Impact of molecular alterations on quality of life and prognostic understanding over time in patients with incurable lung cancer: a multicenter, longitudinal, prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes over time in quality of life (QoL) in incurable lung cancer patients and the impact of determinants like molecular alterations (MA). METHODS: In a prospective, longitudinal, multicentric study, we assessed QoL, symptom burden, psychological distress, unmet needs, and prognostic understanding of patients diagnosed with incurable lung cancer at the time of the diagnosis (T0) and after 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) using validated questionnaires like FACT-L, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer (DT), PHQ-4, SCNS-SF-34, and SEIQoL. RESULTS: Two hundred seventeen patients were enrolled, 22 (10%) with reported MA. QoL scores improved over time, with a significant trend for DT, PHQ-4, and SCNS-SF-34. Significant determinants for stable or improving scores over time were survival > 6 months, performance status at the time of diagnosis, and presence of MA. Patients with MA showed better QoL scores (FACT-L at T1 104.4 vs 86.3; at T2 107.5 vs 90.0; at T3 100.9 vs 92.8) and lower psychological distress (NCCN DT at T1 3.3 vs 5; at T2 2.7 vs 4.5; at T3 3.7 vs 4.5; PHQ-4 at T1 2.3 vs 4.1; at T2 1.7 vs 3.6; at T3 2.2 vs 3.6), but also a worsening of the scores at 1 year and a higher percentage of inaccurate prognostic understanding (27 vs 17%) compared to patients without MA. CONCLUSION: Patients with tumors harboring MA are at risk of QoL deterioration during the course of the disease. Physicians should adapt their communication strategies in order to maintain or improve QoL.

Efficacy of the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) individual psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) therapy is superior to a non-manualized supportive psycho-oncological counselling intervention (SPI). METHODS: Adult patients with advanced cancer and ≥9 points on the PHQ-9 and/or ≥5 points on the DT were randomized to CALM or SPI. We hypothesized that CALM patients would report significantly less depression (primary outcome) on the BDI-II and the PHQ-9 6 months after baseline compared to SPI patients. RESULTS: From 329 eligible patients, 206 participated (61.2% female; age: M = 57.9 [SD = 11.7]; 84.5% UICC IV stage). Of them, 99 were assigned to CALM and 107 to SPI. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed significantly less depressive symptoms at 6 months than at baseline (P < .001 for BDI-II and PHQ-9), but participants in the CALM and SPI group did not differ in depression severity (BDI-II: P = .62, PHQ-9: P = .998). Group differences on secondary outcomes were statistically not significant either. CONCLUSIONS: CALM therapy was associated with reduction in depressive symptoms over time but this improvement was not statistically significant different than that obtained within SPI group.

Cancer patients' preferred and perceived level of involvement in treatment decision-making: an epidemiological study.

Background: We aimed to analyze preferred and perceived levels of patients' involvement in treatment decision-making in a representative sample of cancer patients.Material and Methods: We conducted a multicenter, epidemiological cross-sectional study with a stratified random sample based on the incidence of cancer diagnoses in Germany. Data were collected between January 2008 and December 2010. Analyses were undertaken between 2017 and 2019. We included 5889 adult cancer patients across all cancer entities and disease stages from 30 acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities, and cancer rehabilitation clinics in five regions in Germany. We used the Control Preferences Scale to assess the preferred level of involvement and the nine-item Shared Decision-Making Questionnaire to assess the perceived level of involvement.Results: About 4020 patients (mean age of 58 years, 51% female) completed the survey. Response rate was 68.3%. About a third each preferred patient-led, shared, or physician-led decision-making. About 50.7% perceived high levels, about a quarter each reported moderate (26.0%) or low (24.3%) levels of shared decision-making. Sex, age, relationship status, education, health care setting, and tumor entity were linked to preferred and/or perceived decision-making. Of those patients who preferred active involvement, about 50% perceived high levels of shared decision-making.Conclusion: The majority of patients with cancer wanted to be involved in medical decisions. Many patients perceived a high level of shared decision-making. However, many patients' level of involvement did not fit their preference. This study provides a solid basis for efforts to improve shared decision-making in German cancer care.

