Implementation of a sentinel lymph node mapping algorithm for endometrial cancer: surgical outcomes and hospital charges.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare operative times, surgical outcomes, resource utilization, and hospital charges before and after the implementation of a sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping algorithm in endometrial cancer. METHODS: All patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer were identified pre- (2012) and post- (2017) implementation of the SLN algorithm. Clinical data were summarized and compared between groups. Total hospital charges incurred on the day of surgery were extracted from the hospital financial system for each patient and all charges were adjusted to 2017 US dollars. RESULTS: A total of 203 patients were included: 71 patients in 2012 and 130 patients in 2017. There was no difference in median age, body mass index, or stage. In 2012, 35/71 patients (49.3%) underwent a lymphadenectomy. In 2017, SLN mapping was attempted in 120/130 patients (92.3%) and at least one SLN was identified in 110/120 (91.7%). Median estimated blood loss was similar between groups (100 mL vs 75 mL, p=0.081). There was a significant decrease in both median operative time (210 vs 171 min, p=0.007) and utilization of intraoperative frozen section (63.4% vs 14.6%, p<0.0001). No significant differences were noted in intraoperative (p=1.00) or 30 day postoperative complication rates (p=0.30). The median total hospital charges decreased by 2.73% in 2017 as compared with 2012 (p=0.96). DISCUSSION: Implementation of an SLN mapping algorithm for high- and low-risk endometrial cancer resulted in a decrease in both operative time and intraoperative frozen section utilization with no change in surgical morbidity. While hospital charges did not significantly change, further studies are warranted to assess the true cost of SLN mapping.

Testing the feasibility of using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) to assess caregiver symptom burden.

OBJECTIVE: Caregiver symptom assessment is not part of regular clinical cancer care. The ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System) is a multidimensional tool regularly used to measure symptom burden in patients but not caregivers. The objectives of the present study were to determine the feasibility of the ESAS in caregiver completion (defined as ≥ 9 of 12 items) and determine its concurrent validity with the Zarit Burden Interview-12 (ZBI-12). METHOD: We conducted a prospective study on 90 patient-primary caregiver dyads seen in an outpatient supportive care center in a cancer center. The 12 item ESAS-FS (financial-spiritual) was completed by the dyads along with other clinical and psychosocial measures. RESULTS: The caregiver ESAS was found to be feasible (90/90 caregivers, 100% completed ≥ 9/12 items) and useful (66/90 caregivers, 73%) by caregivers to report their symptom burden. Some 68 of 90 (76%) caregivers had symptom distress scores ≥ 4 on at least one symptom. A significant association was found between the ESAS scores of caregivers and patients for fatigue (0.03), depression (<0.01), anxiety (<0.01), sleep (0.05), well-being (<0.01), financial distress (<0.01), spiritual pain (<0.01), and total ESAS score (<0.01). Concurrent validity with the ZBI-12 was not achieved (r = 0.53, p = 0.74). A significant correlation was found between caregiver ESAS scores and time spent feeding, housekeeping, total combined caregiver activities, and total ZBI-12 scores. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The caregiver ESAS is a feasible tool and was found useful by our caregivers. Further research is needed to modify the ESAS based on caregivers' recommendations, and further psychometric studies need to be conducted.

Factors influencing fertility-sparing treatment for gynecologic malignancies: A survey of Society of Gynecologic Oncology members.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine practice patterns of gynecologic oncologists (GO) regarding fertility-sparing treatments (FST) for gynecology malignancies and explores attitudes toward collaboration with reproductive endocrinologists (RE). METHODS: An anonymous 23-question survey was sent to 1087 GO with a 14.0% completion rate. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of GOs offer FST for gynecologic malignancies. Providers seeing larger numbers of reproductive age women were more likely to consider cancer prognosis (p<0.03) and cancer stage (p<0.01) as key factors. Providers in the Midwestern US considered socioeconomic status more often when offering FST than those in the South (p<0.04). Those practicing in urban settings were more likely to feel that collaborating with a RE prior to treatment could improve treatment planning for women considering FST (p<0.02). Finally, providers in urban or suburban areas more often felt collaboration with a RE improves pregnancy outcomes in women who pursue FST (p<0.01, p<0.02) compared to rural practitioners. CONCLUSIONS: While FST offers women the chance to pursue pregnancy after cancer, there are minimal data on factors that influence whether FST is offered and if collaboration with a RE is sought in the management of these patients. The number of reproductive age women seen, geographic location, and practice setting are important variables that may influence current practice. Understanding these factors can help identify opportunities to improve oncologic and reproductive outcomes of this patient population.

Patient-reported sleep disturbance in advanced cancer: frequency, predictors and screening performance of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System sleep item.

AIMS: Sleep Disturbance (SD) is a severe debilitating symptom in advanced cancer patients (ACP). However, routine screening of SD is uncommon. The primary aim of this study was to determine the optimal cutoff score for SD screening for Edmonton Symptom Assessment system (ESAS) sleep item using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as a gold standard. We also determined the frequency of SD, obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (OSA) and restless leg syndrome (RLS) and factors associated with SD. METHODS: We prospectively surveyed 180 consecutive ACP. Patients completed validated assessment for symptoms. We determined epidemiological performance, receiver operating characteristics, and correlations of SD. RESULTS: SD according to PSQI was diagnosed in 112/180 (62%), and median (IQR) ESAS sleep was 5 (2-7). ESAS sleep ≥ 4 had a sensitivity of 74% and 80%, and specificity of 71% and 64% in the training and validation samples, respectively for screening of SD. The frequency of OSA was 61%; RLS was 38%. ESAS sleep was associated [r, p-value] with PSQI (0.61, <0.0001), pain (0.4, <0.0001); fatigue (0.35, <0.0001); depression (0.20, 0.006); anxiety (0.385, <0.0001); drowsiness (0.385, <0.0001), shortness of breath (0.24, <0.0014); anorexia (0.32, <0.0001), well-being (0.36, <0.0001). Multivariate analysis found well-being (OR per point 1.34, p=0.0003), pain (OR 1.21, p<0.0037), dyspnea (OR 1.16, p=0.027), and OSA (OR 0.31, P=0.003) as independent predictors of SD. There was no association between SD and survival. CONCLUSIONS: SD is frequent and ESAS SD item ≥ 4 has good sensitivity for SD screening.

Financial Distress and Its Associations With Physical and Emotional Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Advanced Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on the effects of financial distress (FD) on overall suffering and quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced cancer (AdCa). In this cross-sectional study, we examined the frequency of FD and its correlates in AdCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We interviewed 149 patients, 77 at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) and 72 at a general public hospital (GPH). AdCa completed a self-rated FD (subjective experience of distress attributed to financial problems) numeric rating scale (0 = best, 10 = worst) and validated questionnaires assessing symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]), psychosocial distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General [FACT-G]). RESULTS: The patients' median age was 60 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.6-61.5 years); 74 (50%) were female; 48 of 77 at CCC (62%) versus 13 of 72 at GPH (18%) were white; 21 of 77 (27%) versus 32 of 72 (38%) at CCC and GPH, respectively, were black; and 7 of 77 (9%) versus 27 of 72 (38%) at CCC and GPH, respectively, were Hispanic (p < .0001). FD was present in 65 of 75 at CCC (86%; 95% CI: 76%-93%) versus 65 of 72 at GPH (90%; 95% CI: 81%-96%; p = .45). The median intensity of FD at CCC and GPH was 4 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-7) versus 8 (IQR: 3-10), respectively (p = .0003). FD was reported as more severe than physical distress, distress about physical functioning, social/family distress, and emotional distress by 45 (30%), 46 (31%), 64 (43%), and 55 (37%) AdCa, respectively (all significantly worse for patients at GPH) (p < .05). AdCa reported that FD was affecting their general well-being (0 = not at all, 10 = very much) with a median score of 5 (IQR: 1-8). FD correlated (Spearman correlation) with FACT-G (r = -0.23, p = .0057); HADS-anxiety (r = .27, p = .0014), ESAS-anxiety (r = .2, p = .0151), and ESAS-depression (r = .18, p = .0336). CONCLUSION: FD was very frequent in both groups, but median intensity was double among GPH patients. More than 30% of AdCa rated FD to be more severe than physical, family, and emotional distress. More research is needed to better characterize FD and its correlates in AdCa and possible interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Financial distress is an important and common factor contributing to the suffering of advanced cancer patients and their caregivers. It should be suspected in patients with persistent, refractory symptom expression. Early identification, measurement, and documentation will allow clinical teams to develop interventions to improve financial distress and its impact on quality of life of advanced cancer patients.

