Effects of the growing prevalence in oncology: A real-world study on the estimated workload.

e14148 Background: The increasing prevalence of cancer patients due to new effective treatments is leading to a growing demand in oncology activities, thus requiring a re-modelling towards more sustainable systems. The aim of this study is to estimate the workload generated by each new cancer patient referred to the Oncology Department of the Academic Cancer Center of Udine, Italy, within the two years from first consultation. Methods: We have utilised our electronic “Data Warehouse” accountability system to retrieve anonymous aggregate data of the 2-year oncology workload generated by each new diagnosis, leading to an initial consultation, occurring between 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2017. Initial consultations with no clinical episode in the following 12 months were excluded. Mean value per patient and standard deviations were calculated for the following clinical activities: treatment sessions, unplanned presentations, hospitalisations, re-assessments, follow-up visits and inpatient oncology advices. The total number of patients treated and of episodes were recorded. Follow-up data was collected up to 31.12.2019. Results: During the observation period, 7,454 newly diagnosed patients were referred to our Oncology Unit, resulting in a total of 92,830 clinical activities occurring over an 8-year period. In 1,788 pts (24.0%) only follow-up was needed; 3,152 pts (42.3%) were referred for adjuvant treatment and 2,514 (33.7%) for advanced disease management. Overall, the mean number of clinical activities per patient within the first 2 years was: 6.04 pre-treatment evaluations (52.9%; SD 8.81; 45,003 total episodes), 2.00 follow-up visits (17.5%; SD 1.89; 14,922 total episodes), 0.42 hospitalisations (3.7%; SD 1.21; 3,141 total episodes), 0.36 inpatient oncology advices (3.2%; SD 0.83; 2,705 total episodes), 1.57 re-assessments (13.8%; SD 2.28; 11,723 total episodes) and 1.02 unplanned presentations (8.9%; SD 2.17; 7,601 total episodes). Subgroup analysis in the different tumors and settings are ongoing. Conclusions: The landscape of cancer care is changing due to the growing prevalence of cancer patients that experience longer overall survival. Trying to estimate the amount of clinical activities generated by any new diagnosis is crucial for implementing new models of oncology management and for programming an adequate workforce supply.

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Incremental oncology workload generated by immunotherapy in the first-year of treatment.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.e14143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e14143-e14143

Author(s):

Marika Cinausero ◽

Silvio Ken Garattini ◽

Alessandro Marco Minisini ◽

Francesca Valent ◽

Chiara Riosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metastatic Cancer ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Cancer Center ◽

First Year ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Clinical Episode ◽

Student’S T ◽

Few Data ◽

New Diagnosis

e14143 Background: The rapid development of immunotherapy (IO) has transformed the cancer therapy landscape with growing impact on oncology workload. Given the few data on this topic, we conducted a study to estimate the shift in workload generated by any new metastatic cancer patient treated with IO and referred to the Oncology Department of the Academic Academic Cancer Center of Udine, Italy, within the 12 months of first consultation. Methods: We collected from our “Data Warehouse” electronic accountability system all new diagnosis of metastatic cancer between 01.01.2017 and 31.12.2018, resulting in a first consultation and leading to a second clinical episode during the following year, in order to assess the oncology workload. The population was divided into patients that received IO (anti-CTLA-4/PD-1/PDL1) versus patients treated with “other treatments”. Mean number per patient and standard deviation were calculated for clinical episodes (first consultations, treatment sessions, unplanned presentations, hospitalizations, re-evaluations, follow-up and inpatient oncology advices). The total number of patients treated and the number of episodes were recorded. Mean numbers of episodes in the IO group and “other treatments” group were compared using Student’s t-test (significance p < 0.005). Follow-up data was collected up to 31.12.2019. Results: A total number of 969 patients were considered (854 “other treatments” group and 115 IO group), resulting in a total of 12407 clinical episodes over the period of 12 months (first consultations excluded). Compared to “other treatments” group, patients in the IO group generated a greater workload in terms of treatment sessions (9.59 vs 6.83 per patient, p < 0.0001), re-evaluations (2.55 vs 1.88, p = 0.0002), and unplanned presentations (2.19 vs 1.51, p = 0.08). On the other hand, follow-up visits workload was greater for “other treatments” group (0.83 vs 0.63, p = 0.0002). No differences were found regarding hospitalizations and inpatient oncology advices. Further analysis will be presented. Conclusions: IO represents a new frontier in oncology landscape, leading to outcome’s improvement and longer lasting treatment periods. The estimate of oncology workload generated by new diagnosis of metastatic cancer requiring IO, is crucial for implementing more sustainable systems and for planning clinical activities.

