Evolving Landscape of Ethics in Oncology: A Journey Through the Past, Present, and Future.

Providing a brief overview of past, present, and future ethics issues in oncology, this article begins with historical contexts, including the paternalistic approach to cancer care. It delves into present-day challenges such as navigating cancer treatment during pregnancy and addressing health care disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. It also explores the ethical implications of emerging technologies, notably artificial intelligence and Big Data, in clinical decision making and medical education.

Feasibility and Implementation of a Multimodal Supportive Care Program to Improve Outcomes in Older Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Increasingly, patients age ≥65 years are undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Although age alone is a well-documented predictor of overall survival (OS) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM), growing evidence suggests that poor functional status and frailty associated with aging may have roles as well. Our goal in the present study was to identify and improve these and other aging-related maladies by developing a multimodal supportive care program for older allo-SCT recipients. We designed and implemented a multimodal supportive care program, Enhanced Recovery in Stem Cell Transplant (ER-SCT), for patients age ≥65 years undergoing allo-SCT. The ER-SCT program consists of evaluation and critical interventions by key health care providers from multiple disciplines starting before hospital admission for transplantation and extending through 100 days post-allo-SCT. We determined the feasibility of implementing this program in a large stem cell transplantation center. After 1 year of ongoing process improvements, multiple evaluations, and enrollment, we found that a dedicated weekly clinic was necessary to coordinate care and evaluate patients early. We successfully enrolled 57 of 64 eligible patients (89%) in the first year. Our data show that a multimodal supportive care program to enhance recovery for older patients undergoing allo-SCT is feasible. © 2021 American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The Role of Oncology Nurses as Ethicists: Training, Opportunities, and Implications for Practice.

Ethical challenges are inherent in oncology clinical practice. Ranging from transitions in care to code status and treatment decisions, these ethical challenges can have an acute effect on nurses, with well-established connections to moral distress and other psycho-emotional sequelae. The availability of a nurse ethicist can provide invaluable resources to support nurses in awareness of ethical challenges and support for ethical decision making in practice.

Burnout, Moral Distress, Work-Life Balance, and Career Satisfaction among Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Professionals.

A projected shortage of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) health professionals was identified as a major issue during the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match System Capacity Initiative. Work-related distress and work-life balance were noted to be potential barriers to recruitment/retention. This study examined these barriers and their association with career satisfaction across HCT disciplines. A cross-sectional, 90-item, web-based survey was administered to advanced practice providers, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and social workers in 2015. Participants were recruited from membership lists of 6 professional groups. Burnout (measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory subscales of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization) and moral distress (measured by Moral Distress Scale-Revised) were examined to identify work-related distress. Additional questions addressed demographics, work-life balance, and career satisfaction. Of 5759 HCT providers who received an individualized invitation to participate, 914 (16%) responded; 627 additional participants responded to an open link survey. Significant differences in demographic and practice characteristics existed across disciplines (P < .05). The prevalence of burnout differed across disciplines (P < .05) with an overall prevalence of 40%. Over one-half of pharmacists had burnout, whereas social workers had the lowest prevalence at less than one-third. Moral distress scores ranged from 0 to 336 and varied by discipline (P < .05); pharmacists had the highest mean score (62.9 ± 34.8) and social workers the lowest (42.7 ± 24.4). In multivariate and univariate analyses, variables contributing to burnout varied by discipline; however, moral distress was a significant contributing factor for all providers. Those with burnout were more likely to report inadequate work-life balance and a low level of career satisfaction; however, overall there was a high level of career satisfaction across disciplines. Burnout, moral distress, and inadequate work-life balance existed at a variable rate in all HCT disciplines, yet career satisfaction was high. These results suggest specific areas to address in the work environment for HCT health professionals, especially the need for relief of moral distress and a greater degree of personal time. As the creation of healthy work environments is increasingly emphasized to improve quality care and decrease costs, these findings should be used by HCT leadership to develop interventions that mitigate work-related distress and in turn foster recruitment and retention of HCT providers.

Nursing challenges caring for bone marrow transplantation patients with graft versus host disease.