Differences in Performance Status Assessment Among Palliative Care Specialists, Nurses, and Medical Oncologists.

CONTEXT: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) is one of the most commonly used assessments in oncology and palliative care (PC). However, the interobserver differences between medical oncologists and PC specialists have never been reported. OBJECTIVES: To determine the interobserver differences in ECOG PS assessment among PC specialists, PC nurses, and medical oncologists in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who had an outpatient PC consultation in 2013 and identified 278 eligible patients. We retrieved the ECOG PS scores and symptom burden assessed by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). RESULTS: PC specialists (median +0.5, P < 0.0001) and nurses (median +1.0, P < 0.0001) rated the ECOG PS significantly higher than medical oncologists. The weighted kappa values were 0.26 between PC specialists and medical oncologists and 0.61 between PC specialists and nurses. PC specialists' assessments correlated with ESAS fatigue, dyspnea, anorexia, feeling of well-being, and symptom distress score. The ECOG PS assessments by all three groups were significantly associated with survival (P < 0.001). However, patients with ECOG PS 2 and 3-4 rated by their medical oncologists had similar survival (P = 0.67). Predictors of discordance in ECOG PS assessments between PC specialists and medical oncologists were the presence of a potentially effective treatment (odds ratio [OR] 2.39; 95% CI 1.09-5.23) and poor feeling of well-being (≥4) (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.34-4.21). CONCLUSION: ECOG PS assessments by PC specialists and nurses were significantly higher than those of medical oncologists. Systematic efforts to increase regular interdisciplinary communications may help to bridge this gap.

Changes in medication profile among patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit.

PURPOSE: The decision-making process for medication use in the last weeks of life is complex because of patient frailty and poor prognosis. Limited literature is available on medication use in the palliative care setting, particularly in acute palliative care units (APCUs). We examined the changes in medication profile among hospitalized patients with advanced cancer before their palliative care inpatient consultation team referral, after palliative care consultation, at the time of APCU admission, and at APCU discharge or death. METHODS: We included consecutive patients with advanced cancer who were first seen by our inpatient palliative care consultation team and subsequently admitted to the APCU. We retrieved data on all scheduled medications at the prespecified time points. RESULTS: Among the 100 patients, the median duration of hospitalization was 10.5 days (interquartile range 8-15 days), and the median APCU stay was 5 days (interquartile range 3-7 days). The average number of medications before palliative care inpatient consultation team referral, after palliative care consultation, at APCU admission and at APCU discharge/death was 9.2 (standard deviation [SD] 4.5), 9.9 (SD 4.2), 10.3 (SD 3.8), and 10.1 (SD 3.8), respectively (P = 0.03). An increasing proportion of patients received medications for symptom control over their course of hospitalization, including systemic corticosteroids, laxatives, neuroleptics, and antiulcer agents (P < 0.05). In contrast, the frequency of several classes of medications such as antihypertensives, antilipemics, and anticonvulsants decreased over time (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Palliative care involvement was associated with an increase in symptom control medications and decrease in medications for comorbid conditions over time.

Benefits, harms, and costs for breast cancer screening after US implementation of digital mammography.

