title: Profile of patients with brain tumors and the role of nursing care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to describe the profile of 200 patients with central nervous system tumors (CNST), and the role of the nursing care.
  
  
  METHODS
  prospective, quantitative and descriptive analysis of medical records of 200 patients with TSNC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  a total of 61% of our patients had benign CNST and 39% had malignant tumors. The extent of patient dependence, according to the Karnofsky Performance Status scale, was significantly greater for patients with malignant CNST (p < .05), indicating that these patients needed more support with their activities of daily living.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  patients with CNST need specialized care, with specific guidance regarding their disease and aspects of daily living after treatment. Thus, the nurse can function as a key element for the effectiveness of care provided to patients and family members with the aim of enhancing the quality of life of all those affected, directly or indirectly, by the disease.
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Kênia Cristina Soares Fonseca
authors: KC
authors: de Magalhães
authors: Instituto Metodista Izabela Hendrix, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Josiane Pinto Moreira
authors: JP
authors: Vaz
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Pollyana Anicio Magalhaes
authors: PA
authors: Gontijo
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Gervásio Teles Cardoso
authors: GT
authors: de Carvalho
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Paulo Pereira
authors: PP
authors: Christo
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Renata Toscano
authors: RT
authors: Simões
authors: Institute of Education and Research, Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Karla Rona
authors: KR
authors: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life