Study of Tapering Dexamethasone Doses After Brain Tumor Surgery to Reduce Steroid Side Effects Phase 2 Trial Comparing Short vs. Longer Steroid Treatment After Craniotomy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of reducing doses of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, on side effects in patients after brain tumor surgery craniotomy. This phase II trial focuses on patients with high grade glioma, low grade glioma, brain metastasis, and meningiomas. The study aims to compare a reduced dosage steroid schedule RDS with the normal dosing schedule NDS to see if tapering steroids more quickly affects hospital stay length, readmission rates, and the need for repeat imaging. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives tapering doses of dexamethasone over 15 days normal dosing schedule, while the other receives tapering doses over 4 days reduced dosage schedule. Blood samples are collected at surgery and follow-up visits, with optional wound checks 10-14 days after surgery. MRI and CT scans are performed during inpatient stay as part of standard care. The reduced dosage group may receive intravenous dexamethasone and restart the taper if needed. During the study, participants will be monitored for neurological symptoms, steroid side effects like high blood pressure and high blood sugar, wound healing, and lymphocyte counts. Researchers will track hospital stay duration, 30-day readmission, repeat imaging needs, and other health outcomes up to three months after surgery. Safety assessments include checking for seizures, cerebral edema, psychiatric effects, and infections, with follow-up visits and questionnaires. The study may last until July 2028.

Post-Operative Dosing of Dexamethasone in Patients With Brain Tumors After a Craniotomy, PODS Trial