scholarly journals Desire for Information and Preference for Participation in Treatment Decisions in Patients With Cancer Presenting to the Department of General Surgery in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sushmitha Dharani Sankar ◽  
Baskaran Dhanapal ◽  
Gomathi Shankar ◽  
Balamourougan Krishnaraj ◽  
Sandhya Karra ◽  
...  

Purpose Providing appropriate information to patients about their illness helps them to cope with the diagnosis. Shared decision making is a key concept in managing patients with cancer. There are no data available about the desire for information and preference for participation in treatment decisions among Indian patients with cancer. The objective of this study was to estimate the proportion of patients who have information needs and to study the patient preference for participation in treatment decisions and the factors associated with them. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients with cancer older than 18 years. They were interviewed with a questionnaire after signing an informed consent. The association of sex, educational level, residence, diagnosis (type of cancer), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and treatment status with information needs and decision-making preference was analyzed using χ2 test Results Approximately 81% of patients said that they had an absolute need to know if the illness was cancer, and > 70% of patients either had an absolute need to know or would like to know about the prognosis, treatment options, and adverse effects. Regarding the decision-making preferences, 97% wanted their treating physicians to make the decision regarding their treatment, and 66% preferred to share decision making with their family. Conclusion The majority of the patients with cancer expressed a need for knowing whether they had cancer. When it comes to treatment decisions, most of them preferred a passive role, and the majority wanted to involve their families in the decision-making process. We recommend that the treating physician should elicit the patient’s preference in participating in treatment decisions and their preference about involving their family in making treatment decisions

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 53-57
Author(s):  
Saurav Verma ◽  
Kaushal Kalra ◽  
Sameer Rastogi ◽  
Ekta Dhamija ◽  
Avinash Upadhyay ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is sparse literature on trabectedin in advanced soft-tissue sarcomas from developing world. It would be interesting to know about use and outcomes of trabectedin in Indian patients. Method In a retrospective study, consecutive patients treated with trabectedin from 2016 to 2019 were analyzed. Patients with L-sarcomas were treated at a dose of 1.5 mg/m2, while those with translocation-related sarcomas were treated at a dose of 1.2 mg/m2 as a 24-hour infusion through peripherally inserted central catheter line. From July 2019, infusions were administered through an ambulatory elastomeric pump, while before that patients were admitted for 24 hours. We used SPSS version 23.0 for statistical calculation. Result A total of 20 patients received trabectedin with a total of 116 infusions. The median age was 46 years (range: 22–73 years). The male (n = 11, 55%) and female patients were almost equal (n = 9, 45%). Thirteen patients (65%) had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 1. Majority of the patients had leiomyosarcoma (n = 8, 40%); remaining comprised of liposarcoma (3, 15%), translocation-related sarcomas excluding myxoid liposarcoma (n = 8, 40%) and others (n = 1,5%). Most common site was extremity (n = 11, 55%) followed by retroperitoneal (n = 3, 15%), visceral (n = 3, 15%), and others (n = 3,15%). Median number of previous lines received was 2 (range: 0–4). Median number of trabectedin cycles received was 4 (range: 1–17). Best response assessed was stable disease (n = 10, 50%), progressive disease (n = 6, 30%), partial response (n = 1, 5%), and not assessed in 3 patients. After a median follow-up of 19 months, median progression-free survival was 4 months. Conclusion In this heavily treated population (composed of L-sarcomas and translocation-related sarcomas) with many patients with poor performance status, the outcome with trabectedin is in synchrony with literature. However, the need of 24-hour admission might deter quality of life. Elastomeric pump seems to be a reasonable alternative to admission and can be a breakthrough in administering trabectedin, especially in developing countries.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (17) ◽  
pp. 1921-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuyuki Katakami ◽  
Koji Oda ◽  
Katsunori Tauchi ◽  
Ken Nakata ◽  
Katsunori Shinozaki ◽  
...  

Purpose This randomized, double-blind, multicenter study aimed to determine the dose of naldemedine, a peripherally-acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist, for future trials by comparing the efficacy and safety of three doses of naldemedine versus placebo in patients with cancer and opioid-induced constipation. Methods Patients ≥ 18 years old with cancer, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2, who had been receiving a stable regimen of opioid analgesics for ≥ 2 weeks, had at least one constipation symptom despite laxative use, and no more than five spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) during the past 14 days, were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to oral, once-daily naldemedine 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg, or placebo, for 14 days. The primary end point was change in SBM frequency per week from baseline during the treatment period. Secondary end points included SBM responder rates, change from baseline in the frequency of SBM without straining, and complete SBM. Safety was also assessed. Results Of 227 patients who were randomly assigned, 225 were assessed for efficacy (naldemedine 0.1 mg, n = 55; 0.2 mg, n = 58; 0.4 mg, n = 56; placebo, n = 56) and 226 for safety. Change in SBM frequency (primary end point) was higher with all naldemedine doses versus placebo ( P < .05 for all comparisons), as were SBM responder rates and change in complete SBM frequency. Change in SBM frequency without straining was significantly improved with naldemedine 0.2 and 0.4 (but not 0.1) mg versus placebo (at least P < .05). Treatment-emergent adverse events were more common with naldemedine (0.1 mg: 66.1%; 0.2 mg: 67.2%; 0.4 mg: 78.6%) than placebo (51.8%); the most common treatment-emergent adverse event was diarrhea. Conclusion Fourteen-day treatment with naldemedine significantly improved opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer and was generally well tolerated. Naldemedine 0.2 mg was selected for phase III studies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1084-1092
Author(s):  
Guilherme Nader Marta ◽  
Renata Colombo Bonadio ◽  
Odeli Nicole Encinas Sejas ◽  
Gabriel Watarai ◽  
Maria Cecilia Mathias Machado ◽  
...  

