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The experience of living with malignant meningioma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 May 2023

Andrea Daniela Maier*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Pathology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sara Nordentoft
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tiit Mathiesen
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Rikke Guldager
Affiliation:
Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
*
Corresponding author: Andrea Daniela Maier; Email: andrea.maier@regionh.dk

Abstract

Objectives

Meningiomas are the most common, primary intracranial tumor and most are benign. Little is known of the rare patient group living with a malignant meningioma, comprising 1–3% of all meningiomas. Our aim was to explore how patients perceived quality of daily life after a malignant meningioma diagnosis.

Methods

This qualitative explorative study was composed of individual semi-structured interviews. Eligible patients (n = 12) were selected based on ability to participate in an interview, from a background population of 23 patients diagnosed with malignant meningioma at Rigshospitalet from 2000 to 2021. We performed an inductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s guidelines.

Results

Eight patients were interviewed. The analysis revealed 4 overarching themes: (1) perceived illness and cause of symptoms, (2) identity, roles, and interaction, (3) threat and uncertainty of the future, and (4) belief in authority. The perceived quality of daily life is negatively impacted by the disease. Patients experience a shift in self-concept and close interactions, and some struggle with accepting a new everyday life. Patients have a high risk of discordant prognostic awareness in relation to health-care professionals.

Significance of results

We provide a much-needed patient-centered perspective of living with malignant meningioma: quality of life was affected by perception of threat and an uncertainty of the future. Perception of illness and the interpretation of the cause of symptoms varied between subjects, but a common trait was that patients’ identity, roles, and interactions were affected. Shared decision-making and a strengthened continuity during follow-up could aid this rare patient group.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press.

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