Systemic anticancer therapy near the end of life: an analysis of factors influencing treatment in advanced tumor disease.

BACKGROUND: Systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) for advanced cancer patients with limited prognosis before death is associated with high toxicity and reduced quality of life. Guidelines discourage this approach as low-value care. However, a significant number of patients continue to receive SACT in the last 30 days of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out at the University Hospital Krems, encompassing the analysis of patients who were diagnosed with a solid tumor and died between 2017 and 2021, with a particular focus on the use of end-of-life (EOL) SACT. RESULTS: A total of 685 patients were included in the study. SACT was applied in 342 (49.9%) patients, of whom 143 (41.8%, total population: 20.9%) patients received SACT within the last 30 days of life. Median time from last SACT to death was 44.5 days. The analysis of potential factors impacting the administration of EOL SACT revealed the following significant findings: type of SACT [P < 0.001, targeted therapy odds ratio (OR) 5.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.26-11.48; chemotherapy/targeted therapy OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.47-8.82; immune checkpoint inhibitor OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.37-3.92], no referral to palliative care (PC) (P = 0.009, OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.16-2.96), no admission to PC ward (P < 0.001, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.67-4.35), and poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (≥2, P < 0.001, OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.93-5.83). CONCLUSION: The timing of SACT near the EOL is significantly influenced by several factors, including the type of SACT, referral to PC services, admission to PC unit, and ECOG performance status. These findings underscore the complexity of treatment decisions in advanced cancer care and highlight the need for personalized, patient-centered approaches that consider both clinical and patient-related factors to optimize care at the EOL.

Timely integration of palliative care. the reality check. a retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: A large volume of literature suggests that timely integration of palliative care (PC) enhances the well-being, quality of life and satisfaction of patients and their families. It may also positively impact clinical outcomes and healthcare costs throughout the disease trajectory. Therefore, reviewing clinical practice to reflect real-life situations regarding timely PC integration is essential. METHODS: This study, conducted at the Vienna General Hospital between March 2016 and August 2022, retrospectively examined PC consultation (PCC) requests. It aimed to assess the timeliness of PC integration by analysing the duration between diagnosis and the first PCC request, as well as the interval between the first PCC request and death. RESULTS: This study included 895 PCCs. The median time from diagnosis to the first PCC was 16.6 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.9-48.4) months, while the median time from the first PCC to death was 17.2 (IQR: 6.1-50.7) days. The median time from diagnosis to first PCC was 10.4 months in females (confidence interval (CI): 6.0-14.8) compared to 10.6 months in males (CI: 8.1-13.1; p = 0.675). There were no gender disparities in the time from first PCC to death, with a median of 23.3 days (CI: 15.6-31.0) for females and 22.3 days (CI: 16.2-28.4) for males (p = 0.93). Fifty percent of patients died between 5 and 47 days after the first PCC. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the discrepancy between the clinical perception of PC as end-of-life care and the existing literature, thereby emphasising the importance of timely PC integration.

ESMO Designated Centres of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care (ESMO DCs): education, research and programme development survey.

BACKGROUND: The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Designated Centres (DCs) of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care is an incentive programme established in 2003 aiming to improve the integration of oncology and palliative care services provided by oncologists and oncology centres worldwide. Currently, the ESMO DCs programme has over 250 centres accredited from 54 countries worldwide, in all six world regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate how ESMO can support centres to improve programme development, education and research and vice versa what each single centre can do to improve in these areas, we developed a survey which was shared with all active centres. Two hundred and seven ESMO DCs representing 44 countries were invited to participate. We used content analysis to identify response categories using a stepwise approach. After reviewing and coding all responses to each question separately, they were placed into categories, counted and labelled. RESULTS: Of the 207 centres that were invited to participate, 146 centres started the survey, representing 43 countries. Five overarching topics were identified. They included (i) joint events and educational activities; (ii) sharing of materials and defining common standards; (iii) sharing of experiences, scientific knowledge and expertise; (iv) research collaboration; and (v) ESMO support. Respondents were willing to support the ESMO DC community group in all topics and were also asking ESMO to support their centres in these issues in the future. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the ESMO DCs are willing to provide support to improve education, research and programme development. They are also eager to contribute and collaborate amongst each other, but also request ESMO to offer advice and help to improve these issues in the DCs. In the future, facilitation of joint research projects and development of arenas to share experiences, educational and programme developments, and other resources are to be explored and could be offered to the DCs worldwide.

Median raphe cysts of the penis.

The occurrence of a ventral cystic lesion of the penis should alert the clinician to the diagnosis of a median raphe cyst. The lesions, which are most common near the glans penis, may occur anywhere from the urethral meatus to the anus. Cysts of the median raphe represent defects in the embryologic development of the genitalia and are usually lined by entodermal epithelium. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.