Effect of Brain Metastasis Treatment on Quality of Life

EP: 1.Cancer Types Associated With Brain Metastases

EP: 2.Discussing the Potential for Brain Metastases With Patients

EP: 3.Ivy’s Journey With Stage IV Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain

EP: 4.Katie’s Journey With Stage IV Ocular Melanoma That Has Spread to the Brain

EP: 5.Understanding Your Risk for Brain Metastases

EP: 6.Importance of the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)

EP: 7.The Diagnosis of Brain Metastases

EP: 8.Experiencing a Diagnosis of Brain Metastases

EP: 9.The Importance of a Support System During a Diagnosis of Brain Metastases

EP: 10.Goals of Treatment for Cancer Which Has Spread to the Brain

EP: 11.Discussing Goals of Treatment With Patients and Caregivers

EP: 12.Role of Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases

EP: 13.Systemic Therapies Used for Cancer That Has Spread to the Brain

EP: 14.Factors Considered When Selecting Treatment for Brain Metastases

EP: 15.Importance of Clinical Trial Enrollment for Patients With Brain Metastases

EP: 16.Personal Concerns With Treatment Options for Brain Metastases

EP: 17.Individual Assessment of Treatment Success With Brain Metastases

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EP: 18.Effect of Brain Metastasis Treatment on Quality of Life

EP: 19.Feeling Supported During the Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Metastases

EP: 20.A Caregiver’s Perspective on Treatment Success

EP: 21.Improving Outcomes for Patients With Brain Metastases

Priscilla Brastianos, MD: Tell us, what effect did treatment have on your quality of life and how important is quality of life in all of this?

Ivy Elkins: My quality of life, other than the first three months post-diagnosis when I needed to wear a neck brace, has been fantastic, to tell you the truth. I feel good, I have minimal side effects, I have lots of energy. I’m able to do whatever I want. People who don’t know me would have no idea that I’m living with stage IV lung cancer, seriously. I have no issues with my quality of life. Even when I had surgery in 2020, I was able to bounce back from that really well. I continue to work out on a daily basis, and I really am living very well despite the cancer.

Priscilla Brastianos, MD: That’s amazing. It also speaks to what an amazing person you are. Katie, how about you?

Katie Doble: The same. I honestly think my quality of life has improved so much compared to pre-cancer. I’m a happier person, I think I’m a kinder person. It opened my eyes to how lucky I am, so I appreciate that. One of the lasting side effects of one of my treatments is that I struggle to breathe when I am deep belly laughing, which is one of my favorite things in life, because when you’re really deep belly laughing, you know life is good. That happens with us on a daily basis because Nick is funny, and our dog is hysterical. At least once a day I’m laughing so hard that I can’t breathe, and yes, it’s a side effect from treatment, but it makes me live in that moment. It makes me realize you are lucky to be experiencing this joy in this moment. I always say I wouldn’t go back and change my diagnosis. It’s made me live life so much richer than I was before. I treat my body better, I treat others better, we soak up every day, and we know how lucky we are that we get to be here.

Priscilla Brastianos, MD: That’s incredible. Dr. Gondi can also speak to this, but I’ve had several patients who have told me that a cancer diagnosis was a blessing to them because it changed their life in multiple positive ways. I don’t know, Dr. Gondi, if you wanted to speak to that, too.

Vinai Gondi, MD: I wish all Zoom calls had a reference to Seinfeld and Transformers. But your stories, honestly, they touch all of us. It touches anybody who is watching this and listening to this. It gives everybody hope. I say that oftentimes with my patients, and ironically with my kids. Memories and milestones, that’s what life is all about, and sometimes a cancer diagnosis gives us an unfortunate reminder of that. But I’m glad you are doing well, and I’m glad you are reaching those memories and milestones.

Transcript Edited for Clarity