Perceptions of Readiness for Practice After Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship: A Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical subspecialty training aims to meet the needs of practicing surgeons and their communities. This study investigates career preparedness of Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowship graduates, identifies factors associated with practice readiness, and explores potential opportunities to improve the current training model. METHODS: The Society of Surgical Oncology partnered with the National Cancer Institute to conduct a 36-question survey of CGSO fellowship graduates from 2012 to 2022. RESULTS: The overall survey response rate was 38% (221/582) with a slight male predominance (63%). Forty-six percent of respondents completed their fellowship after 2019. Factors influencing fellowship program selection include breadth of cancer case exposure (82%), mentor influence (66%), and research opportunities (38%). Overall, graduates reported preparedness for practice; however, some reported unpreparedness in research (18%) and in specific clinical areas: thoracic (43%), hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) (15%), and hepato-pancreato-biliary (15%) surgery. Regarding technical preparedness, 70% reported being "very prepared". Respondents indicated lack of preparedness in robotic (63%) and laparoscopic (33%) surgery approaches. Suggestions for training improvement included increased autonomy and case volumes, program development, and research infrastructure. Current practice patterns by graduates demonstrated discrepancies between ideal contracts and actual practice breakdowns, particularly related to the practice of general surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study of CGSO fellowship graduates demonstrates potential gaps between trainee expectations and the realities of surgical oncology practice. Although CGSO fellowship appears to prepare surgeons for careers in surgical oncology, there may be opportunities to refine the training model to better align with the needs of practicing surgical oncologists.

The impact of socioeconomic status on survival in stage III colon cancer patients: A retrospective cohort study using the SEER census-tract dataset.

BACKGROUND: The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) has been described for screening and accessing treatment for colon cancer. However, little is known about the "downstream" effect in patients who receive guideline-concordant treatment. This study assessed the impact of SES on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) for stage III colon cancer patients. METHODS: The SEER Census Tract-Level SES Dataset from 2004 to 2015 was used to identify stage III colon adenocarcinoma patients who received curative-intent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The predictor variable was census tract SES. SES was analyzed as quintiles. The outcome variables were OR and CSS. Statistical analysis included chi square tests for association, Kaplan-Meier, Cox, Fine and Gray regression for survival analysis. RESULTS: In total, 27,222 patients met inclusion criteria. Lower SES was associated with younger age, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, Medicaid/uninsured, higher T stage, and lower grade tumors. CSS at the 25th percentile was 54 months for the lowest SES quintile and 80 for the highest. Median OS was 113 months for the lowest SES quintile and not reached for highest. The 5-year CSS rate was 72.4% for the lowest SES quintile compared to 78.9% in the highest (p < 0.001). The 5-year OS rate was 66.5% for the lowest SES quintile and 74.6% in the highest (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate CSS and OS in an incidence-based cohort of stage III colon cancer patients using a granular, standardized measure of SES. Despite receipt of guideline-based treatment, SES was associated with disparities in CSS and OS.

Preoperative Radiographic Assessment Predicts Incomplete Cytoreduction in Patients with Low Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix.

BACKGROUND: Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) for patients with low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma (LGMA) is most effective when complete cytoreduction is achieved. We externally validated two radiographic scoring systems to predict resectability and assessed radiographic response to systemic chemotherapy (SCT). METHODS: Patients with LGMA who received preoperative SCT followed by CRS/HIPEC from 2013 to 2016 were identified. CT scans were graded by six physicians using the simplified radiologic score (SRS) and simplified preoperative assessment of appendiceal tumor (SPAAT) systems. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated by comparing to completeness of cytoreduction. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had preoperative SCT followed by CRS/HIPEC. Thirteen patients underwent incomplete CRS and 11 patients complete CRS. Scoring of the preoperative CT had a PPV of complete cytoreduction of 75% and 66.7% for SRS and SPAAT, respectively. NPV was 83.4% and 88.9% for SRS and SPAAT, respectively. ICC for the preoperative SRS and SPAAT score was 0.826 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.720-0.910] and 0.788 [0.667-0.888). Comparison of CT scans before and after SCT recorded an increase in calculated scores in 45.8% (SRS) and 50% (SPAAT) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: External validation of two radiographic scoring systems to predict complete cytoreduction showed that inter-rater agreement for both systems was good. Both scoring systems predicted incomplete cytoreduction. Applying a systematic approach to preoperative imaging review is recommended to improve treatment selection by minimizing morbidity associated with incomplete CRS and help to set patient expectations.

