Identify the symptoms and determine the severity of the symptoms seen in patients WHO underwent surgery for primary brain tumors

Aim: This study was conducted to identify the symptoms and determine the severity of the symptoms seen in patients who underwent surgery for primary brain tumors. Material and Methods: Research was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was conducted with 90 patients who underwent surgical treatment in a neurosurgical clinic of an education and research hospital in Ankara between March-November 2016 and met the inclusion criteria. The data were collected by face-to-face interviews with patients, using personal information form and M.D. Anderson Brain Tumor Symptom Inventory (MDA-BTSI). The data were analyzed with SPSS 23 program, using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Kolmogorov Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis, Bonnferroni corrected Mann Whitney U, t test, chi square, factor analysis and Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient. Results:37.8% (n: 34) of the patients were female. The average age is 41.5 ± 14.58 years. 25.6% (n: 23) of the cases were diagnosed at stage 1. The most common tumor location was frontal lobe and the rate was 28.9% (n: 26). Defecation habits, pain, fatigue, appearance changes are the most common symptoms and these symptoms affect the emotional state, work life and daily activities more. Symptoms and severity were assessed separately according to localization and stage.It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between localizations and symptoms which were sleepiness, xerostomia, mood swings, vomiting, numbness, weakness, comprehension difficulty, speech difficulty, concentration weakness, visual impairment, appearance change, daily activity inhibition, emotional disturbance state, and walking disturbance when the relationship between tumor localization and symptom and severity was examined (p<0.05). All symptoms and severity were observed to be greater in stage 4 patients. Conclusion:The awareness and management of symptoms and severity after surgery by health professionals in patients who are diagnosed with primary brain tumor, may significantly improve the patients quality of life.