Depression and anxiety in long-term survivors 5 and 10 years after cancer diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Our study provides data on depression and anxiety in long-term cancer survivors, in men, women and various age groups, as well as identifies associated factors and coping-related resources. METHODS: We present data obtained from 1002 cancer survivors across a large variety of tumour entities 5 years (cohort 1) and 10 years (cohort 2) after diagnosis, in a cross-sectional study. We analysed depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptomatology in comparison with two large age- and sex-matched samples randomly selected from the general population. RESULTS: Moderate to severe depression and anxiety were reported in 17% and 9% of cancer survivors, respectively. There were no significant differences between the 5 years and 10 years after diagnosis cohorts (p = 0.232). In both cohorts, we found higher depression and anxiety in women than in men (p < 0.001), and lower depression and anxiety in elderly patients (p < 0.001). Cancer survivors younger than 60 years of age were more depressed and anxious than the general population (p < 0.001). The variables, financial problems (Beta = 0.16, p < 0.001), global quality of life (Beta = - 0.21, p < 0.001) and cognitive function (Beta = - 0.30, p < 0.001), had the strongest association with depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevention of depression and anxiety in long-term cancer survivors, individual treatment of physical and psychological symptoms is as important as social support and professional counselling. Post-treatment, cognitive limitations should be carefully assessed in long-term cancer survivorship to distinguish them from symptoms of a mental disorder, especially since younger cancer survivors of working age and female survivors seem to be more affected by depression and anxiety.

Perceived relatedness, death acceptance, and demoralization in patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: Close relationships can be strained by losses related to independence, autonomy, and separation after diagnosis of severe illness. The perceived quality of their close relationships affects individuals' psychological adaptation in this context. We explored the level of perceived relatedness and its impact on demoralization and death acceptance. We further examined a possible protective effect of perceived relatedness on the association between tumor stage and death acceptance. METHODS: For this observational study, we consecutively recruited gynecology outpatients and general surgery inpatients at the University Cancer Center Hamburg-Eppendorf and oncological inpatients at the LungenClinic Grosshansdorf, Germany. At baseline, 307 patients (age M = 59.6, 69% female, 69% advanced cancer) participated. At 6- and 12-month (T3) follow-up, 213 and 153 patients responded, respectively. Patients completed self-report questionnaires including a modified version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory assessing perceived relatedness, the Life Attitude Profile-Revised assessing death acceptance, the Demoralization Scale, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale assessing symptom burden. We calculated multiple linear regression analyses controlling for demographic and disease-related factors. RESULTS: Participants reported a stronger perceived relatedness at baseline (M = 3.04, SE = 0.03, possible range 0-4) than at T3 (M = 2.93, SE = 0.04; p = 0.02). Perceived relatedness significantly predicted lower demoralization at T3 but did not moderate the relationship between tumor stage and demoralization. Apart from male gender, none of the predictor or moderator variables had a significant impact on death acceptance at T3. CONCLUSIONS: The strong impact of perceived relatedness on existential distress emphasizes the importance of strengthening interpersonal relationships within psychosocial interventions.

[Why Me? - Causal Attributions and their Relation to Socio-Economic Status and Stigmatization in Breast, Colon, Prostate and Lung Cancer Patients]. / Warum gerade ich? ­ Subjektive Krankheitsursachen und Zusammenhänge zu sozialen Faktoren und wahrgenommener Stigmatisierung bei Brust-, Prostata-, Darm- und Lungenkrebspatienten.

BACKGROUND: Causal attributions can result in self-incrimination and psychosocial burden. Therefore, the present study assessed assumptions about subjective causes of cancer and examines their relationships with social factors and perceived stigmatization. METHODS: In a bicentric study, 858 patients with breast, colon, prostate or lung cancer were given standardized questionnaires. Of these, n=815 were included in the analyses. Causal attributions were assessed using a set of 17 items including main causes of cancer. Stigmatization was assessed with the Social Impact Scale (SIS-D). The data are evaluated uni-and multivariable. RESULTS: The mean age is 60 years, 54% are male. The majority of the patients (95%) state multiple causes of their disease. Environment is considered to be the most important influencing factor (M=3.0) by all cancer sites. The lowest influence is attributed to guilt/god's punishment (M=1.1). Causal attributions which are due to the lifestyle factors showed no higher correlations with stigmatizing attitudes than external attributions (r=0.07-0.38). Psychosocial factors (Beta=- 0.051 bis -0.086), smoking (Beta=- 0.087) and guilt/god's punishment (Beta=- 0.023) have been stated lowest in patients with high income. The lower the education of the patient the higher rated is the influence of contagion (Beta=- 0.019). CONCLUSION: Actual cancer risks are only partially taken into account as disease causes (e. g. nutrition), while others are underestimated (e. g. alcohol). Future cancer education interventions should focus on low-educated patients.