Nursing care of blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) patients is complicated. Nursing considerations of BMT patients with GVHD require an additional set of skills and knowledge that include side effects, both expected and less common, assessment skills, treatment administration, both standard and novel, and acute or intensive care. Nursing care of BMT patients with skin GVHD will be determined by the degree of skin alteration with distinct decisions made about hygiene, both topical and systemic treatment, infection prevention, relief of discomfort, functional ability (ADL) and body image alteration. The nurse needs to have knowledge about assessment criteria for acute and chronic (NIH) assessment with special attention to skin (presence of rash, texture, mobility), joint mobility, mouth care, dressings, and skin care products. Nursing consideration of gastrointestinal GVHD includes importance of accurate intake and output, obtaining culture, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, nutrition, treatment, and skin care. Complication of GVHD treatment, namely effects of steroids require experts from many disciplines to provide comprehensive care. Caring and advocating for GVHD patients may include preparing for outcomes that are undesirable and impact the patient's quality of life and mortality. BMT survivorship programs are a major source of patient education about chronic GVHD for patients after treatment. Caring for BMT patients, especially those experiencing GVHD, takes a knowledgeable, committed, and caring team of healthcare providers. Workshops like this are vital in providing information and networking to keep providers around the region and globe engaged in this critical work.

Impact of an incentive-based mobility program, "Motivated and Moving," on physiologic and quality of life outcomes in a stem cell transplant population.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that patients experience increased fatigue, reduced physical activity, and diminished quality of life (QOL) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Structured exercise during hospitalization has been shown to maintain or improve fatigue. Incentive-based interventions have not been tested to encourage physical activity maintenance. OBJECTIVES: The study's aim was to evaluate the effect of participation in an incentive-based mobility program on fatigue, physical conditioning, performance status, and QOL in individuals undergoing allogeneic HSCT. We hypothesized that program participation would affect these variables and that time spent engaged in physical activity would correlate with improved outcomes. METHODS: A 1-group repeated-measures design used the Brief Fatigue Inventory, 6-minute walk test, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant Scale to assess study variables. Repeated-measures models assessed the effect of participation time on these variables. RESULTS: Individuals with higher participation (minutes) significantly increased 6-minute walk test scores throughout hospitalization but had no significant changes in Brief Fatigue Inventory and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant Scale scores. Fatigue and QOL decreased over hospitalization but improved by discharge. Subjects who demonstrated higher participation averaged fewer hospital days (R = 1.65; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study is unique in examining the impact of an incentive-based mobility program, participation in which may decrease length of hospital stay for HSCT patients. Randomized trials are needed to further validate these findings and assess additional variables that can influence outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: An incentive-based mobility program during hospitalization for HSCT has the potential to minimize fatigue and stabilize, if not improve, QOL.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation in 2020: summary of year 2 recommendations of the National Marrow Donor Program's System Capacity Initiative.

The National Marrow Donor Program, in partnership with the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, sponsored and organized a series of symposia to identify complex issues affecting the delivery of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and to collaboratively develop options for solutions. "Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in 2020: A System Capacity Initiative" used a deliberative process model to engage professional organizations, experts, transplant centers, and stakeholders in a national collaborative effort. Year 2 efforts emphasized data analysis and identification of innovative ideas to increase HCT system efficiency, address future capacity requirements, and ensure adequate reimbursement for HCT programs to meet the projected need for HCT. This report highlights the deliberations and recommendations of Year 2 and the associated symposium held in September 2011.

Guided self-help for prevention of depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer.

Depression and anxiety are prevalent in women with breast cancer. We developed a self-help kit as a self-learning package of necessary preparatory information (basic knowledge on chemotherapy, side effects, and problem-solving skills). We provided an oncology nurse-guided self-help kit with a cognitive behavioral therapy approach to 46 women with breast cancer in the intervention group and usual care to 36 in the control group in outpatient chemotherapy settings. The oncology nurse monitored and facilitated the patient's progress using the diary during the patient's chemotherapy. We also provided professional-led support group programs. Depression, anxiety, and quality of life were measured at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months. The chi-square test and t were used to examine differences between the two groups, and repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test the effects of the intervention on the measures over time. All depression and anxiety scores were improved in both the intervention and control groups, but there were no significant differences between the two groups. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of an oncology nurse-guided self-help approach for cancer patients.

Symptoms and quality of life in diverse patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONTEXT: Symptoms and quality of life (QOL) are critically important in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, few studies have examined these factors by transplant type among diverse cultures. OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare QOL and symptom severity and prevalence by transplant type in a diverse population having HSCT. METHODS: The M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Blood and Marrow Transplantation (MDASI-BMT) module measured symptom severity and its impact. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT) measured QOL. RESULTS: Symptom data were collected from 164 patients at eight points (pretransplant to 100 days post-transplant) and QOL data at four times. Over time, symptom severity was significantly correlated with QOL and patients who had allogeneic transplants with myeloablative regimens showed more severe sleep disturbance and poorer QOL than patients having autologous transplants. Male patients reported less fatigue than female patients. However, ethnicity was not significant. Patients whose functional status was good had fewer of the five worst symptoms and higher QOL than patients with a poor functional status. Patients with acute graft-versus-host disease had more severe symptoms than those who did not. CONCLUSION: Type of transplant and preparative regimen are the most important aspects to consider when managing symptoms and QOL. This information is important for providing anticipatory guidance and support needed during the transplantation experience, to explore in future research the mechanisms involved in symptoms after HSCT, and to develop additional effective interventions.

The National Marrow Donor Program's Symposium on Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in 2020: a health care resource and infrastructure assessment.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the only known curative therapy for many patients with life-threatening hematologic and oncologic diseases. It is estimated that the National Marrow Donor Program(®) (NMDP) will facilitate 10,000 transplants by 2015, double the current number. To better understand the existing personnel and center infrastructure for HCT in the country and to address system capacity challenges to the future growth of HCT, the NMDP convened a diverse group of stakeholders and thought leaders representing HCT physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, other healthcare providers, HCT program directors, hospital administrators, payors, and professional organizations. Working groups were formed to identify: capacity issues because of shortages in human resources, structural constraints, and patient access barriers including diversity and healthcare disparity challenges; recommendations to address challenges; and stakeholders to engage. This report details the deliberations and recommendations of a national symposium, "Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in 2020: A Health Care Resource and Infrastructure Assessment," held in September 2010.

Information sharing and case conference among the multidisciplinary team improve patients' perceptions of care.

BACKGROUND: As the advent of genomic technology accelerates personalized medicine and complex care, multidisciplinary care is essential for management of breast cancer. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether healthcare delivery systems are related to patients' perceptions of care in breast cancer treatment institutions. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide study of breast cancer treatment institutions approved by the Japanese Breast Cancer Society in Japan. From 128 of the 457 institutions, 1,206 patients were included in the analysis. Each patient completed a questionnaire regarding perceptions of care that consisted of a multidisciplinary care subscale and a patient-centered care subscale. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed that the multidisciplinary care subscale was significantly related to implementation of patient-based medical record system that was paper-based (p<0.05). The results of the secondary analysis showed a significant relationship between the interdepartmental medical record system and the patient's perception of multidisciplinary care (p<0.05) and patient-centered care (p<0.05). When a multidisciplinary case conference took place regularly or multidisciplinary viewpoints were incorporated into the conference records, the conference had a significantly higher correlation with both subscales (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Integrated patient-based information and regular multidisciplinary case conferences that include records of viewpoints from different professionals improve patients' perceptions of comprehensive breast cancer care.

Hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants is the complex result of BK virus infection, preparative regimen intensity and donor type.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common cause of morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, frequently associated with BK virus infection. We hypothesized that patients with positive BK viruria before unrelated or mismatched related donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have a higher incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis. DESIGN AND METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we prospectively studied 209 patients (median age 49 years, range 19-71) with hematologic malignancies who received bone marrow (n=78), peripheral blood (n=108) or umbilical cord blood (n=23) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after myeloablative (n=110) or reduced intensity conditioning (n=99). Donors were unrelated (n=201) or haploidentical related (n=8). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients developed hemorrhagic cystitis. Pre-transplant BK viruria detected by quantitative PCR was positive in 96 patients. The one-year cumulative incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis was 16% in the PCR-positive group versus 9% in the PCR-negative group (P=0.1). The use of umbilical cord blood or a haploidentical donor was the only significant predictor of the incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis on univariate analysis. There was also a trend for a higher incidence after myeloablative conditioning. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who had a positive PCR pre-transplant and received haploidentical or cord blood grafts with myeloablative conditioning had a significantly higher risk of developing hemorrhagic cystitis (58%) than all other recipients (7%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhagic cystitis is the result of a complex interaction of donor type, preparative regimen intensity, and BK viruria.

Detection and control of a nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus outbreak in a stem cell transplantation unit: the role of palivizumab.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common community-acquired virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children, hematologic malignancy patients, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Nosocomial transmission of RSV in immunocompromised patients can significantly affect morbidity, mortality, and duration of hospitalization. Stringent infection control measurements are needed to control further hospital transmission. Prophylactic palivizumab was found to result in a significant reduction in hospitalization rates in high-risk children. In this article, we report a nosocomial outbreak of RSV in an adult HSCT unit (4 pods) from January 16 to February 4, 2004, including the infection control interventions used and the prophylactic administration of palivizumab in high-risk patients. Active surveillance identified 5 cases, a substantial increase from previous seasons (2 or 3 cases per season). All infected patients were isolated to 1 nursing pod and placed on contact isolation. All patients on the HSCT unit underwent rapid RSV antigen screening using nasal washes; this was repeated 1 week later, and 1 additional RSV case was identified. Patients identified to be at increased risk for RSV infection received prophylactic palivizumab. Routine screenings of the staff and visitors were undertaken. All patient and visitor areas were thoroughly cleaned with bleach. We educated health care workers about RSV transmission, highlighting proper hand hygiene and contact precautions. Four of 6 patients with RSV infection developed RSV pneumonia, and 2 of these patients died. Staff and visitors with upper respiratory symptoms were screened, and all were negative for RSV. Prophylactic palivizumab was administered in 16 patients who tested negative for RSV, but were considered to be at increased risk for RSV infection. None of these patients developed RSV infections. An RSV outbreak was controlled using prompt preventive measures, including cohorting patients, with a dedicated health care staff; contact isolation of patients; strict adherence to hand hygiene; and screening of visitors, family members, and health care staff for upper respiratory infection symptoms. Immunoprophylaxis with palivizumab, administered to high-risk patients, complemented strict infection control intervention. Thus, the role of palivizumab in the control of RSV hospital outbreaks merits further investigation.

Receiving information on fertility- and menopause-related treatment effects among women who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: changes in perceived importance over time.

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is associated with high rates of gonadal failure, which is distressing for younger patients desiring to start a family. The perceived importance and optimal timing of discussing fertility- and menopause-related information with women undergoing aggressive treatment such as HSCT is not well defined. Questionnaires were sent to 532 patients who underwent HSCT between January 1987 and September 2004 at the ages of 16 to 50 years. The questionnaire assessed demographic data, the need for fertility- and menopause-related information at various times during treatment, and standardized measures of anxiety, quality of life, and menopausal symptoms. The return rate was 40.2%, with 196 patients participating. Of these, 38% reported that they had discussed fertility-related issues with health-care providers since their diagnosis; 54% had discussed menopause-related issues. At the time of diagnosis, participants considered receiving information on fertility and menopause as being of equal importance. However, after HSCT, information about menopause was considered more important than information on fertility (P < or = .0001). Being <40 years, being childless, desiring to bear children in the future, and having a high score on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) correlated with higher ratings of importance for both fertility- and menopause-related information. Our results suggested that healthcare providers should provide information on fertility and menopause repeatedly throughout the treatment period, and that menopause-related information should be reemphasized after HSCT. Such counseling is crucial for patients who are young and childless.

