Practice Patterns Related to Mitigation of Neurocognitive Decline in Patients Receiving Whole Brain Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Purpose: Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is often used as an effective treatment for patients with brain metastasis, although it is also known to have deleterious cognitive effects. Multiple trials have identified strategies to help mitigate neurocognitive decline after WBRT, although there may be barriers to integrating these techniques into routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to characterize national practice patterns related to neurocognitive preservation strategies used during WBRT. Methods and Materials: We conducted an online survey of all American Society for Radiation Oncology-registered radiation oncologists (ROs), excluding trainees, regarding their practice patterns and attitudes toward employing memantine and hippocampal avoidance whole brain radiation therapy (HA-WBRT). Pearson χ2 tests for categorical variables or Student t tests for continuous variables were used to assess associations between provider characteristics and prescribing of either memantine or HA. All statistical tests were 2-sided and a P value < .001), whereas HA was more likely prescribed by central nervous system specialists (P < .001) and ROs in academic settings (P = .04). Conclusions: Our survey suggests that the majority of respondents offer approaches for neurocognitive preservation during WBRT for their patients. Further efforts are needed to broaden education and reduce barriers among ROs to improve implementation of neurocognitive-sparing techniques in patients undergoing WBRT.