A Survey of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Programs Regarding Applicant Selection and Rank.

BACKGROUND: There is significant demand for training in Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowships. Previous work has explored objective quantitative metrics of applicants that matriculated to CGSO fellowships; however, ambiguity remains concerning academic benchmarks and qualitative factors that impact matriculation. STUDY DESIGN: A web-based survey was sent to each ACGME/SSO-approved CGSO fellowship training program. The survey was comprised of 24 questions in various forms, including dichotomous, ranked, and five-point Likert scale questions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 30 program directors (97%) submitted complete survey responses, representing 64 of the 65 CGSO fellowship positions (99%) currently offered. Programs received a mean of 73 applications per cycle (range 50-125) and granted a mean of 26 interviews (range 2-45). Seventy-two percent of programs had an established benchmark for ABSITE score percentile before offering a candidate an interview, with 62% of those programs setting that benchmark above the 50th percentile. The majority of programs also had established benchmarks for quantity of first author publications (mean: 2.3) and all publications of any authorship (mean: 4.4). An applicant's interview was ranked as the most important factor in determining inclusion on the program's rank list. The ability to work as part of a team, interpersonal interaction/communication abilities, and operative skills were rated as most important applicant characteristics, whereas an applicant's personal statement was ranked as least important. CONCLUSIONS: After established academic benchmarks have been met, a multitude of factors influences ranking of applicants to the CGSO fellowship, most of which are assessed at the interview.

Failure to operate on resectable gastric cancer: implications for policy changes and regionalization.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients never receive curative-intent surgery for resectable gastric cancer (GC). The primary aims of this study were to identify disparities and targetable risk factors associated with failure to operate in the context of national trends in surgical rates for resectable GC. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients with resectable GC (adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IA-IIIC, 2004-2013). Multivariate modeling was used to identify predictors of resection and to analyze the impact of surgery on overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of 46,970 patients with resectable GC, 18,085 (39%) did not receive an appropriate operation. Among unresected patients, 69% had no comorbidities. Failure to resect was associated with reduced median OS (44.4 versus 11.8 mo, hazard ratio [HR]: 2.09, P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the most critical factors affecting OS were resection (HR: 2.09) and stage (reference IA; HR range: 1.16-3.50, stage IB-IIIC). Variables independently associated with no surgery included insurance other than private or Medicare (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60/1.54), nonacademic/nonresearch hospital (OR: 1.16), non-Asian race (OR: 1.72), male (OR: 1.19), older age (OR: 1.04), Charlson-Deyo score >1 (OR: 1.17), residing in areas with median income <$48,000 (OR: 1.23), small urban populations <20,000 (OR: 1.41), and stage (reference IA; OR range: 1.36-3.79, stage IB-IIIC, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over one-third of patients with resectable GC fail to receive surgery. Suitable insurance coverage and treatment facility are the most salient (and only modifiable) risk factors for omitting surgery. To mitigate national disparities in surgical care, policymakers should consider improving insurance coverage in underserved areas and regionalization of gastric cancer care.

A Simplified Preoperative Assessment Predicts Complete Cytoreduction and Outcomes in Patients with Low-Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix.

BACKGROUND: Complete cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been shown to improve survival in patients with low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma (LGMA). However, incomplete cytoreduction exposes patients to significant morbidity without a similar survival benefit. Preoperative assessment of the ability to achieve CRS is therefore a critical step in selecting patients for CRS/HIPEC. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a preoperative scoring system to accurately predict the ability to achieve complete cytoreduction in patients with LGMA of the appendix. METHODS: A simplified preoperative assessment for appendix tumor (SPAAT) score was developed based on computed tomography scan findings thought to predict incomplete cytoreduction. We applied the SPAAT score to patients with LGMA to determine the ability of the score to predict complete cytoreduction. This scoring system was then applied to a separate cohort of patients from a different institution. Sensitivity and specificity were determined for the SPAAT score. Survival was calculated and correlated with the SPAAT score and the completeness of cytoreduction score. RESULTS: A SPAAT score of <3 is a significant predictor of complete cytoreduction in the derivation cohort. In the validation cohort, 40 of 42 patients with a SPAAT score <3 achieved a complete cytoreduction, for a positive predictive value of 95.2 % and a negative predictive value of 100 %. Additionally, the SPAAT score was a significant predictor of disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The SPAAT score is a useful tool in the preoperative assessment of patients with LGMA who are under consideration for cytoreductive surgery. Prospective analysis of this scoring system is warranted to appropriately select patients who will benefit from CRS/HIPEC.