumors is unclear. Now, evidence is emerging that cachexia has a direct effect on both clinical and physical function outcomes for individuals with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Herein, we outline a standardized approach to the diagnosis of cachexia in the GBM population, incorporating several available clinical tools to ensure the link between clinical prognosis and quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors)
16 pages, 1321 KB  
Systematic Review
Occurrence Rates of Delirium in Brain Tumor Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Zachary Tentor, Alexander Finnemore, Paul J. Miller, Joshua Davis, Erika Juarez Martinez, Charlotta Lindvall, Eyal Y. Kimchi and John Y. Rhee
Cancers 2025, 17(12), 1998; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17121998 - 15 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2058
Abstract
Background: The occurrence (incidence or prevalence) of delirium in brain tumors is unknown, yet delirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and worse quality of life. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the occurrence of delirium in hospitalized [...] Read more.
Background: The occurrence (incidence or prevalence) of delirium in brain tumors is unknown, yet delirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and worse quality of life. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the occurrence of delirium in hospitalized patients with brain tumors. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for papers from 1 January 1999 to 12 July 2024, including references from texts. Cross-sectional, prospective, and other cohort study designs were included, and individual case reports, case series, editorials, and reviews were excluded. The included papers were scored using a validated sensitivity analysis tool and tested for quality and bias using funnel plots and Egger’s test. We used random effects models for the summary estimates. We performed subgroup analyses by tumor type, tumor location, delirium subtype, and length of stay. Results: Of the 452 studies screened, 27 were included, representing 35,958 patients. The overall occurrence of delirium was 0.17 (95% CI [0.11–0.24]). Delirium occurrence in patients with low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas, and brain metastases was 0.10 [0.06–0.16], 0.21 [0.10–0.40], and 0.31 [0.16–0.50], respectively. Compared to the occipital lobe, there was a higher occurrence of delirium for tumors in the frontal (RR 3.08 [1.35–8.22]) and temporal lobes (RR 2.88 [1.22–7.93]). The patients were more likely to have hypoactive (RR 1.61 [1.30; 1.98]) than hyperactive delirium. Delirium was associated with 4.62 additional hospitalized days compared to those without delirium (CI [3.23–6.01]). Discussion: We confirmed high occurrence rates of delirium in patients hospitalized with brain tumors. Patients with brain metastases had a higher occurrence of delirium compared to patients with gliomas, and delirium occurrence rates were higher in patients with frontotemporal tumors. Delirium occurrence rates in the literature are very heterogeneous and point toward a need for tailored assessments in patients with brain tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumors)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop