Comparison of advanced care discussions between Chinese-American and Caucasian stage IV cancer patients at a single American cancer center.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19081-e19081
Author(s):  
Avery Glover ◽  
Courtney Schroeder ◽  
Emma Ernst ◽  
Tamara Vesel

e19081 Background: Timely discussions with cancer patients on prognosis, goals of care (GOC), and end-of-life care (EOLC) are essential components of quality care for diverse populations. Although Chinese-Americans represent one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States, little is known about the utilization of these advanced care discussions with Chinese-American cancer patients. Methods: In this exploratory review, we collected data for 63 Chinese-American and 63 Caucasian stage IV solid cancer patients at a tertiary medical center who died 2013-2018. The following data points were compared: frequency and timing of prognosis, GOC, and EOLC discussions; family inclusion in discussions; healthcare proxy identification; DNR completion. Results: Chinese-American and Caucasian patients had similar frequencies of prognostic (76% vs 71%), GOC (51% vs 56%), and EOLC discussions (89% vs 84%). For all three types of conversations, Chinese-American patients had the discussions earlier on average (days before death: prognosis 86 vs 62; GOC 54 vs 37; EOLC 69 vs 48) and included family members in the discussions more often (30% vs 15%). Chinese-Americans identified healthcare proxies earlier (50 vs 45 days before death). Chinese-Americans had DNR orders placed later (29 vs 33 days before death) and were more likely to have DNR orders placed on the day of death (30% vs 23%). Conclusions: Despite similar frequency of advanced care discussions, earlier conversations, and earlier identification of healthcare proxies in the Chinese-American group, DNR orders were placed later and were often delayed until the day of death for Chinese-American patients. Further studies are needed to better explore the differences indicated in this preliminary study.

Author(s):  
Avery Caz Glover ◽  
Courtney Schroeder ◽  
Emma Ernst ◽  
Tamara Vesel

Purpose: Timely advance care discussions are essential components of quality care for diverse populations; however, little is known about these conversations among Chinese American cancer patients. This exploratory study describes differences in advance care discussions and planning between Chinese American and White advanced cancer patients. Methods: We collected data for 63 Chinese American and 63 White stage IV cancer patients who died between 2013 and 2018. We compared: frequency and timing of prognosis, goals of care (GOC), and end-of-life care (EOLC) discussions in the final year of life; family inclusion in discussions; healthcare proxy (HCP) identification; do not resuscitate (DNR) order, do not intubate (DNI) order, and other advance directive (AD) completion. We did not conduct statistical tests due to the study’s exploratory nature. Results: Among Chinese American and White patients, respectively, 76% and 71% had prognosis, 51% and 56% had GOC, and 89% and 84% had EOLC discussions. Prognosis, GOC, and EOLC discussions were held a median of 34.0, 15.5, and 34.0 days before death among Chinese American and 17.0, 13.0, and 24.0 days before death among White patients. Documentation rates among Chinese American and White patients were 79% and 76% for DNRs, 81% and 71% for DNIs, 79% and 81% for HCPs, and 52% and 40% for other ADs. Conclusions: Findings suggest that Chinese Americans had similar rates of advance care discussions, completed conversations earlier, and had similar to higher rates of AD documentation compared to White patients. Further studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24122-e24122
Author(s):  
Courtney Schroeder ◽  
Emma Ernst ◽  
Tamara Vesel

e24122 Background: Effective clinician-patient discussions of cancer diagnoses and prognoses are essential to enhance health outcomes in diverse oncology populations. To provide guidance on communication preferences and needs among Chinese Americans, one of the fastest growing yet understudied ethnic groups in the United States, we explored considerations and observations from healthcare providers experienced in caring for this oncologic population. Methods: In this inductive, emergent qualitative study, we completed 20 semi-structured virtual interviews with providers from assorted healthcare disciplines with experience caring for Chinese American cancer patients in Boston’s Chinatown. Responses were systematically collected and analyzed using open and focused coding, constant comparative methods, and thematic analysis. Results: Twenty healthcare professionals with experience working with the Chinese American patients were interviewed including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, case managers, patient navigators and dietitians. Fifteen were female, 5 were male, and 11 participants self-identified as Asian. Six key themes were identified: (1) Discussing cancer diagnoses and prognoses is taboo and often avoided by Chinese Americans in family, community, and healthcare settings. (2) A cancer diagnosis may be considered a death sentence by Chinese Americans, regardless of cancer location or stage. This could be related to the meaning implied by direct translation of the word “cancer.” (3) In settings where cancer diagnoses and prognoses are discussed, Chinese American patients often prefer indirect communication approaches including use of expressions such as “tumor,” “mass,” or “illness” to avoid the use of the word “cancer.” (4) The family centered role in medical decision making for Chinese American cancer patients and the preference of some family units to protect the patient from their diagnoses present unique challenges in the context of standard care. (5) Obtaining a detailed psychosocial history is important to guide communication approaches, as patient characteristics like age, generation since immigration, and education play a foundational role in communication preferences. (6) Karma and nutritional beliefs should be considered and addressed in oncologic care, as they play a critical role in health and disease management for Chinese American cancer patients. Conclusions: Further exploration of these insights and confirmation of their accuracy by discussing directly with Chinese American patients is imperative. If these findings are corroborated through further investigation, this knowledge can be used develop educational tools and implement clinical practice changes to enhance care outcomes and communication with Chinese American cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Noorwati Sutandyo ◽  
Lyana Setiawan

