Preoperative clinical pathway of breast cancer patients: determinants of compliance with EUSOMA quality indicators.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) has defined quality indicators for breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to describe the preoperative clinical pathway of breast cancer patients and evaluate the determinants of compliance with EUSOMA quality indicators in the Optisoins01 cohort. METHODS: Optisoins01 is a prospective, multicentric study. Data from operable BC patients were collected, including results from before surgery to 1 year follow-up. Seven preoperative EUSOMA quality indicators were compared with the clinical pathways Optisoins01. RESULTS: Six hundred and four patients were included. European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists targets were reached for indicator 1 (completeness of clinical and imaging diagnostic work-up), 3 (preoperative definitive diagnosis) and 5 (waiting time). For indicator 8 (multidisciplinary discussion), the minimum standard of 90% of the patients was reached only in general hospitals and comprehensive cancer centres. Having more than 1 medical examination within the centre was associated with an increased waiting time for surgery, whereas it was reduced by having an outpatient breast biopsy. The comprehensive cancer centre type was the only parameter associated with the other quality indicators. CONCLUSIONS: European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists quality indicators are a useful tool to evaluate care organisations. This study highlights the need for a standardised and coordinated preoperative clinical pathway.

[First outpatient satisfaction questionnaire with day-surgery in a French comprehensive cancer center]. / Première enquête de satisfaction dans une unité de chirurgie ambulatoire dédiée à la cancérologie.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the patient's satisfaction in a day-surgery unit in oncology for a surgical diagnosis or therapeutic act. METHODS: Between October 2013 and February 2014, we conducted a satisfaction survey from the validated questionnaire COPS-D. This questionnaire analyse the patient's stages in the care system, from the preoperative consultation to the return home: 9 stages with 23 items rated 1 (bad) to 5 (excellent). It was sent by postmail 3 weeks after their hospitalization. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-seven questionnaires were mailed, with a response's rate to 38% (172/467). Participant's characteristics: 88% are women, 45% are full time workers, 54% of senology. Two-third of the assessments were rated 4 or 5. Five percent were rated 1 or 2. The patient's exit is the least preferred step. The operating room's assessment is the most preferred by patients. Sixty-one percent of participants have written a free comment, 31% are positives, 36% are negatives, and 32% are mixed. The wait was the negative recurrent comment (21%). DISCUSSION: Most participants are very satisfied. Improving the wait before the operation and output is already underway. Studies are now needed to assess the care's safety and the economic aspect of day-surgery.

The patient-breast cancer care pathway: how could it be optimized?

BACKGROUND: A care pathway is defined as patient-focused global care that addresses temporal (effective and coordinated management throughout the illness) and spatial issues (treatment is provided near the health territory in or around the patient's home). Heterogeneity of the care pathways in breast cancer (BC) is presumed but not well evaluated. The OPTISOINS01 study aims to assess every aspect of the care pathway for early BC patients using a temporal and spatial scope. METHODS/DESIGN: An observational, prospective, multicenter study in a regional health territory (Ile-de-France, France) in different types of structures: university or local hospitals and comprehensive cancer centers. We will include and follow during 1 year 1,000 patients. The study consists of 3 work-packages: - Cost of pathway The aim of this WP is to calculate the overall costs of the early BC pathway at 1 year from different perspectives (society, health insurance and patient) using a cost-of-illness analysis. Using a bottom-up method, we will assess direct costs, including medical direct costs and nonmedical direct costs (transportation, home modifications, home care services, and social services), and indirect costs (loss of production). - Patient satisfaction and work reintegration Three questionnaires will assess the patients' satisfaction and possible return to work: the occupational questionnaire for employed women; the questionnaire on the need for supportive care, SCNS-SF34 ('breast cancer' module, SCNS-BR8); and the OUTPASSAT-35 questionnaire. - Quality, coordination and access to innovation Quality will be evaluated based on visits and treatment within a set period, whether the setting offers a multidisciplinary consultative framework, the management by nurse coordinators, the use of a personalized care plan, the provision of information via documents about treatments and the provision of supportive care. The coordination between structures and caregivers will be evaluated at several levels. Day surgery, home hospitalization and one-stop breast clinic visits will be recorded to assess the patient's access to innovation. DISCUSSION: The assessment of care pathways encourages the implementation of new payment models. Our approach could help health care professionals and policymakers to establish other cost-of-illness studies and plan the allocation of resources on a patient basis rather than a visit basis.

Pathologic response to short intensified taxane-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with highly proliferative operable breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer treatment relies on 3 major phenotypical subtypes, including the triple-negative (TN), HER2-positive, and hormone receptor-positive (estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor) ones. We retrospectively determined the clinical and pathologic response rates to intensified taxane-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to these phenotypical classes in a series of patients with highly proliferative operable breast cancer, and examined the patterns of recurrence. METHODS: Patients with early breast cancer with highly proliferative (S-phase fraction >4%) operable tumors of >3 cm received 4 cycles of intensified neoadjuvant chemotherapy with high-dose cyclophosphamide (doxorubicin 70 mg/m d1, cyclophosphamide 700 mg/m d1/d8, and 5 FU 700 mg/m d1-d5) every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included in the analysis. Patients with TN phenotype experienced a high pathologic complete response (pCR) rate to intensified chemotherapy in comparison with patients with HER2-positive and estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor tumors (47%, 0%, and 12%, respectively). Forty percent of patients with TN breast cancer recurred after a median follow-up of nearly 11 years, but only 22% of those achieving a pCR. CONCLUSIONS: A high pCR rate to short intensified neoadjuvant chemotherapy with high-dose cyclophosphamide was achieved in patients with operable highly proliferative TN breast cancer, and pCR was associated with a low rate of recurrence.

Differences in management and results in term-delivery in nine European referral hospitals: descriptive study.

OBJECTIVE: To compose obstetric interventions around Europe. STUDY DESIGN: A survey of obstetric practices, logistics and statistical outcomes in nine tertiary referral hospitals in Europe between November 1999 and October 2000. RESULTS: There was wide variation in the management of pre labour rupture of the membranes at term, methods of analgesia, induction of labour, and mode of cephalic and breech delivery. Midwives practised normal deliveries at only three sites. Rates of epidural analgesia varied from 0% in Perugia to 98% in Barcelona, instrumental delivery from 3% in Perugia to 40% in Barcelona, episiotomy from 9.7% in Uppsala to 58% in Perugia, caesarean section before and during labour from 12% in Paris to 32% in Athens, vaginal breech delivery from 15% in Barcelona to 70% in Paris. The percentage of primipara varied from 40% in Uppsala to 65% in Perugia; birth weight under 2500g from 5% in Uppsala to 23% in Amsterdam, over 4000g from 3.1% in Athens to 22% in Uppsala and gestational age less than 37 weeks from 6% in Dublin to 26% in Amsterdam. CONCLUSION: There are considerable differences in obstetric practices without any major difference in maternal and perinatal mortality.