The impact of age on complications, survival, and cause of death following colon cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Given scarce data regarding the relationship among age, complications, and survival beyond the 30-day postoperative period for oncology patients in the United States, this study identified age-related differences in complications and the rate and cause of 1-year mortality following colon cancer surgery. METHODS: The NY State Cancer Registry and Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System identified stage I-III colon cancer resections (2004-2011). Multivariable logistic regression and survival analyses assessed the relationship among age (<65, 65-74, ⩾75), complications, 1-year survival, and cause of death. RESULTS: Among 24 426 patients surviving >30 days, 1-year mortality was 8.5%. Older age groups had higher complication rates, and older age and complications were independently associated with 1-year mortality (P<0.0001). Increasing age was associated with a decrease in the proportion of deaths from colon cancer with a concomitant increase in the proportion of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Older age and sepsis were independently associated with higher risk of colon cancer-specific death (65-74: HR=1.59, 95% CI=1.26-2.00; ⩾75: HR=2.57, 95% CI=2.09-3.16; sepsis: HR=2.58, 95% CI=2.13-3.11) and cardiovascular disease-specific death (65-74: HR=3.72, 95% CI=2.29-6.05; ⩾75: HR=7.02, 95% CI=4.44-11.10; sepsis: HR=2.33, 95% CI=1.81-2.99). CONCLUSIONS: Older age and sepsis are associated with higher 1-year overall, cancer-specific, and cardiovascular-specific mortality, highlighting the importance of geriatric assessment, multidisciplinary care, and cardiovascular optimisation for older patients and those with infectious complications.

Surgical readmissions: results of integrating pre-, peri- and postsurgical care.

AIMS: To explore the feasibility of recruiting surgical oncology patients and implementing a surgical integrated discharge (SID) programme led by advanced practice providers (APP). BACKGROUND: Burden of illness and complexity of treatment regimen makes it challenging for surgical oncology patients to participate in research. Surgical oncology nurses may have the necessary expertise to overcome this problem. DESIGN: Controlled longitudinal prospective observational study. METHODS: The SID programme included multidisciplinary care coordination, regular communication among APPs and proactive postdischarge follow-up. Administrative databases were used to identify matching historical controls (n = 113) and evaluate programme outcomes. RESULTS: Patient enrolment was 84%. The main challenges for the programme implementation included incompatible health information systems among care settings, variation in care processes among hospital units and need for provider behaviour change. CONCLUSIONS: Most surgical oncology patients are willing to participate in outcomes programmes when contacted by familiar clinical personnel but programme implementation requires leadership support, communication among care teams and training and infrastructure.

Chemotherapy plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with inoperable colorectal liver metastases.

AIM: To access the efficacy of chemotherapy plus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as one line of treatment in inoperable colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: Eligible patients were included in three Phase II studies. In the first study percutaneous RFA was used first followed by 6 cycles of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and irinotecan combination (FOLFIRI) (adjunctive chemotherapy trial). In the other two, chemotherapy (FOLFIRI or 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin combination) up to 12 cycles was used first with percutaneous RFA offered to responding patients (primary chemotherapy trials). RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included in the adjunctive chemotherapy trial and 17 in the other two. At inclusion they had 1-4 liver metastases (up to 6.5 cm in size). Two patients died during chemotherapy. All patients in the adjunctive chemotherapy trial and 44% in the primary chemotherapy studies had their metastases ablated. Median PFS and overall survival in the adjunctive study were 13 and 24 mo respectively while in the primary chemotherapy studies they were 10 and 21 mo respectively. Eighty one percent of the patients had tumour relapse in at least one previously ablated lesion. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy plus RFA in patients with low volume inoperable colorectal liver metastases seems safe and relatively effective. The high local recurrence rate is of concern.