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Cardiovascular risk factors during cancer treatment: prevalence, incidence and prognostic relevance

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3251 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

J Caro Codon ◽

T Lopez-Fernandez ◽

C Alvarez-Ortega ◽

P Zamora Aunon ◽

I Rodriguez Rodriguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Cardiovascular Risk ◽

Cancer Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Funding Source ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

All Cause Mortality

Abstract Background The actual usefulness of CV risk factor assessment in the prognostic evaluation of cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic treatment remains largely unknown. Design Prospective multicenter study in patients scheduled to receive anticancer therapy related with moderate/high cardiotoxic risk. Methods A total of 1324 patients underwent follow-up in a dedicated cardio-oncology clinic from April 2012 to October 2017. Special care was given to the identification and control of CV risk factors. Clinical data, blood samples and echocardiographic parameters were prospectively collected according to protocol, at baseline before cancer therapy and then at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years and 2 years after initiation of cancer therapy. Results At baseline, 893 patients (67.4%) presented at least 1 risk factor, with a significant number of patients newly diagnosed during follow-up. Individual risk factors were not related with worse prognosis during a 2-year follow-up. However, a higher Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) was significantly associated with higher rates of severe cardiotoxicity and all-cause mortality [HR 1.79 (95% CI 1.16–2.76) for SCORE 5–9 and HR 4.90 (95% CI 2.44–9.82) for SCORE ≥10 when compared with patients with lower SCORE (0–4)]. Conclusions This large cohort of patients treated with a potentially cardiotoxic regimen showed a significant prevalence of CV risk factors at baseline and significant incidence during follow-up. Baseline cardiovascular risk assessment using SCORE predicted severe cardiotoxicity and all-cause mortality. Therefore, its use should be recommended in the evaluation of cancer patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This study was partially funded by the Fondo Investigaciones Sanitarias (Spain), Centro de Investigaciόn Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular CIBER-CV (Spain)

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Changes in fatigue, barriers, and predictors towards physical activity in advanced cancer patients over a period of 12 months—a comparative study

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06020-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

J. Frikkel ◽

M. Beckmann ◽

N. De Lazzari ◽

M. Götte ◽

S. Kasper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Physical Functioning ◽

Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Advanced Cancer Patients ◽

Psychological Conditions ◽

Patient Reported

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) is recommended to improve advanced cancer patients’ (ACP) physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Yet, little is known about ACPs’ attitude towards PA and its influence on fatigue and depressiveness over a longer period. This prospective, non-interventional cohort study examined ACPs’ fatigue, depression, motivation, and barriers towards PA before and after 12 months of treatment among ACP Methods Outpatients with incurable cancer receiving treatment at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe weakness/tiredness during self-assessment via MIDOS II were enrolled. Fatigue (FACT-F), depression (PHQ-8), cancer-related parameters, self-assessed PA behavior, motivation for and barriers against PA were evaluated (T0). Follow-up data was acquired after 12 months (T1) using the same questionnaire. Results At follow-up, fatigue (p=0.017) and depressiveness (p=0.015) had increased in clinical relevant extent. Physically active ACP did not show significant progress of FACT-F (p=0.836) or PHQ-8 (p=0.799). Patient-reported barriers towards PA remained stable. Logistic regression analyses identified motivation as a positive predictor for PA at both time points (T0, β=2.152, p=0.017; T1, β =2.264, p=0.009). Clinically relevant depression was a negative predictor for PA at T0 and T1 (T0, β=−3.187, p=0.044; T1, β=−3.521, p=0.041). Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of psychological conditions in physical activity behavior of ACP. Since psychological conditions seem to worsen over time, early integration of treatment is necessary. By combining therapy approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in interdisciplinary care programs, the two treatment options might reinforce each other and sustainably improve ACPs’ fatigue, physical functioning, and QoL. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials, DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.05.2017

