scholarly journals Pilot of an International Collaboration to Build Capacity to Provide Gynecologic Oncology Surgery in Botswana

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1807-1811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Luckett ◽  
Kitenge Kalenga ◽  
Fong Liu ◽  
Katharine Esselen ◽  
Chris Awtrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gynecologic Oncology ◽  
Gynecologic Malignancies ◽  
Postoperative Intensive Care ◽  
Multidisciplinary Clinic ◽  
Local Capacity ◽  
Cervical Disease ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies ◽  
Oncology Treatment ◽  
Postoperative Intensive Care Unit

ObjectivesGynecologic malignancies are the leading cause of cancer death among women in Botswana. Twenty-five percent of cervical cancers present at a stage that could be surgically cured; however, there are no gynecologic oncologists to provide radical surgeries. A sustainable model for delivery of advanced surgery is essential to advance treatment for gynecologic malignancies.Methods/MaterialsA model was developed to provide gynecologic oncology surgery in Botswana, delivered by US-based gynecologic oncologists in four 2-week blocks per year. A pilot gynecologic oncology campaign was planned at a district hospital. Eligible patients were identified through the gynecologic oncology multidisciplinary clinic at the regional referral hospital, where gynecologic oncology treatment planning is provided. Local providers were invited to participate to build local surgical capacity.ResultsOne US-based gynecologic oncologist, 2 gynecologists, and 2 surgeons working in Botswana participated in the pilot campaign. Sixteen operations were performed over 7 days. Indications included cervical cancer (4), ovarian cancer (3), vulvar cancer (1), complex atypical hyperplasia (1), pre-invasive cervical disease (2), and benign disease (3), as well as 2 obstetric emergencies. The only gynecologic oncology complication was a case of bleeding requiring transfusion and postoperative intensive care unit admission. Follow-up care was coordinated through the gynecologic oncology multidisciplinary clinic.ConclusionsPeriodic gynecologic oncology campaigns in settings otherwise lacking local capacity to perform advanced surgery are a feasible model to create access and build local capacity. Strong local collaboration is essential. Future strategies to increase impact include recruitment of more gynecologic oncologists to increase service and training availability.

Adjuvant therapy of ovarian germ cell tumors with cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin: a trial of the Gynecologic Oncology Group.

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Williams ◽  
J A Blessing ◽  
S Y Liao ◽  
H Ball ◽  
P Hanjani
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Gynecologic Oncology ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Germ Cell Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Oncology Group ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia

PURPOSE This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with surgically resected ovarian germ cell tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS After tumor removal and thorough surgical staging, patients were enrolled on this study and treated with three courses of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (BEP). Reassessment laparotomy was required of consenting, appropriate patients initially, but became an optional procedure in 1989. RESULTS Of 93 patients assessable on this trial, 89 are continuously free of germ cell cancer. At second-look laparotomy, two other patients were found to have small foci of immature teratoma; both remain clinically free of recurrence. One received subsequent alternate chemotherapy and one did not. Thus, 91 of 93 patients are currently free of germ cell cancer. Follow-up duration ranges from 4.0 to 90.3 months, with 67 patients monitored for longer than 2 years. Acute toxicity was moderate. One patient developed acute myelomonocytic leukemia 22 months after diagnosis. Another patient was noted to have a malignant lymphoma 69 months after protocol treatment. CONCLUSION Three courses of BEP will nearly always prevent recurrence in well-staged patients with completely resected ovarian germ cell tumors and should be given to all such patients. The development of acute leukemia as a complication of treatment is disturbing and mandates careful long-term follow-up, but is unusual and does not alter the risk-to-benefit ratio of treatment.

Perceptions of barriers to patient financial hardship screening differ by provider role within gynecologic oncology outpatient care.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 317-317
Author(s):  
Jhalak Dholakia ◽  
Maria Pisu ◽  
Warner King Huh ◽  
Margaret Irene Liang
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Gynecologic Oncology ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Patient Barriers

