Specialty Focused Recordings: Neuro-Oncology-2024 Amplify Neuro-Oncology Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The AANN Amplify Virtual Symposium opened with moderator Cindy Bautista sharing upcoming deadlines: evaluations were due October 31; award nominations and several conference abstracts were due September 30 or November 1, depending on the event. Attendees were encouraged to use the #AANNAmplify hashtag.<br /><br />Dr. Brad Benin, a palliative-care provider, explained that palliative care supports quality of life, symptom management, prognostication, and goals-of-care discussions alongside ongoing treatment; hospice generally focuses on comfort near the end of life. He reviewed the SPIKES framework for difficult conversations, decision-making and advance directives, caregiver support, and the use of low-dose morphine for breathlessness. He also emphasized empathy, clear communication, and self-care for clinicians.<br /><br />Neuropathologist Dr. Sarah Bach described how brain-tumor classification has evolved from microscope-based diagnosis to integrating molecular markers. Molecular testing can improve diagnostic precision, prognosis, and treatment selection, though it adds cost and time. Examples included IDH and 1p/19q alterations, MGMT promoter methylation and temozolomide response, and BRAF mutations that may guide targeted therapy.<br /><br />Dr. Sean Mahes reviewed treatment standards and clinical trials for glioblastoma and brain metastases. Topics included temozolomide, tumor-treating fields, repeat radiation, immunotherapy combinations, preoperative radiosurgery, hippocampal avoidance, and memantine to reduce cognitive effects of whole-brain radiation. He highlighted the growing focus on individualized treatment and quality of life.<br /><br />The session concluded with questions, discussion of access to molecular testing and clinical trials, and an invitation to network and attend the symposium’s neurocritical-care session.

Keywords

AANN Amplify Virtual Symposium

palliative care

hospice

SPIKES framework

advance directives

brain tumor classification

molecular markers

glioblastoma treatment

brain metastases

temozolomide

tumor-treating fields

immunotherapy

memantine

neurocritical care