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NICE guidance on the use of carmustine wafers in high grade gliomas: a national study on variation in practice

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

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Authors

Price, SJ 
Whittle, IR 
Ashkan, K 
Grundy, P 
Cruickshank, G 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) working in oncology aims to improve outcomes for patients with cancer. One role is to ensure the implementation of best practice and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance. In this study, we have assessed the role of MDT in implementing the TA121 appraisal of the use of carmustine wafers in high grade gliomas. METHODS: 296 patients with high-grade glioma suitable for maximal resection were recruited from 17 Neurosurgical Centres. The number of patients treated with carmustine wafers and reasons for not using this were recorded. Complications at 48 hours post-operatively and at 6 weeks post-radiotherapy were recorded. RESULTS: 94/296 (32%) of suitable patients received carmustine wafers. In 55% of cases carmustine was not used due to either surgeon preference or a lack of an MDT decision. There was no increased complication rate with carmustine use at either 48 hours post-surgery or at 6 weeks post radiotherapy. Use of carmustine wafers did not decrease access to and use of chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: One third of patients suitable for carmustine wafers received them. Their use was neither associated with more frequent complications, nor decreased use of chemoradiotherapy. Implementation of NICE TA121 Guidance is extremely variable in different MDTs across the United Kingdom.

Description

Keywords

Aged, Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating, Brain Neoplasms, Carmustine, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Glioma, Guideline Adherence, Humans, Length of Stay, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Care Team, Postoperative Complications, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Treatment Outcome

Journal Title

British Journal of Neurosurgery

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0268-8697
1360-046X

Volume Title

26

Publisher

Taylor & Francis
Sponsorship
Stephen Price is funded by a Clinician Scientist Award from the National Institute for Health Research. This study was sponsored through an unrestricted educational grant from Archimedes Pharma (Reading, Berks, UK).