New Tool Predicts Treatment Needs for Common Brain Tumors

A newly developed clinical tool has demonstrated the ability to accurately predict treatment requirements for meningiomas, the most common type of brain tumor. This advancement, spearheaded by researchers at the University of Liverpool and The Walton Center, offers hope for improved patient care by enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding necessary interventions.

Approximately 3,500 new cases of meningiomas are diagnosed annually in the U.K. These tumors are often detected incidentally during brain scans, and while most are benign and cause no symptoms, some can lead to complications requiring surgical intervention or other treatments. Until now, it has been challenging for physicians to determine which patients may experience tumor progression, resulting in unnecessary monitoring for some patients while others faced delays in receiving crucial care.

The IMPACT tool was developed in 2019 from data collected on about 400 patients receiving neurosurgical care at The Walton Center NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. This innovative tool assesses various factors, including the patient’s comorbidities, functional status, and the imaging characteristics of the tumor, to evaluate the likelihood of tumor progression and the need for treatment.

Widespread Validation of the IMPACT Tool

Recently, the IMPACT tool has undergone testing on more than 1,200 patients across 33 hospitals in 15 countries, with follow-up periods extending up to 15 years. The study’s findings were published in JAMA Oncology, revealing that patients could be effectively categorized into low, medium, or high-risk groups for tumor progression.

Patients identified as low-risk had only a 1 in 25 chance of requiring treatment, while those in the medium-risk category faced a 1 in 4 likelihood. High-risk patients had an alarming 1 in 2 chance of needing intervention. Notably, most tumor progression occurred within the first five years following diagnosis, with older or frailer patients demonstrating a significantly lower likelihood of requiring treatment.

Dr. Abdurrahman Islim, a co-lead of the study and a Neurosurgery Registrar at the University of Manchester and Salford Royal Hospital, emphasized the significance of this research in personalizing care. He stated, “For the first time, we can give patients with an incidental meningioma clear answers about their individual risk, helping avoid unnecessary scans for some while ensuring that others get timely treatment.”

The Path Forward for Personalized Care

The implications of this study suggest that high-risk patients may benefit from early intervention, while medium-risk individuals should continue with regular monitoring. Many low-risk patients could potentially be safely discharged with guidance on symptoms to watch for.

Professor Michael Jenkinson, the study lead and a Consultant Neurosurgeon at The Walton Center, highlighted the need for real-time testing of the IMPACT tool in clinical settings. He noted, “The ability to offer personalized care will bring not only health benefits to patients but also cost savings to the NHS and wider economic growth.”

Patient representative Shelli Koszdi, who contributed to the study, shared her personal experience with the IMPACT model. “As a patient, I had already chosen observation in consultation with my neurosurgeon, and the IMPACT model helped reassure me I had made the right decision,” she said. This reassurance allowed her to manage her anxiety and focus on her life rather than the potential threat of the meningioma.

With the promising results from this research, the next step involves securing funding to integrate the IMPACT tool into routine clinical practice. This development could revolutionize the management of meningiomas, ultimately enhancing patient care and improving outcomes for thousands of individuals diagnosed each year.