317 Background: Although approximately half of patients with gynecologic malignancy experience financial hardship (FH) during treatment, best practices to identify and assist patients with FH are lacking. To develop such practices, we assessed oncology provider and staff perspectives about FH screening and provision of assistance. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted electronically within the Gynecologic Oncology outpatient office at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Potential barriers to patient FH screening and follow-up were assessed within 2 domains: 1) logistic barriers to incorporating FH screening and follow-up into outpatient workflow and 2) perceived patient barriers to FH screening. Responses were elicited on a 5-point Likert scale from ‘very’ to ‘not at all’ significant and dichotomized into significant and not significant barriers. Results: Of 43 providers approached, 37 responded (86% response rate) of which 14 were physicians (MD)/nurse practitioners (NP) and 23 were other staff members (i.e., clinical and research nurses, social workers, pharmacists, care coordinators, lay navigators, and financial counselors). Altogether, 38% worked in their current position for >5 years (n=14), 11% for 3-5 years (n=4), and 51% for <3 years (n=19). For logistic barriers to implementing FH screening and follow-up, the most frequently reported significant barriers included lack of personnel training (69%) and lack of available staff (62%), training regarding follow-up (72%), and case tracking infrastructure (67%). The most frequent significant perceived patient barriers were lack of knowledge of whom to contact (72%), concerns about impact on treatment if FH needs were identified (72%), and lack of patient readiness to discuss financial needs (62%.) Compared to MD/NP, staff members more often indicated the following as significant barriers: difficulty incorporating FH screening into initial visit workflow (31 % vs. 57%, p=0.03), overstretched personnel (29% vs 73%, p=0.005), and patient concerns about influence on treatment (62% vs 86%, p=0.01). Conclusions: Care team members identified barriers to patient FH screening across logistic and patient-centered domains, although MD/NP less so than other staff possibly reflecting different exposures to patient financial needs during clinical encounters or burden of workflow. Implementation of universal FH screening, dedicated personnel, convenient tracking mechanisms, and multi-disciplinary provider and staff training may improve recognition of patient FH and facilitate its integration into oncology care plans.

Intensive Insulin Therapy in Postoperative Intensive Care Unit Patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 173 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritoki Egi ◽  
Rinaldo Bellomo ◽  
Edward Stachowski ◽  
Craig J. French ◽  
Graeme Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Insulin Therapy ◽  
Intensive Insulin Therapy ◽  
Postoperative Intensive Care ◽  
Postoperative Intensive Care Unit

scholarly journals Long-term COVID-19 complications: a multidisciplinary clinic follow-up approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Hina Iftikhar ◽  
Warren L Doherty ◽  
Charles Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Multidisciplinary Clinic

scholarly journals Anterior Cervical Osteophyte Resection for Treatment of Dysphagia

2020 ◽  
pp. 219256822091270
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Kolz ◽  
Mohammed A. Alvi ◽  
Atiq R. Bhatti ◽  
Marko N. Tomov ◽  
Mohamad Bydon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
High Complication Rate ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Cervical Osteophytes ◽  
Cervical Disease ◽  
The Mean

Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study. Objectives: When anterior cervical osteophytes become large enough, they may cause dysphagia. There is a paucity of work examining outcomes and complications of anterior cervical osteophyte resection for dysphagia. Methods: Retrospective review identified 19 patients who underwent anterior cervical osteophyte resection for a diagnosis of dysphagia. The mean age was 71 years and follow-up, 4.7 years. The most common level operated on was C3-C4 (13, 69%). Results: Following anterior cervical osteophyte resection, 79% of patients had improvement in dysphagia. Five patients underwent cervical fusion; there were no episodes of delayed or iatrogenic instability requiring fusion. Fusion patients were younger (64 vs 71 years, P = .05) and had longer operative times (315 vs 121 minutes, P = .01). Age of 75 years or less trended toward improvement in dysphagia ( P = .09; OR = 18.8; 95% CI 0.7-478.0), whereas severe dysphagia trended toward increased complications ( P = .07; OR = 11.3; 95% CI = 0.8-158.5). Body mass index, use of an exposure surgeon, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis diagnosis, surgery at 3 or more levels, prior neck surgery, and fusion were not predictive of improvement or complication. Conclusions: Anterior cervical osteophyte resection improves swallowing function in the majority of patients with symptomatic osteophytes. Spinal fusion can be added to address stenosis and other underlying cervical disease and help prevent osteophyte recurrence, whereas intraoperative navigation can be used to ensure complete osteophyte resection without breaching the cortex or entering the disc space. Because of the relatively high complication rate, patients should undergo thorough multidisciplinary workup with swallow evaluation to confirm that anterior cervical osteophytes are the primary cause of dysphagia prior to surgery.

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