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Utility of telemedicine in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience at a tertiary cancer center in North East India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20204898 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 4027

Author(s):

Ashok Kumar Das ◽

Sumanjit S. Boro ◽

Anupam Das ◽

Partha Pratim Medhi ◽

Kaberi Kakati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Task Force ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ongoing Treatment ◽

North East ◽

Phone Calls

Background: Telemedicine is a very useful tool of communication between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study was to find out the utility of telemedicine during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic in North East India.Methods: It is a cross sectional study among the cancer patients at our center on follow up or ongoing treatment and analysis of all the data acquired from telephonic conversation with our patients from 30th March, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. Have contacted 4181 patients during this period over phone. All phone calls were done by respective department doctors.Results: From the demographic data, we get that 35.4% of patients were at good physical condition, 3.5% with poor general condition, 11.6% patients having ongoing treatment in our institute, 21.1% patients expired, 0.9% patients have nonmalignant diagnosis, 1.4% patients left the institute due to various reasons. Analyzed this data with brain storming sessions amongst the COVID-19 task force doctors and tried to find out solutions of each problem.Conclusions: Telemedicine cannot replace conventional method of in person treatment, but it proved to be a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic for patient follow up and treatment of cancer patients.

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Initiation and Discontinuation of Complementary Therapy Among Cancer Patients

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2007.11.9651 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (33) ◽

pp. 5267-5274 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Sung-Gyeong Kim ◽

Eun-Cheol Park ◽

Jae-Hyun Park ◽

Myung-Il Hahm ◽

Jin-Hwa Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Initial Treatment ◽

Stage Iv ◽

Complementary Therapy ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Cumulative Probability ◽

Colorectal Cancer Patients ◽

The Impact

PurposeTo identify the initiation or discontinuation of complementary therapy (CT) and determine the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on CT use among cancer patients.Patients and MethodsEligible patients were age 20 or older; newly diagnosed with stomach, liver, or colorectal cancer; and started their initial treatment at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between April 1, 2001, and April 30, 2003. In total, 541 cancer patients were surveyed in face-to-face interviews at baseline, and telephone follow-up interviews were performed every 3 months for 3 years.ResultsA total of 281 patients commenced CT after diagnosis; 164 patients stopped using CT during the follow-up period. The overall cumulative probability of starting CT at 1, 2, and 3 years was 50%, 54%, and 55%, respectively. In a Cox multivariate analysis, stomach and liver cancer were associated with an increased probability of initiating CT compared with colorectal cancer. Patients who were classified as stage I, II, or III at diagnosis were associated with a decreased probability of discontinuing CT compared with stage IV.ConclusionMost cancer patients started to use CT during the initial treatment period. Thus, physicians should communicate with cancer patients about CT at this phase. In particular, more attention should be paid to women and individuals with higher household incomes because these groups are more likely to start CT.

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Prevalence of recurrent thrombosis in cancer patients with isolated gonadal vein thrombosis: A retrospective study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e19645 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e19645-e19645

Author(s):

Suebpong Tanasanvimon ◽

Naveen Garg ◽

Chitra Viswanathan ◽

Milind M. Javle ◽

Mylene Truong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Metastatic Disease ◽