BACKGROUND: Compared with film, digital mammography has superior sensitivity but lower specificity for women aged 40 to 49 years and women with dense breasts. Digital has replaced film in virtually all US facilities, but overall population health and cost from use of this technology are unclear. METHODS: Using five independent models, we compared digital screening strategies starting at age 40 or 50 years applied annually, biennially, or based on density with biennial film screening from ages 50 to 74 years and with no screening. Common data elements included cancer incidence and test performance, both modified by breast density. Lifetime outcomes included mortality, quality-adjusted life-years, and screening and treatment costs. RESULTS: For every 1000 women screened biennially from age 50 to 74 years, switching to digital from film yielded a median within-model improvement of 2 life-years, 0.27 additional deaths averted, 220 additional false-positive results, and $0.35 million more in costs. For an individual woman, this translates to a health gain of 0.73 days. Extending biennial digital screening to women ages 40 to 49 years was cost-effective, although results were sensitive to quality-of-life decrements related to screening and false positives. Targeting annual screening by density yielded similar outcomes to targeting by age. Annual screening approaches could increase costs to $5.26 million per 1000 women, in part because of higher numbers of screens and false positives, and were not efficient or cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: The transition to digital breast cancer screening in the United States increased total costs for small added health benefits. The value of digital mammography screening among women aged 40 to 49 years depends on women's preferences regarding false positives.

First Spanish version of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale: psychometric properties, responsiveness, and factor loadings.

CONTEXT: The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) is a reliable and validated instrument with which to assess delirium. However, MDAS responsiveness has only been investigated in an indirect way. Also, neurobehavioral and global cognitive factors seem to be the MDAS main factor loads. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate MDAS responsiveness and analyze individual factors on this scale. The secondary objective was to confirm concurrent validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the MDAS. METHODS: The translation-back translation method was used to obtain the Spanish version of the MDAS. Delirium diagnosis was determined by the clinical Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria and with the Confusion Assessment Method. Responsiveness and factor loadings were determined with the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the MDAS at baseline (0 hours) and at 72 hours. RESULTS: Variation in the scores of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 shows a correlation of r = 0.93, with variation in MDAS scores at P < 0.001. Variation in MMSE scores shows a correlation of r = -0.84, with variation in MDAS scores at P = 0.015. Factor I, neurobehavioral (reduced awareness, reduced attention, perceptual disturbance, delusions, altered psychomotor activity, and sleep-wake cycle disturbance), correlated moderately with the MMSE at -0.56. Factor II, global cognitive (disorientation, short-term memory impairment, impaired digit span, and disorganized thinking), correlated strongly with the MMSE at -0.81. Factor II was significantly more reliable than Factor I, rho = 0.7, P = 0.01. CONCLUSION: The high responsiveness confirms the value of the MDAS for ongoing delirium assessment. Two differentiated factor loadings point to a potential future need for MDAS subscales.

Validation of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in Korean patients with cancer.

CONTEXT: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a brief, widely adopted, multidimensional questionnaire to evaluate patient-reported symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To develop a Korean version of the ESAS (K-ESAS) and to perform a psychometric analysis in Korean patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: We tested the K-ESAS in two pilot studies with 15 patients each. We assessed internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity in 163 Korean patients, who completed the K-ESAS along with the Korean versions of the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (K-MDASI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (K-HADS) twice. A total of 38 patients completed the questionnaires again seven days later to assess responsiveness. RESULTS: The K-ESAS scores had good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.88, indicating that no questions had undue influence on the score. Pearson correlation coefficients for K-ESAS symptom scores between baseline and after two to four hours ranged from 0.72 (95% CI 0.64-0.79) to 0.87 (95% CI 0.82-0.90), indicating strong test-retest reliability. For concurrent validity, Pearson correlation coefficients between K-ESAS symptom scores and corresponding K-MDASI symptom scores ranged from 0.70 (95% CI 0.62-0.77) to 0.83 (95% CI 0.77-0.87), indicating good concurrent validity. For the K-HADS, concurrent validity was good for anxiety (r=0.73, 95% CI 0.65-0.79) but moderate for depression (r=0.4, 95% CI 0.26-0.52). For responsiveness, changes in K-ESAS scores after seven days were moderately correlated with changes in K-MDASI scores but weakly correlated with changes in K-HADS scores. CONCLUSION: The K-ESAS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring multidimensional symptoms in Korean patients with cancer.