[Supportive Care and Information Needs of Cancer Survivors: A Comparison of Two Cohorts of Longterm Cancers Survivors 5 and 10 Years after Primary Cancer Diagnosis]. / Bedürfnisse nach Information und Unterstützung bei Krebspatienten: ein Kohortenvergleich von Langzeitüberlebenden fünf und zehn Jahre nach einer Krebsdiagnose.

OBJECTIVES: Addressing information and supportive care needs could enhance cancer survivors' ability to cope with the long-term and/or late effects of their disease. The study examines how long-term cancer survivors evaluate information received during the course of cancer and aims to identify supportive care needs. METHODS: The data were collected in a cross-sectional cancer registry cohort study including 1002 patients (participation rate 53%, five years post diagnosis n=660 (65.9%), 10 years post diagnosis n=342 (34.1%), mean age 66.7 years, male 52.9%, prostate cancer 25.5%). The survey instruments used included the SCNS-SF34-G, the PHQ-9, GAD-7, the Distress-Thermometer (DT) and a questionnaire measuring comorbidities. Descriptive and inference statistics were applied. RESULTS: Cancer Survivors perceived information on treatment decision-making as most helpful, whereas information about support offers was perceived as least helpful. One in 5 patients (19.6%) expressed a desire for further information. The majority of patients (81.3%) indicated at least one specific unmet supportive care need, on average 11 (SD=7.14) unmet supportive care needs. Most frequent supportive care needs are related to fear of cancer progression or recurrence, physical comorbidities and the wish for one member of the professional health care team with whom they can talk to continuously about medical issues across the treatment period. Higher physical comorbidity and distress are associated with an increased likelihood of further supportive care needs (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a need for survivorship care models that take into account medical aspects and psychosocial needs through a multidisciplinary approach.

INPART - a psycho-oncological intervention for partners of patients with haemato-oncological disease - study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Suffering from cancer confronts both the patient and their partner with a number of psychosocial challenges in various aspects of their life. These challenges may differentially impact on quality of life, coping ability and compliance to treatment. This especially holds true for haemato-oncological diseases. To date, psychological interventions have predominantly been developed for oncological patients however specific interventions for partners of haemato-oncological patients are rare. In this study we aim to conduct a psycho-oncological group-intervention for partners of patients with haemato-oncological diseases. The aim of the intervention is to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the partners and the patient, as well as enhancing dyadic coping. METHODS: The design of the INPART-study is an unblinded, randomised controlled trial with 2 treatment conditions (experimental and control) and assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months. It will be conducted at three study centres: the university medical centre's in Leipzig, Hannover and Ulm. The outcome criteria will be a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as an improvement of dyadic coping. DISCUSSION: This trial shall provide information regarding the efficiency of a psycho-oncological intervention for partners of patients with haemato-oncological diseases and give references to the possible outcome in terms of dyadic coping and the reduction of mental strain. The study was supported by a grant from the German José Carreras Leukaemia Foundation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN16085028 ; 20/03/2019.

Characterizing death acceptance among patients with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Death acceptance may indicate positive adaptation in cancer patients. Little is known about what characterizes patients with different levels of death acceptance or its impact on psychological distress. We aimed to broaden the understanding of death acceptance by exploring associated demographic, medical, and psychological characteristics. METHODS: At baseline, we studied 307 mixed cancer patients attending the University Cancer Center Hamburg and a specialized lung cancer center (age M = 59.6, 69% female, 69% advanced cancer). At 1-year follow-up, 153 patients participated. We assessed death acceptance using the validated Life Attitude Profile-Revised. Patients further completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, the Demoralization Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included multinomial and hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: At baseline, mean death acceptance was 4.33 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.3, range 1-7). There was no change to follow-up (P = 0.26). When all variables were entered simultaneously, patients who experienced high death acceptance were more likely to be older (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.07), male (OR = 3.59; 95% CI, 1.35-9.56), widowed (OR = 3.24; 95% CI, 1.01-10.41), and diagnosed with stage IV (OR = 2.44; 95% CI, 1.27-4.71). They were less likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer (OR = 0.20; 95% CI, 0.07-0.58), and their death acceptance was lower with every month since diagnosis (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99). High death acceptance predicted lower demoralization and anxiety at follow-up but not depression. CONCLUSIONS: High death acceptance was adaptive. It predicted lower existential distress and anxiety after 1 year. Advanced cancer did not preclude death acceptance, supporting the exploration of death-related concerns in psychosocial interventions.