PURPOSE Patients with cancer are at increased risk for unfavorable outcomes from COVID-19. Knowledge about the outcome determinants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in this population is essential for risk stratification and definition of appropriate management. Our objective was to evaluate prognostic factors for all-cause mortality in patients diagnosed with both cancer and COVID-19. METHODS All consecutive patients with cancer hospitalized at our institution with COVID-19 were included. Electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical and laboratory characteristics potentially associated with outcomes. RESULTS Five hundred seventy-six consecutive patients with cancer and COVID-19 were included in the present study. An overall in-hospital mortality rate of 49.3% was demonstrated. Clinical factors associated with increased risk of death because of COVID-19 were age over 65 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status > 0 zero, best supportive care, primary lung cancer, and the presence of lung metastases. Laboratory findings associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes were neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and elevated levels of D-dimer, creatinine, C-reactive protein, or AST. CONCLUSION A high mortality rate in patients with cancer who were diagnosed with COVID-19 was demonstrated in the present study, emphasizing the need for close surveillance in this group of patients, especially in those with unfavorable prognostic characteristics.


2021 ◽  

Objectives: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is the main cause of death in cancer patients, but there are limited prognostic tools for the patients with active cancer and acute PE. We aimed to identify prognostic factors of 30-day mortality in patients with active cancer and acute PE. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all adult patients aged ≥18 years with active cancer and acute PE from February 2017 to February 2019 at the emergency department in tertiary care hospital, Seoul, Korea. The primary outcome is 30-day mortality. Results: A total of 178 patients were included with a mean age of 63.9 years (SD 10.4) and males of 52.8%. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 30.9%. In a multivariable logistic analysis, high D-dimer, defined as ≥median value of 14.7 µg/mL, with odds ratio (OR) 2.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–5.33), high Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) scores with OR 2.95 (95% CI, 1.21–7.75) for class IV and OR 2.90 (95% CI, 1.06–7.90) for class V, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 3/4 with OR 3.22 (95% CI, 1.18–8.76) were independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Conclusion: High D-dimer values, high PESI scores, and poor ECOG performance status may be reliable predictors of mortality in patients with active cancer and acute PE.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN D. PASSIK ◽  
ALICE INMAN ◽  
KENNETH KIRSH ◽  
DALE THEOBALD ◽  
PAMELA DICKERSON

Objective: The problem of boredom in people with cancer has received little research attention, and yet clinical experience suggests that it has the potential to profoundly affect quality of life in those patients. We were interested in developing a Purposelessness, Understimulation, and Boredom (PUB) Scale to identify this problem and to begin to differentiate it from depression.Methods: Cancer patients and professionals were interviewed using a semi-structured format to elicit their perceptions of the incidence, causes, scope, and consequences of boredom. From their responses, 45 questions were developed, edited for clarity, and piloted. A total of 100 cancer patients were recruited to participate in the study. Preliminary validation of the PUB using a cross-sectional survey of the measure was conducted. Other instruments used for purposes of convergent and divergent validity included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale–Anemia, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Boredom Proneness Scale, Leisure Boredom Scale, Cancer Behavior Inventory, Systems of Belief Inventory, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale.Results: The average age of the sample was 62.37 years (SD = 13.43) and was comprised of 60 women (60.00%) and 40 men (40.00%). The results of a factor analysis on the 45 initial items (selected on the basis of professional and patient interviews) created a two-factor scale. The eight items from the strongest factor (items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10) seemed to best tap the construct that could be deemed as overt boredom whereas the six items of the second factor (items 36, 38, 39, 42, 44, 45) seemed to tap the construct of boredom related to meaning and spirituality. Total scale internal consistency, when all 14 items were included in the analysis, yielded a coefficient alpha of 0.84 and good test–retest reliability at 2 weeks (r = .80, p < .001). The novel 14-item PUB Scale was significantly correlated to other measures of boredom; the Boredom Proneness Scale (r = −.588, p < .001) and the Leisure Boredom Scale (r = .576, p < .001).Significance of results: The PUB Scale was found to be a statistically viable tool with the ability to detect boredom and differentiate it from depression. In many respects this work is in concert with much of the current research and clinical effort going on in psycho-oncology that defines components of distress that in sum, redefines depression in advanced cancer.


Author(s):  
Shubham Lingappanoor ◽  
Geetha Rani Manupati ◽  
Vasthalya Meesala ◽  
Padma Yaragani ◽  
Brahmani Bachu ◽  
...  

