Clinical validation of a prognostic tool in a population of outpatients treated for incurable cancer undergoing anticancer therapy: PRONOPALL study.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, a study of the characteristics of hospitalised patients led to the development of a prognostic tool that distinguished three populations with significantly different 2-month survival rates. The goal of our study aimed at validating prospectively this prognostic tool in outpatients treated for cancer in terminal stage, based on four factors: performance status (ECOG) (PS), number of metastatic sites, serum albumin and lactate dehydrogenase. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PRONOPALL is a multicentre study of current care. About 302 adult patients who met one or more of the following criteria: life expectancy under 6 months, performance status ≥ 2 and disease progression during the previous chemotherapy regimen were included across 16 institutions between October 2009 and October 2010. Afterwards, in order to validate the prognostic tool, the score was ciphered and correlated to patient survival. RESULTS: Totally 262 patients (87%) were evaluable (27 patients excluded and 13 unknown score). Median age was 66 years [37-88], and women accounted for 59%. ECOG PS 0-1 (46%), PS 2 (37%) and PS 3-4 (17%). The primary tumours were: breast (29%), colorectal (28%), lung (13%), pancreas (12%), ovary (11%) and other (8%). About 32% of patients presented one metastatic site, 35% had two and 31% had more than two. The median lactate dehydrogenase level was 398 IU/l [118-4314]; median serum albumin was 35 g/l [13-54]. According to the PRONOPALL prognostic tool, the 2-month survival rate was 92% and the median survival rate was 301 days [209-348] for the 130 patients in population C, 66% and 79 days [71-114] for the 111 patients in population B, and 24% and 35 days for [14-56] the 21 patients in population A. These three populations survival were statistically different (P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: PRONOPALL study confirms the three prognostic profiles defined by the combination of four factors. This PRONOPALL score is a useful decision-making tool in daily practice.

[Prophylactic surgery in patients mutated BRCA or high risk: retrospective study of 61 patients in the ICO]. / La chirurgie prophylactique chez les patientes mutées BRCA ou à haut risque: étude rétrospective de 61 patientes de l'ICO.

BACKGROUND: Genetic predisposition is involved in only 10% of patients with breast cancer. This study was to evaluate the impact of prophylactic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 61 patients who received prophylactic breast surgery. Data collection was carried out through the computer file of the ICO. The inclusion criteria were: patients who benefited from a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. There were no exclusion criteria. Patients received a satisfaction questionnaire to complete. RESULTS: Our study included 61 patients, 67% had a history of breast cancer. Bilateral prophylactic surgery was performed in 40 patients. It was made an average of two interventions, 44.3% of them presented postoperative complications, 18% recovery. Forty-three patients were satisfied with the medical information before surgery. The end result matched the expectations of 54.4% and 67.4% of patients would be ready to start. It was found pain associated with breast surgery in 56.5% of patients and almost half reported a change in their sexual life. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Prophylactic mastectomy is the most effective technique to prevent the risk of breast cancer. The consequences of such an action are important. It is necessary to better select patients who would benefit most from this type of surgery.