NEWLY DIAGNOSEDCHECKLIST

1. Seek out the most advanced and specialized care that is available to you. Many smaller, local centers may offer surgery and treatment for brain tumors, though these centers cannot offer the same state-of-the-art facilities, technologies, and doctors specializing in your tumor type that are found in larger brain tumor centers. Seek out the most experienced neuro-surgeons specializing in brain tumor resection. Even if it means traveling farther afield, larger centers likely have more clinical trial options, advanced pathology facilities to better diagnose your tumor, better ability to store tumor tissue for future testing, and familiarity with the latest science and advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques.
2. Consider joining a clinical trial. Some clinical trials require registration before the initial surgery takes place, such as fluorescence-guided resection with 5-ALA or the custom made vaccine trials. If your tumor is deemed "inoperable" you may first want to consider a second opinion. Then you could consider an alternative to surgery such as NeuroBlate (Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy), available at centers across the USA such as the Cleveland Clinic, or MRI-guided focused ultrasound, which is an experimental therapy being tested at only a few locations. Stereotactic radiosurgery (such as Gamma Knife) may also be an option.
3. Inquire about the Optune device (Novocure). Optune™ is an FDA approved therapy for both newly diagnosed patients as well as those with recurrent Glioblastoma. The large phase 3 trial for Optune™ had the best results for any large phase 3 trial for newly diagnosed Glioblastoma to date!
4. Request genetic testing of your tumor tissue. If treated at a major brain tumor center, your tumor tissue will likely be tested for MGMT status, IDH1 mutation, EGFR mutation/amplification, chromosome 1p/19q codeletion, etc. Of these, a mutation in the EGFR gene called EGFR variant 3 (EGFRvIII) is particularly important as this determines eligibility in several immunotherapy trials targeting this mutation. Two companies that offer this testing are Caris Life Sciences and Foundation Medicine. These services may be expensive (several thousand dollars), though some insurance companies cover this expense. It is best to discuss the tests with your surgeon prior to surgery.
5. Ask how your tumor tissue will be preserved. [If you are about to have a surgery - read this!] Brain tumor tissue is commonly preserved by the FFPE method (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded). A better alternative is for the tumor to be flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. One advantage of freezing is that the tumor tissue is preserved intact and may later be used to create personalized cancer vaccines. One company that provides this service is Store My Tumor. Note that this has to be discussed with your surgeon before the surgery!
6. Educate yourself. A good starting point is the virtualtrials.org website. In the "Learn About" section of this website, you'll find a Brain Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed available as a free download. Further down the "Learn About" section you'll find an archive of articles called Noteworthy Treatments. In the "Interact" section of the website you'll find a video library of talks and presentations on all things brain tumor related. Another useful resource is the Patient Resource Center, in the Patient Support section at the End Brain Cancer Website.
7. Join a support group. We recently changed from an email based online support group to an online discussion forum. Also in the "Resources" section is a page listing various real-world support groups. Facebook has many brain tumor groups. Some of our favorties are: Optune™ Support For GBM, Glioblastoma - GBM SURVIVORS TO THRIVERS! and A Survival Guide to GBM
8. Recording and organizing information. Request all documents related to your diagnoses and treatment, including all pathology reports. Keep these organized in a folder on your computer or in a binder. You may also consider making audio recordings (for example on your Smart phone) of your appointments with your oncologists for future reference. Another option to help remember what is said at appointments is to bring along a friend or family member who has a good memory.
9. Designate a support team. Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis is an exceptionally emotional and confusing situation. Unless you are especially skilled and motivated to do your own medical research, it may be best to designate a friend or family member who can research treatment options and all things tumor-related on your behalf. Another person can be the designated contact to relay news to your larger network of family and friends.
10. Insurance and finances. Upgrade to the best medical insurance you can afford. Medicare patients should seek out the best supplemental policy they can, avoiding Medicare Advantage Plans that limit their choice of doctor. The Musella Foundation runs a co-pay assistance program for people with insurance to help with expenses related to Optune™, Avastin™, Gliadel™, and Temodar™. For people without insurance, the Musella Foundation offers a Drug Discount Card, which can give discounts for prescription and non-prescription medications. Try GoodRx.com to look for discount coupons for all of your medications.

Links

• Our program to help you find treatment options
• Guide for the Newly Diagnosed free download provided by the Musella Foundation
• Surviving Terminal Cancer documentary by Dominic Hill, featuring long-term GBM survivors such as Ben Williams.
• End Brain Cancer Initiative "Providing national patient and family brain tumor support."

If you would like to suggest any changes to improve this page, use our contact form. This page was created on 04/03/2005 and last updated on 7/13/2023.