What do patients and oncologists think about the evaluation and management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia? The Quasar_SEOM study.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition and early detection and raising awareness of nutritional issues is crucial in this population. METHODS: The Spanish Oncology Society (SEOM) conducted the Quasar_SEOM study to investigate the current impact of the Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (ACS). The study employed questionnaires and the Delphi method to gather input from both cancer patients and oncologists on key issues related to early detection and treatment of ACS. A total of 134 patients and 34 medical oncologists were surveyed about their experiences with ACS. The Delphi methodology was used to evaluate oncologists' perspectives of ACS management, ultimately leading to a consensus on the most critical issues. RESULTS: Despite widespread acknowledgement of malnutrition in cancer as a significant issue by 94% of oncologists, the study revealed deficiencies in knowledge and protocol implementation. A mere 65% of physicians reported being trained to identify and treat these patients, with 53% failing to address ACS in a timely manner, 30% not monitoring weight, and 59% not adhering to any clinical guidelines. The lack of experience was identified as the primary hindrance to the use of orexigens in 18% of cases. Furthermore, patients reported concerns and a perception of inadequate attention to malnutrition-related issues from their physicians. CONCLUSION: The results of this study point to a gap in the care of this syndrome and a need to improve education and follow-up of cancer patients with anorexia-cachexia.

The Challenge of Managing Bladder Cancer and Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Review with Treatment Recommendations from the Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group (SOGUG).

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the ninth most common in women in the Western world. The management of bladder carcinoma requires a multidisciplinary approach. Optimal treatment depends on several factors, including histology, stage, patient status, and possible comorbidities. Here we review recent findings on the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma, advanced urothelial carcinoma, upper tract urothelial carcinoma, non-urothelial carcinoma, and urologic complications arising from the disease or treatment. In addition, we present the recommendations of the Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group for the treatment of these diseases, based on a focused analysis of clinical management and the potential of current research, including recent findings on the potential benefit of immunotherapy. In recent years, whole-genome approaches have provided new predictive biomarkers and promising molecular targets that could lead to precision medicine in bladder cancer. Moreover, the involvement of other specialists in addition to urologists will ensure not only appropriate therapeutic decisions but also adequate follow-up for response evaluation and management of complications. It is crucial, however, to apply recent molecular findings and implement clinical guidelines as soon as possible in order to maximize therapeutic gains and improve patient prognosis.

[Acute pancreatitis and space-occupying hepatic lesions in a patient with bone marrow transplant due to multiple myeloma]. / Pancreatitis aguda y lesiones ocupantes de espacio hepáticas en paciente trasplantado de médula ósea por mieloma múltiple.

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) do not have a higher incidence of acute pancreatitis or pancreatitis of other etiologies than the general population. However, these patients may develop acute pancreatitis, or hyperamylasemia or isolated hyperlipasemia, due to etiologies that are highly infrequent in the absence of hematological disease. Liver involvement is found in 30-50% of patients with MM and mainly manifests as diffuse sinusoidal infiltration and less frequently in the form of nodules. We report the case of a patient who underwent bone marrow transplantation due to MM who showed clinical and laboratory findings compatible with acute pancreatitis of unknown origin, during which the presence of multiple space-occupying hepatic lesions was identified. Based on the results of biopsy, a diagnosis of extramedullary recurrence of MM was established.