Pendahuluan. Hiperkoagulasi merupakan faktor yang mendasari tingginya mortalitas akibat kejadian tromboemboli vena pada pasien kanker. Kemoterapi merupakan salah satu faktor yang diduga berkontribusi terhadap status hiperkoagulasi pada pasien kanker. Studi ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi perubahan status koagulasi yang ditandai dengan kadar D-dimer pada pasien kanker yang menjalani kemoterapi.Metode. Studi ini merupakan studi kohort prospektif di Pusat Kanker Nasional Indonesia yang melibatkan pasien kanker yang sudah terkonfirmasi melalui pemeriksaan histopatologi, dan memulai kemoterapi pada periode Mei hingga Juli 2018. Perubahan status koagulasi dinilai melalui kadar D-dimer plasma. Kadar D-dimer diukur sebelum dan 7 hari setelah kemoterapi. Analisis statistik menggunakan uji t berpasangan untuk menilai kemaknaan perubahan kadar D-dimer plasma sebelum dan setelah kemoterapi.Hasil. Sejumlah 89 pasien memenuhi kriteria inklusi, yang mana 74,2% adalah perempuan dan hampir separuh dari keseluruhan subjek terdiagnosis kanker payudara (44,9%). Mayoritas subjek (69,6%) terdiagnosis pada stadium III atau IV. Sejumlah 12,4% dari subjek mendapatkan kemoterapi berbasis cisplatin. Terdapat perbedaan yang bermakna antara kadar D-dimer sebelum dan setelah kemoterapi (p = 0,05). Studi ini juga menemukan perbedaan bermakna kadar D-dimer sebelum dan sesudah kemoterapi pada pasien kanker stadium III (t(35) = 2,48, p = 0,02) dan stadium IV (t(25) = 2,14, p = 0,04). Tidak terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara kadar D-dimer sebelum dan setelah kemoterapi pada pasien stadium I dan II. Analisis lanjutan berdasarkan kelompok kemoterapi menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perubahan kadar D-dimer yang bermakna pada kelompok yang mendapatkan kemoterapi cisplatin (t(10) = 2,31, p = 0,04), namun tidak pada kelompok yang mendapat kemoterapi non-cisplatin (t(77) = 1,50, p = 0,14).Simpulan. Terdapat perbedaan bermakna status koagulasi yang ditandai dengan kadar D-dimer 7 hari pasca mendapatkan kemoterapi, khususnya pada pasien kanker stadium III atau IV dan mendapatkan kemoterapi berbasis cisplatin. Kata Kunci: Cisplatin, kanker, kemoterapi, status koagulasiChange of Coagulation Status in Solid Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in Indonesia: A Prospective Cohort StudyIntroduction. Cancer-associated hypercoagulability was an underlying factor of high mortality of cancer due to venous thromboembolism. Chemotherapy is proposed as one of the contributing factors of the hypercoagulable state. We aim to evaluate the change of coagulation status, which was marked by D-dimer level, in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.Methods. This is a prospective cohort study in Indonesian national cancer center which involves all adult histologically-confirmed-cancer patients who started chemotherapy between May and July 2018. The coagulation status is assessed by plasma of D-dimer level. We measured D-dimer before chemotherapy and one week after chemotherapy. Paired t-test was performed to assess the significant difference in D-dimer levels before and after chemotherapy.Results. A total of 89 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria, of whom 74.2% were female and almost half of total subjects (44.9%) were breast cancer patients. Majority of subjects (69.6%) were stage III or stage IV cancer. There were 12.4% of subjects received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. There was a marginally significant difference in plasma level of D-dimers before and after chemotherapy (p = 0.05). We also found significant differences between D-dimer level before and after chemotherapy in stage III patients (t(35) = 2.48, p = 0.02) and stage IV patients (t(25) = 2.14, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference between D-dimer level before and after chemotherapy in stage I and stage II patients. Subgroup analyses based on chemotherapy agents showed that there was significant D-dimer change in cisplatin-based chemotherapy subjects (t(10) = 2.31, p = 0.04), but not in non-cisplatin-based chemotherapy subjects (t(77) = 1,50, p = 0.14).Conclusion. Compared to before chemotherapy, there is a significant difference of coagulation status marked by plasma D-dimer level one week after chemotherapy, particularly in patients with stage III or stage IV cancer and in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (33) ◽  
pp. 5267-5274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Gyeong Kim ◽  
Eun-Cheol Park ◽  
Jae-Hyun Park ◽  
Myung-Il Hahm ◽  
Jin-Hwa Lim ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 1565-1569
Author(s):  
Lobsang Marcia ◽  
Zane W. Ashman ◽  
Eric B. Pillado ◽  
Dennis Y. Kim ◽  
David S. Plurad

