COVID-19 severity and cardiovascular outcomes in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Background: Data regarding outcomes among patients with cancer and co-morbid cardiovascular disease (CVD)/cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) after SARS-CoV-2 infection are limited. Objectives: To compare Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related complications among cancer patients with and without co-morbid CVD/CVRF. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with cancer and laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2, reported to the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) registry from 03/17/2020 to 12/31/2021. CVD/CVRF was defined as established CVD or no established CVD, male ≥ 55 or female ≥ 60 years, and one additional CVRF. The primary endpoint was an ordinal COVID-19 severity outcome including need for hospitalization, supplemental oxygen, intensive care unit (ICU), mechanical ventilation, ICU or mechanical ventilation plus vasopressors, and death. Secondary endpoints included incident adverse CV events. Ordinal logistic regression models estimated associations of CVD/CVRF with COVID-19 severity. Effect modification by recent cancer therapy was evaluated. Results: Among 10,876 SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with cancer (median age 65 [IQR 54-74] years, 53% female, 52% White), 6253 patients (57%) had co-morbid CVD/CVRF. Co-morbid CVD/CVRF was associated with higher COVID-19 severity (adjusted OR: 1.25 [95% CI 1.11-1.40]). Adverse CV events were significantly higher in patients with CVD/CVRF (all p<0.001). CVD/CVRF was associated with worse COVID-19 severity in patients who had not received recent cancer therapy, but not in those undergoing active cancer therapy (OR 1.51 [95% CI 1.31-1.74] vs. OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.90-1.20], pinteraction <0.001). Conclusions: Co-morbid CVD/CVRF is associated with higher COVID-19 severity among patients with cancer, particularly those not receiving active cancer therapy. While infrequent, COVID-19 related CV complications were higher in patients with comorbid CVD/CVRF. (COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium Registry [CCC19]; NCT04354701).

Cardiac Metastasis in a Living Patient With Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Metastatic cardiac tumors are mainly diagnosed postmortem, while cardiac metastases of laryngeal cancer are exceedingly rare. We report a case of laryngeal carcinoma with subsequent metastatic disease to the heart diagnosed nine months after surgical resection of laryngeal cancer. Additionally, we attempted to summarize published case reports of laryngeal cancer with cardiac metastasis. Retrospective chart review and literature search via PubMed and Google Scholar were performed. Twenty cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with cardiac metastatic tumors were identified. We described demographics, typical features seen on diagnostic studies, and analyzed current literature on incidence, diagnostic studies, treatment options, and prognosis of secondary cardiac tumors. More data are needed to decide on the optimal treatment strategy for metastatic cardiac disease.

We need to do better: Readability analysis of online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation.

OBJECTIVE: National Institute of Health recommends that patient education material should be written at no greater than 6th-grade level. Cancer survivorship and fertility preservation discussion with patients is recommended by many national societies and being done more frequently. We sought to analyze online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation to see if they meet the criteria set by national guidelines. METHODS: Online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation was collected and analyzed by six of the most common readability tests. Only websites in English and free to access were used. RESULTS: A total of 15 separate websites for cancer survivorship and fertility preservation was used. All websites failed to meet national guidelines. Cancer survivorship information was written at a high school senior and a 12th-grade level. Fertility preservation information was written at a high school-senior and junior college level. CONCLUSION: Online patient information on cancer survivorship and fertility preservation did not meet national guidelines. Testing across six of the most used readability indexes showed that information is challenging to understand for the general patient population. POLICY STATEMENT: This article shares an insight into the complex and growing fields of cancer survivorship and fertility preservation. Educating patients about their condition is critical and improves outcomes and participation in shared decision making. Healthcare policy should focus on implementing a system that will provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information in the community for patients about their disease.

Impact of Opioid Use in Hematological Malignancies: Clinical, Immunological and Concomitant Aspects.

Opioid agents play a unique role in pain and symptom management for cancer patients. Research shows that opiate use, especially when associated with underlying cancer, has significant effects on hematological parameters. These changes may lead to greater risk for immunosuppression, tumor growth and progression of metastatic processes. The aim of this review is to explore the effects of opiates on various metabolic and biological processes, as well as the hematopoietic system, especially in cancer patients. Our findings demonstrate that the tumor-promoting effects of opiates remain contradictory, as both growth-promoting and anti-tumor effects have been observed. However, available data suggest that opiates can facilitate the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, and understanding of this process on cancer treatment is tremendously important.

The Public Health Concerns of Marijuana Legalization: An Overview of Current Trends.

The objective of this study was to conduct a review of the benefits and adverse effects of cannabis (or marijuana) legalization in various states across the US. The current study offers a preliminary evaluation of the problems concerning marijuana legalization in several states, with the primary goal being the assessment of the impact of laws and policies governing the legalization and use of marijuana for medical purposes. A comprehensive search on cannabis and its derivatives was performed using multiple resource databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials), government web sources, and the Department of Public Health databases. A total of 47 reports that evaluated the effects of cannabis legalization were included in this review. All review stages were conducted independently by two reviewers. Data were extracted in standardized tables by one reviewer and adjusted by a second, which were verified by the third author. We examined the use of cannabis before and after the changes in policy and the impact of marijuana legalization on traffic safety, behavior and educational achievement in adolescents, public health, tax revenues, criminal justice expenditures, and financial outcomes. We analyzed the effects and consequences of marijuana use in states that have or have not legalized marijuana. This report also includes the responsiveness of the people in states where marijuana is legalized and its value in the healthcare system. Our study highlights the existing limitations of reviews that probe the effect of decriminalizing marijuana in some states of the country. Our analysis shows that detailed and precise evaluation of policy dynamics must be conducted, taking into account the heterogeneity in population sub-groups and policies. Accordingly, in states where marijuana is used for its medicinal value and recreational purposes, people have different views on the legalization of marijuana. The complete effect of legalizing and commercializing marijuana on consumers' mental health and their educational outcomes is expected to take a longer duration prior to its achievement; unfortunately, fewer merits are anticipated. Most of the reports evaluated in this article proved to be marred with inconsistencies. Many of the stated claims did not pass a methodical evaluation. Going forward, additional data from available sources will lead to stronger conclusions. We weighed the pros and cons of marijuana legalization. However, we are certain that consumers can make better decisions by weighing each opinion by its reliability and safety.