Posttraumatic stress disorder among cancer patients-Findings from a large and representative interview-based study in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: In order to optimize psycho-oncologic care for patients with severe stressor-related symptomatology, we aimed to provide (a) valid and generalizable prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in oncological patients and (b) the percentage of PTSD cases elicited by cancer-related events. METHODS: This multi-center study was based on a representative sample of patients across cancer types. A diagnostic interview (CIDI-O) was used to assess PTSD according to DSM-IV. We first describe type and frequency of potentially traumatic events (A1-events) and the degree to which they meet the trauma criteria (A2-events). Subsequently, we present adjusted prevalence rates of PTSD and explore the proportion of patients with cancer-related PTSD. RESULTS: Four thousand twenty patients participated (response rate: 68 %), and 2141 completed the diagnostic interview; 1641 patients reported at least one A1-event, of whom 16% (n = 257) reported cancer-related events. Ninety-one percent (n = 232) of theses cancer-related events qualified as A2-events. Across cancer types, the adjusted 4-week prevalence of PTSD was 2.0% (95% CI, 1.5-2.7); 9% (n = 5) of the 4-week PTSD cases were cancer-related. CONCLUSIONS: Across cancer types and treatment settings, few cancer patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Of those, a mere fraction was attributable to cancer-related events. These robust findings should be taken into account in both research and practice to develop and provide adequate care for cancer patients with severe stressor-related symptomatology.

Age and gender differences in anxiety and depression in cancer patients compared with the general population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of anxiety and depression in cancer patients with those of the general population, to examine age and gender differences in anxiety and depression, to analyse the impact of several socio-demographic and clinical parameters on anxiety and depression, and to test the age and gender measurement invariance of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). METHODS: A sample of 3,785 German patients with cancer and a sample of 2,747 people of the German general population were examined using the HADS. RESULTS: Patients with cancer were more anxious but slightly less depressed than age- and gender-matched individuals of the general population. Young patients with cancer were particularly affected by anxiety. Measurement invariance across gender and age could be established. For all analysed clinical variables, including tumour site, tumour stage, metastases, setting and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status we found no significant interaction effects with gender that exceeded the 5% significance criterion. CONCLUSION: The HADS provides fair comparisons between age and gender groups. Gender differences in anxiety and depression can be generalised across the cancer sites and clinical subgroups. Young patients with cancer deserve special attention by the healthcare system.

[Aftermath of death of a seriously ill family member: Online survey of psychological distress and care satisfaction of relatives]. / Wie geht es Menschen nach dem Tod eines schwerkranken Angehörigen? ­ Onlinebefragung zur psychischen Belastung und Versorgungszufriedenheit von Hinterbliebenen.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess the level of psychosocial distress and satisfaction with care in family caregivers after the death of a close relative. METHOD: Anxiety and depression (HADS) of family caregivers were evaluated in both bereaved family caregivers and a comparable group from the general population. Furthermore, satisfaction with care (ZUF-8) and social support (HOPE-Module, ESSI) were assessed after the patients had died. Regression models were employed to analyze associations between psychological distress and sociodemographic and care-related variables. RESULTS: We conducted an online survey with 200 bereaved family caregivers (93% female, time since death of the relative: M=306 days). Of these, 31% were the primary caregiver. The bereaved caregivers were highly psychologically distressed (high anxiety: 41%/high depression: 35%). From the survivors' point of view, care at the end of life was partially insufficient: about one in three of the dying patients had suffered from pain and 20% had not been treated with dignity. After the relative had passed away, 44% of the bereaved caregivers did not get information about support offers; one in three missed emotional assistance. Dissatisfaction with care and support was associated with increased psychological distress, higher age and a shorter period of care. CONCLUSION: The high level of psychological distress in bereaved family caregivers suggests high supportive care needs, which are often not met in practice. Family caregivers need to be prepared for the time after their relative's death and should be offered psychosocial support.

[Selected Quality Characteristics Of Out-Patient Psychosocial Cancer Counseling Centers In Germany: A Nationwide Analysis]. / Ausgewählte Merkmale der Struktur- und Prozessqualität der psychosozialen Versorgung in ambulanten psychosozialen Krebsberatungsstellen in Deutschland. Eine Bestandsaufnahme.

