Radiotherapy-related Tiredness in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Abstract

Tiredness may be caused by the brain injury due to the tumor or the treatment in patients with glioblastomamultiforme (GBM). Some patients describe a sense of tiredness particularly after radiation or oral chemotherapy.To evaluate tiredness level of patients with GBM during preoperative, postoperative and radiotherapy we hereeamined a sample of 38 patients. Data were collected over six months in a neurosurgery clinic. Patients assignedto Group I were given a booklet and information about radiotherapy, oral temozolomide and tiredness. GroupII received only the booklet. The chi-squared test were used to determine differences in tiredness betweenGroup I and Group II, with Spearman’s correlation for post-radiotherapy results (3 and 6 months postoperative).In conclusion, the level of tiredness was assessed to be significantly better in Group I than in Group II. Levels oftiredness in patients with GBM were greatly affected by the radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy (temozolomide).