Background: Cervical cancer is becoming one of the emerging health burdens for womenhood and India accounts for one-third of the cervical cancer deaths globally. More than 80% of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. In this study, we aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QOL) of patients with cervical cancer after treatment and to examine the factors affecting their QOL. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, included 218 cervical cancer patients. The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Warangal of Telangana State. The impact of socioeconomic factors and clinical factors on the QOL of the patients were studied using Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance status (ECOG-PS) scale. The protocol was approved by KIEC-KMC, Warangal. The statistical analysis was performed by using Fischer's Exact test, a value of p<.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of 218 patients 189 were alive and 29 were deceased. Patient of age group 21-40 years, patients from urban areas, from upper socioeconomic status (SES), patients with literacy, without any social habits had good QOL, where as patients in labour forces had poor QOL and are statistically significant. Patients with early stage at diagnosis and patients underwent surgical treatment along with chemoradiation therapy had good QOL yet, these results are statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The lack of access to preventive and definitive care by the health care sectors, poor socioeconomic status, educational status of the women and awareness regarding the disease and its treatment patterns resulted in poor follow up, low adherence to the treatment, which accentuated the cervical cancer burden. Hence, enhancing the above listed factors could be beneficial in improving QOL of cervical cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimpei Yamashita ◽  
Yuya Iwahashi ◽  
Haruka Miyai ◽  
Takashi Iguchi ◽  
Hiroyuki Koike ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the influence of myosteatosis on survival of patients after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. We retrospectively identified 230 patients who underwent RC for bladder cancer at our three institutions between 2009 and 2018. Digitized free-hand outlines of the left and right psoas muscles were made on axial non-contrast computed tomography images at level L3. To assess myosteatosis, average total psoas density (ATPD) in Hounsfield Units (HU) was also calculated as an average of bilateral psoas muscle density. We compared cancer-specific survival (CSS) between high ATPD and low ATPD groups and performed cox regression hazard analyses to identify the predictors of CSS. Median ATPD was 44 HU (quartile: 39–47 Hounsfield Units). Two-year CSS rate in overall patients was 76.6%. Patients with low ATPD (< 44 HU) had significantly lower CSS rate (P = 0.01) than patients with high ATPD (≥ 44 HU). According to multivariate analysis, significant independent predictors of poor CSS were: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 1 (P = 0.03), decreasing ATPD (P = 0.03), non-urothelial carcinoma (P = 0.01), pT ≥ 3 (P < 0.01), and pN positive (P < 0.01). In conclusion, myosteatosis (low ATPD) could be a novel predictor of prognosis after RC for bladder cancer.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1388
Author(s):  
Manlio Mencoboni ◽  
Marcello Ceppi ◽  
Marco Bruzzone ◽  
Paola Taveggia ◽  
Alessia Cavo ◽  
...  

Immunotherapy based on anti PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors is the new standard of advanced non-small cell lung cancers. Pembrolizumab, nivolumab and atezolizumab are used in clinical practice. The strict eligibility criteria of clinical trials do not allow researchers to fully represent treatment effects in the patients that will ultimately use these drugs. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these drugs, and more generally of ICIs, as second-line therapy in NSCLC patients in real world practice. MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched to include original studies published between January 2015 and April 2020. A total of 32 studies was included in the meta-analysis. The overall radiological response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 21%, 52%, 3.35 months and 9.98 months, respectively. The results did not change when analysis was adjusted for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) and age. A unitary increase in the percent of patients with liver and CNS metastases reduced the occurrence of DCR by 7% (p < 0.001) and the median PFS by 2% (p = 0.010), respectively. The meta-analysis showed that the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in everyday practice is comparable to that in clinical trials.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Chen ◽  
Jingfang Mao ◽  
Ningyi Ma ◽  
Kai-Liang Wu ◽  
Jiade Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tracheobronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma (TACC) is a rare tumour. About one-third of patients miss their chance of surgery or complete resection as it is mostly detected in the advanced stage; hence, photon radiotherapy (RT) is used. However, the outcomes of photon RT remain unsatisfactory. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is thought to improve the therapeutic gain ratio; however, the outcomes of CIRT in TACC are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects and toxicities of CIRT in patients with TACC. Methods The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) age 18–80 years; 2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 0–2; 3) histologically confirmed TACC; 4) stage III–IV disease; 5) visible primary tumour; and 6) no previous RT history. The planned prescription doses of CIRT were 66–72.6 GyE/22–23 fractions. The rates of overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment-induced toxicities and tumour response were scored according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, respectively. Results Eighteen patients with a median age of 48 (range 30–73) years were enrolled. The median follow-up time was 20.7 (range 5.8–44.1) months. The overall response rate was 88.2%. Five patients developed lung metastasis after 12.2–41.0 months and one of them experienced local recurrence at 31.9 months after CIRT. The rates of 2-year OS, LC, and PFS were 100, 100, and 61.4%, respectively. Except for one patient who experienced grade 4 tracheal stenosis, which was relieved after stent implantation, no other ≥3 grade toxicities were observed. Conclusions CIRT might be safe and effective in the management of TACC based on a short observation period. Further studies with more cases and longer observation are warranted.


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