OBJECTIVES: Quality assurance has become increasingly relevant in the field of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling. At the same time, no studies are currently available that analyze outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling centers in Germany with respect to standards of service quality. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether these centers meet selected quality criteria of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling. METHODS: Based on quality standards of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling previously developed by us in a Delphi study, we surveyed 106 out of 151 German psychosocial outpatient cancer counseling centers registered in a publicly accessible data base of Germany's cancer information service in Heidelberg with respect to the selected quality characteristics. Data analysis used descriptive statistical techniques. RESULTS: The centers of the sample differ in how many of them fulfill the quality standards selected for analysis here. More than 90% provide the services described by the standards as required. In contrast, in the personnel domain, there appears to be room for improvement with respect to the amount of service hours available for psychologists and the number of counselors with advanced training in psycho-oncology. Also, external supervision and case conferences turn out to be quality characteristics with room for improvement in the domain of quality assurance as do distress screening in the domain of diagnostics and using systematic documentation. CONCLUSION: Referring to recent standards of quality of outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling allowed us to delineate strength and weaknesses that may serve as starting points for quality improvement in the centers providing psychosocial cancer counseling. However, further research is necessary to arrive at a more comprehensive picture of the degree to which outpatient psychosocial cancer counseling centers in Germany comply with current standards of service quality.

[Outpatient Psychosocial Cancer Care at a University Medical Center - Study Results Concerning Patient Characteristics and Care Needs]. / Psychosoziale Versorgung von Krebspatienten in einer Krebsberatungsstelle an einem Universitätsklinikum.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial care for cancer patients has gained importance in recent years and psycho-oncological counselling centers (POCC's) offer a wide range of services in this area. We investigated the scope and content of a POCC at a university medical center. METHODS: The presented data were collected at the POCC at University Medical Center Leipzig in 2014. In total, 469 cancer patients participated (mean age 60 years, 67% female, 36% breast cancer). Psychosocial distress and psychopathology were assessed with the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and the NCCN Distress Thermometer. Descriptive statistics were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 in 4 patients (24%) reported at least moderate levels of depressive symptoms. Patients with hematological malignancies and head and neck tumors showed stronger depressive symptoms. 15% of patients suffered from elevated levels of anxiety. The average number of reported problems on the Distress Thermometer and Problem List was 14 out of 39. Physical and psychosocial problems were most prevalent (e. g. fatigue, problems getting around, anxiety). Supportive care needs were less common than reported problems. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a close network of POCS, oncological inpatient and outpatient care can help direct patients toward psychosocial care at an early stage. Psychosocial screening enables psycho-oncologists to identify problem areas and offer tailored counselling services.

[Psychosocial Care For Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Narrative Review]. / Psychosoziale Versorgung bei Patienten mit Amyotropher Lateralsklerose: Ein narrativer Review.

This narrative review gives a broad summary of the psychosocial strain in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and psychotherapeutic interventions addressing these issues. ALS is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease, which leads to weakness and atrophy in almost all muscles of the body, resulting in impairment and finally inability in all domains of daily life including mobility, food intake, respiration or communication. In addition to these mainly motor impairments, most patients are also affected by severe cognitive-emotional and behavioral alterations and deficits which may lead to additional distress. Due to the severe symptomatology and poor diagnosis, ALS can lead to significant psychosocial strain including heightened levels of depressive and anxious symptomatology, hopelessness and even the wish for hastened death. A large body of research demonstrates the strong effect of psychosocial aspects on quality of life (QoL) in ALS patients. Nevertheless, research on psychotherapeutic interventions for patients with ALS is very sparse to date. Besides the general lack of interventions and the methodological limitations in testing their efficacy, few of these therapeutic concepts incorporate the palliative character and the specific symptomatology of the disease such as impaired communication or problems with emotion control. Further research on psychosocial interventions in this patient group is therefore urgently needed. Future research could aim to adapt therapy programs that already have been proven to be effective in other populations with advanced diseases. Such research should also test the applicability of the therapy models using alternative communication including computer with a voice synthesizer or brain-computer-interfaces.

[Assessment of Couples' Communication in Patients with Advanced Cancer: Validation of a German Version of the Couple Communication Scale (CCS)]. / Die Erfassung der Paarkommunikation bei Patienten mit einer fortgeschrittenen Krebserkrankung: Validierung einer deutschen Version der Couple Communication Scale (CCS).