Formal communication of end-of-life preferences is crucial among patients with metastatic cancer. Our objective is to describe the prevalence of advance directives (AD) and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders among stage IV cancer patients with acute care surgery consultations, and the associated outcomes. This is a single institution retrospective review over an eight-year period. Two hundred and three patients were identified; mean age was 55.3 ± 11.4 years and 48.8 per cent were male. Fifty (24.6%) patients underwent exploratory surgery. Nineteen (10.6%) patients had another type of surgery. Twenty-one (10.3%) patients had a DNR order, and none had an AD on-admission. Fifty-four (26.6%) patients had a DNR order placed and four (2%) patients completed an AD postadmission. DNR postadmission was associated with the highest mortality at 42.6 per cent compared with 14.3 per cent for DNR on-admission and 1.56 per cent for full-code patients ( P < 0.001). Compared with patients that remained full-code and those with DNR on-admission, DNR postadmission was associated with longer length of stay (19.6 days; P < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (7.72 days; P < 0.001). The prevalence of AD and DNR orders among stage IV cancer patients is low. The higher in-hospital mortality of patients with DNR postadmission reflects the use of DNR orders during clinical decline.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8548-8548
Author(s):  
P. Jiang ◽  
M. Choi ◽  
D. Smith ◽  
L. Heilbrun ◽  
S. M. Gadgeel

8548 Background: The percentage of cancer patients ≥ 80 years old is expected to rise in the United States. However data are limited on use of chemotherapy in this group of patients. Methods: Retrospective identification of patients who received systemic chemotherapy at our cancer center between 1/1/2000 to 12/31/2004 was performed using the computer generated pharmacy data and medical records. Patients who had diagnosis of cancer and ≥ 80 years were included in the study; patients receiving only supportive care, hormonal therapy, or oral chemotherapy were excluded. The protocol for this study was approved by the Wayne State University IRB. Results: A total of 133 patients ≥ 80 years who received chemotherapy was analyzed. The median age was 83 and 31% of the patients were ≥ 85 years. There were more females (61%) than males (39%). The gender distribution was more even (47% v. 53%) after excluding gender specific tumors. The racial distribution was diverse- Whites 65 (49%); Blacks 41 (31%); Other 18 (13%); Unknown 9 (7%). 16% of the patients had hematologic malignancy and 84% had solid tumors. Gynecological cancers (32%) followed by aerodigestive cancers (26%) were the most common solid tumors. Solid tumor patients primarily had regional (48%) or distant (45%) disease. During the first regimen, 512 cycles of chemotherapy was delivered with a median of 3 cycles per patient (range 1–24 cycles); 40% of patients received only 2 cycles of chemotherapy. 64% of patients were able to receive chemotherapy without 2nd cycle delay. The distribution of single or multidrug regimens was fairly similar; Solid tumors 52% v. 48%; Hematologic cancers 43% v. 57%. Carboplatin and paclitaxel (22%) was the most common regimen among solid tumor patients. 26% of all patients received a second regimen. The 1 year survival rates among hematologic cancer and solid tumor patients were 65% and 48%, respectively. Stage of disease was the only statistically significant factor predicting survival. Conclusions: In this diverse group of cancer patients ≥ 80 years old and selected for chemotherapy, the treatment was feasible. The survival outcomes in this elderly population were comparable to those of a younger patient population suggesting that the treatment is beneficial. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19528-e19528
Author(s):  
David Hui ◽  
Renata dos Santos ◽  
Kelly L. Kilgore ◽  
Thiago Buosi Silva ◽  
Gary B. Chisholm ◽  
...  