Vena Cava ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Vein Thrombosis ◽

Gonadal Vein ◽

Radiology Reports ◽

Recurrent Vte ◽

Active Cancer

e19645 Background: The natural history of isolated gonadal vein thrombosis (GVT) occurring in cancer patients (pts) is not well described in the medical literature. GVT in cancer pts it is of uncertain clinical significance. Methods: Utilizing a software program allowing a searchable database of radiology reports, the computerized tomographic scan (CT) reports of pts at a single cancer center from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2011, were searched for the term “gonadal vein thrombus”. Pts included in this analysis had a diagnosis of cancer, isolated GVT (i.e. no evidence of thrombosis at another site), and at least six months of follow-up information. Results: 162 cancer pts with GVT were identified for analysis [median age 57.8 ± 12 years, right GVT 89 pts (54.9%), left GVT 59 pts (36.4%), bilateral 14 pts (8.6%)]; the majority of the pts (96, 59.3%) had a non-gynecologic malignancy. At the time of diagnosis of GVT the majority of pts were receiving chemotherapy (84, 51.9%); 70 pts (43.2%) had surgery within the prior six months (the most common being hysterectomy, 127 pts, 78.6%). The majority of pts in this study had metastatic disease (93, 57.4%) as well as active cancer (138, 85.1%, defined as GVT occurring at the time of cancer diagnosis, disease recurrence, metastatic disease, or treatment for cancer within the prior six months); median follow-up time was 22 months. A minority of pts received anticoagulation (28pts, 17.2%). Twenty-two pts (13.6%) developed a recurrent venous thromboembolic event (VTE); these events were pulmonary embolism (12 pts, 7.4%), deep venous thrombosis (5 pts, 3.1%), inferior vena cava thrombosis (4 pts, 2.5%). Median time to development of re-thrombosis was 7 months (range 2-13.5 months). Active cancer was the only risk factor significantly associated with recurrent VTE (p = 0.047); pts with prior hysterectomy had a significantly reduced risk of recurrent VTE (p = 0.036). Conclusions: Incidental isolated GVT identified in cancer pts has a high risk of recurrent VTE (13.6%). Based upon specific pts risk factors for VTE, treatment of an incidentally detected GVT in cancer pts with anticoagulation, as per guidelines for other VTE sites, may be indicated.

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The outcome of outpatient palliative care service at Yonsei Cancer Center, a tertiary cancer center in Korea.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.31_suppl.131 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽

pp. 131-131

Author(s):

Si Won Lee ◽

Hye Jin Choi

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Group Performance ◽

Care Service ◽

Symptom Control ◽

Palliative Care Service ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Anticancer Treatment ◽

Tertiary Cancer Center

131 Background: The importance of palliative care in cancer patients continues to be emphasized and studies are proving its importance. Several studies proved the improvement of quality of life in advanced cancer patients. The efficacy of symptom control based on outpatient palliative care service has not yet been reported in Korea. The objective of this study is to review the outcome of outpatient palliative care service at Yonsei Cancer Center, a tertiary cancer center in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 155 cancer patients who used outpatient clinic at Yonsei Cancer Center in Korea between April 2014 and December 2014. Symptom severity was measured by modified Korean version of Edmonton Symptom Assessment System. Twelve symptoms were assessed: pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, dyspnea, sleep disorder, anorexia, constipation, wellbeing, financial distress. Higher score means worse symptom. ESAS scores at baseline and follow-up assessments were analyzed. Results: The 155 patients had following characteristics: female 52.3%, median age 65 years (range 58-75), Hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancer and lung cancer patients accounted for the largest portion (n = 37, 23.9%; n = 36, 23.2% respectively). Most patients were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 1 (n = 28, 18.1%) or 2 (n = 24, 15.5%). Ninety-two (59.4%) patients were referred to the palliative care team after anti-cancer treatments were all finished. Overall the symptoms did not change significantly from baseline to 2 consecutive follow up assessment except anorexia ( p value = 0.0195). Patients who were on active anticancer treatment had tendency of higher ESAS score than those finished with the anticancer treatment. However, all symptoms except nausea were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Most patients in this study did not have severe symptom scores that would show the differences of the symptom changes. Nevertheless, although not statistically significant, we found that patients on active anticancer treatment had higher symptom burden than those who were finished with the anticancer treatment. More meticulous symptom management is necessary to improve the symptom control.

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Assessing hematologic ratios as biomarkers for psychosocial distress.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.4_suppl.699 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 699-699

Author(s):

Abigail Fong ◽

Kelly Lafaro ◽

Arthur X Li ◽

Laleh Golkar Melstrom ◽

Jenny Rodriguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Surrogate Marker ◽

Surgical Oncology ◽

Psychosocial Distress ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Medical Oncologists ◽