BACKGROUND: There are only a few valid instruments measuring couples' communication in patients with cancer for German speaking countries. The Couple Communication Scale (CCS) represents an established instrument to assess couples' communication. However, there is no evidence regarding the psychometric properties of the German version of the CCS until now and the assumed one factor structure of the CCS was not verified for patients with advanced cancer yet. METHOD: The CCS was validated as a part of the study "Managing cancer and living meaningfully" (CALM) on N=136 patients with advanced cancer (≥18 years, UICC-state III/IV). The psychometric properties of the scale were calculated (factor reliability, item reliability, average variance extracted [DEV]) and a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted (Maximum Likelihood Estimation). The concurrent validity was tested against symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (BDI-II) and attachment insecurity (ECR-M16). RESULTS: In the confirmatory factor analysis, the one factor structure showed a low, but acceptable model fit and explained on average 49% of every item's variance (DEV). The CCS has an excellent internal consistency (Cronbachs α=0,91) and was negatively associated with attachment insecurity (ECR-M16: anxiety: r=- 0,55, p<0,01; avoidance: r=- 0,42, p<0,01) as well as with anxiety (GAD-7: r=- 0,20, p<0,05) and depression (BDI-II: r=- 0,27, p<0,01). CONCLUSION: The CCS is a reliable and valid instrument measuring couples' communication in patients with advanced cancer.

[A group intervention to promote work ability in patients with head and neck cancer]. / Eine Gruppenintervention zur Förderung der Arbeitsfähigkeit für Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren.

INTRODUCTION: Despite high distress the majority of head and neck cancer patients does not use any psycho-oncological counselling or psychotherapeutic support. Additionally, patients with head and neck cancer have an increased risk of not returning to work compared to other cancer patients. Therefore, we have developed a group intervention program which aims at improving work ability in patients with head and neck cancer as well as their quality of life, self-efficacy and psychological well-being. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial head and neck cancer patients either receive a group intervention or socio-legal counselling. Male head and neck cancer patients with elevated levels of psychological and work-related distress are included. The group intervention consists of eight sessions. Groups are led by both a psychotherapist and a former head and neck cancer patient (peer). Feasibility and acceptability of the group intervention were tested by means of a pilot group. Each session was evaluated by pilot group participants. Semi-structured interviews were used to assess relevance of content and practicability. RESULTS: 113 patients were personally addressed, of which four patients participated in the pilot group. Patients reported that the intervention fit very well with their daily life and expressed satisfaction with it. Three patients emphasized the importance of the peer. DISCUSSION: The presence of the peer as identification figure seems to be of crucial importance. To increase recruitment numbers inclusion criteria will be modified and participation costs will be reduced.

Quality of life in survivors of hematological malignancies stratified by cancer type, time since diagnosis and stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Quality of life (QoL) has become an important tool to guide decision making in oncology. Given the heterogeneity among hematological cancer survivors, however, clinicians need comparative data across different subsets. METHODS: This study recruited survivors of hematological malignancies (≥2.5 years after diagnosis) from 2 German cancer registries. QoL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30. The sample was stratified by cancer type, time since diagnosis, treatment with stem cell transplantation (SCT) and type of SCT. First, levels of QoL were compared across subsamples when controlling for several covariates. Second, we contrasted subsamples with gender- and age-matched population controls obtained from the general population. RESULTS: Of 2001 survivors contacted by mail, 922 (46%) participated in the study. QoL did not significantly differ between the subsamples. All subsamples scored significantly lower in functioning and significantly higher in symptom burden compared to population controls (all P < .001). Almost all of these group effects reached clinically meaningful sizes (Cohen's d ≥ .5). Group differences in global health/QoL were mostly non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Hematological cancer survivors are associated with practically relevant impairments irrespective of differences in central medical characteristics. Nevertheless, survivors seem to evaluate their overall situation as relatively well.

Future Research in Psycho-Oncology.

Since the mid-1970s psycho-oncology and psycho-oncological research have been systematically developed in many industrialized countries and have produced nationally and internationally accepted guidelines. In this article developments and challenges are presented and discussed. From the perspective of various oncological treatment options, different needs for further psycho-oncological research are considered.

COMSKIL Communication Training in Oncology-Adaptation to German Cancer Care Settings.

Medical communication is a skill which can be learned and taught and which can substantially improve treatment outcomes, especially if patients' communication preferences are taken into account. Here, we give an overview of communication training research and outline the COMSKIL program as a state-of-the-art communication skills training in oncology. COMSKIL has a solid theoretical foundation and teaches core elements of medical communication in up to ten fully operationalized modules. These address typical situations ranging from breaking bad news to responding to difficult emotions, shared decision-making, and communicating via interpreters.