e19528 Background: The fundamental process of dying has not been well characterized. We determined the frequency, onset, accuracy and likelihood ratio (LR) for various clinical signs in dying cancer patients. Methods: We systematically documented 100 signs/symptoms on consecutive advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care units at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDA) in the United States and Barretos Cancer Hospital (BCH) in Brazil every 12 hours from admission to death/discharge in 2010/2011. We analyzed the serial data from death backwards using generalized estimating equations for decedents, and calculated the accuracy and LRs for all patients. Results: 203/357 (MDA 52, BCH 151) patients died, and had the following characteristics: average age 58 (range 18-88), female 49%, Caucasian 76%, median admission length 6(Q1-Q3 4-9) days. The average palliative performance scale decreased from 50% to 20% (P<0.001). The frequency of pulselessness of radial artery (PRA), decreased urine output, respiration with mandibular movement (RMM), inability to close eye lids (EL), death rattle, vocal cord grunting, Cheyne Stokes and nasolabial drooping increased as death approached (P<0.001 for all), with high LR+ for impending death (Table 1). Presence of PRA, RMM and EL had a high specificity (100%), positive predictive value (99.4%) and LR+ (13) for death in 3 days. Conclusions: We identified highly specific cardiovascular, respiratory and neuromuscular signs associated with imminent death. [Table: see text]


2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 121-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Tseng

AbstractThis article examines how an indigenous form of evangelicalism became the predominant form of Chinese Protestantism in the United States since 1949. Chinese-American Protestantism was so thoroughly reconstructed by separatist immigrants from the Diaspora and American-born (or American-raised) evangelicals that affiliation with mainline Protestant denominations and organizations is no longer desired. This development has revitalized Chinese-American Protestantism. Indeed, Chinese evangelicalism is one of the fastest-growing religions in China, the Chinese Diaspora, and among Chinese in America. Though the percentage of Chinese Americans affiliated with Christianity is not nearly as high as that of Korean Americans, Chinese-American Protestantism has achieved impressive numeric growth over the past fifty years. Much of this growth can be attributed to the large number of Chinese who have migrated to North America since World War II.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 283-283
Author(s):  
Mahdi Taha

283 Background: Prostate cancer is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality and in the next few years is expected to be the leading cause of death among men in the United States. Both the disease and its treatments produce a variety of symptoms that impact prostate cancer outcomes, of which the more common symptoms are in relation to sexual dysfunction. A large body of literature has established that systematic patient reporting of symptoms during routine oncology care leads to clinical benefits. At our comprehensive community cancer center we evaluate patients’ reported symptoms using the Symptom Inventory Tool (SIT), an assessment tool that captures the patients' perceived symptom burden for real-time clinical intervention taken at the point of no intervention and every ≥ 21 days thereafter. Methods: The 27-question SIT is comprised of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Tool (MDASI), a validated assessment instrument, with 8 supplementary questions and a free-text box added by Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Symptoms are rated “at the worst” on a numeric scale ranging from 0 to 10, as experienced by pts in the past 24 hours. The SIT became an integral part of patient care at CTCA beginning in 2012. Results: Over a 45 month period (9/1/2012 to 05/31/2016), prostate cancer pts at CTCA completed the SIT at intake and again ≥ 21 days after. A total of 2,937 assessments were analyzed. The assessments consisted of 1,065 completed at baseline, 1,065 completed at the 2nd follow up (FU), and 807 completed at 3rd FU or greater. Further analysis of baseline SIT identified the pts who rated the above symptoms as “very burdensome” with a score of ≥ 5. 2nd SIT results from these PC patients revealed that those with a heavier symptoms burden at baseline would be more likely to experience a significant decrease in their symptoms burden than the average PC patient population. Conclusions: The SIT was successful in identifying symptoms burden and interference with life issues in prostate cancer patients. Sexual dysfunction and disturbed sleep were the most common reported symptoms. Early identification of patients with heavy symptom-burden allowed immediate intervention and improvement in approximately a one-fourth to two-thirds of patients.


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