English Speaking

699 Background: Psychosocial distress is common among cancer patients and has been shown to have deleterious effects on a patient’s quality of life, treatment, and outcomes. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-monocyte ratio (PMR) have been associated with poor outcomes in some cancers. Therefore we hypothesized that these ratios may be correlated to distress. This study looked at request for social work follow up as a surrogate marker for distress and investigated relationships between these ratios and markers of patient distress. Methods: A validated 48 item electronic distress screen was administered to patients in the medical and surgical oncology clinics of a large cancer center from 2009-2015. Patient requests for social work follow up were noted and patient charts reviewed for relevant labs and history. Patient demographics, NLR, LMR, PMR were reviewed. Chi-squared tests and univariate and multivariate regressions were performed to compare groups and relationships of variables and outcomes. Results: 43% of patients surveyed requested social work follow up. Of those, 75% received follow up, at a mean of 8 days. Non-Caucasian patients were more likely to request social work follow up (p = 0.03). Non-English speaking patients (p = 0.06) and those who saw medical oncologists trended towards significant desire for social work follow up. There was no significant correlation between NLR, PMR, LMR and desire to see a social worker. On multivariate analysis, patients with metastatic disease were less likely to want social work follow up (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.21-0.9, P = 0.02). Conclusions: In this study, non-white, non-English speaking patients, and those seeing medical oncologists were more likely to request social work follow up. We found no significant correlations between NLR, PMR, LMR and request for social work follow up. This suggests that desire for social work follow up is not a good correlate for physiologic distress in cancer patients. Further work is ongoing to provide better insight into determinants of psychosocial and physiologic stress in this patient population along with relevance of hematologic ratios.

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Packed red cell blood transfusion practices review in medical oncology unit in a tertiary cancer center, South India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20195187 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 4433

Author(s):

Veerendra Angadi ◽

Manjunath Nandennavar ◽

Shashidhar V. Karpurmath ◽

Roshan Jacob ◽

Yamini Donekal

Keyword(s):

Blood Transfusion ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Intravenous Iron ◽

Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Red Cell ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Case Record ◽

Red Cell Transfusion ◽

Oncology Unit

Background: Anaemia is a very common complication in cancer patients. Up to 60% of solid tumor patients and 70-90% of patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy have anaemia. Pathophysiology of anaemia in cancer patients is multifactorial. The treatments for cancer related anaemia include Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs), iron supplementing therapies (intravenous iron, oral iron) and blood transfusion. There are various safety concerns regarding usage of ESAs; also, their usage is less in India due to cost factor. There is scant literature regarding blood transfusion practices in patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: Patients diagnosed with cancer and patients receiving chemotherapy were included in the study. Retrospective case record review of cancer patients who received chemotherapy between January to March 2019 was done. Type of malignancy, presence of symptoms related to anemia and trigger for packed red cell transfusion were recorded.Results: Among 342 patients received total of 1365 cycles of chemotherapy in this time period. Mean age of patients was 46 years. 46 of the 342 patients received blood transfusion. Only 13% of the patients had symptoms of anemia like weakness and fatigue the average hemoglobin level at which transfusion was given was 6 gm/dL.Conclusions: Packed Red blood cell transfusion was usually administered at Hb <7 gm/dL. Very few patients reported anaemia related symptoms prior to transfusion. No patient received erythropoietin. Further data is needed from other tertiary cancer centres to understand the blood transfusion practices in Indian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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Effect of Hemoglobin on the Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Cancer in Palliative Care Settings

10.21203/rs.3.rs-850589/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

xinghe liao ◽

Cihang Bao ◽

Minghui Liu ◽

Menglei Chen ◽

Xiaoli Gu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Time ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Advanced Cancer ◽

Median Survival ◽

Median Survival Time ◽

Palliative Treatment ◽

Treatment Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Advanced Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Hemoglobin is a prognostic factor for many cancer patients. However, its effect on the prognosis of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment is still unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether hemoglobin can be used as a prognostic indicator for patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment.Methods: From July 2013 to October 2015, 368 consecutive patients were treated in the palliative treatment center of the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University. The data for 105 patients were extended in the follow-up. The cut-off value selected for hemoglobin was 100 g/L.Results: The median survival time of patients with low hemoglobin was shorter than that of patients with high hemoglobin (41 days vs. 84 days). In the follow-up readmission cohort (n = 105), the median survival time for patients with high hemoglobin (HHb → HHb) was 3.44 times longer than that of patients with low hemoglobin (HHb → LHb). Thus, both low hemoglobin and decreased hemoglobin were identified as independent prognostic factors for poor prognosis.Conclusions: In palliative treatment, hemoglobin can be used as a stratification factor to determine the prognosis of advanced cancer patients.

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