Hyperacute GVHD: risk factors, outcomes, and clinical implications.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major limiting factor in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and the timing of acute GVHD may affect patient outcomes. We evaluated the incidence, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of hyperacute GVHD, defined as that occurring within 14 days after transplantation, among 809 consecutive HSCTs at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Of 265 patients with grade II-IV acute GVHD, 27% had biopsy-proven hyperacute GVHD. Skin involvement was significantly more common (88% versus 44%) and more severe (stage III-IV, 88% versus 66%) in the hyperacute group compared with acute GVHD diagnosed after day 14. On multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for hyperacute GVHD included a mismatched related or matched unrelated donor, a myeloablative conditioning regimen, more than 5 prior chemotherapy regimens, and donor-recipient sex mismatch. Hyperacute GVHD was associated with a significantly lower response rate to first-line therapy and a higher rate of nonrelapse mortality in patients with a mismatched related or matched unrelated donor graft. In conclusion, hyperacute GVHD accounts for a substantial proportion of grade II-IV acute GVHD after HSCT. Patients at high risk or with a diagnosis of hyperacute GVHD should be included in clinical studies.

Ancillary therapy and supportive care of chronic graft-versus-host disease: national institutes of health consensus development project on criteria for clinical trials in chronic Graft-versus-host disease: V. Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group Report.

The Ancillary Therapy and Supportive Care Working Group had 3 goals: (1) to establish guidelines for ancillary therapy and supportive care in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), including treatment for symptoms and recommendations for patient education, preventive measures, and appropriate follow-up; (2) to provide guidelines for the prevention and management of infections and other common complications of treatment for chronic GVHD; and (3) to highlight the areas with the greatest need for clinical research. The definition of "ancillary therapy and supportive care" embraces the most frequent immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory interventions used with topical intent and any other interventions directed at organ-specific control of symptoms or complications resulting from GVHD and its therapy. Also included in the definition are educational, preventive, and psychosocial interventions with this same objective. Recommendations are organized according to the strength and quality of evidence supporting them and cover the most commonly involved organs, including the skin, mouth, female genital tract, eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs. Recommendations are provided for prevention of infections, osteoporosis, and steroid myopathy and management of neurocognitive and psychosocial adverse effects related to chronic GVHD. Optimal care of patients with chronic GVHD often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy for the treatment of steroid-resistant chronic GVHD.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major limitation of successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) has been tested extensively in small cohorts of patients with chronic GVHD. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 71 patients with severe chronic GVHD treated with ECP. Response rate was 61% (n = 43), and 14 patients had complete responses (CRs). The best responses were observed in skin, liver, oral mucosa, and eye. Factors affecting outcomes were assessed in the less heavily pretreated subgroup (n = 63). Thrombocytopenia was associated with a lower response rate (P = .04), and there was a trend toward a higher response rate in de novo chronic GVHD. At 6 months, a total of 27 (69%) of 39 patients who were alive continued to have a sustained response (CR 4 [10%] of 39, and partial response [PR] 23 [59%] of 39). The cumulative incidence of steroid discontinuation at 1 year was 22%. The overall survival since initiation of therapy was 53% at 1 year. Response to ECP and platelet count at initiation of therapy were the strongest predictors of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) on univariate analysis. Objective responses were observed in a substantial number of patients with both skin and visceral chronic GVHD failing corticosteroids and other immunosuppression.

Underreporting of minor transfusion reactions in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Minor adverse reactions following transfusion of blood components to cancer patients are not uncommon. Reporting these minor reactions to the transfusion service needs a careful evaluation. The objectives of this study were to closely monitor the transfusion reactions that occurred and had not been reported to the transfusion service and to evaluate the process by which the medical and nursing staff recognized and managed these reactions. METHODS: We prepared a questionnaire with the nursing staff of a selected inpatient unit that addressed important questions, such as signs and symptoms during the transfusion, premedications given, process for physician notification, recommended action, and blood component implicated. Charts of the patients were reviewed, and the process was monitored for a 6-month period. RESULTS: A total of 58 cases were completed and analyzed. Platelet concentrates were transfused in 43 cases (74.1%), packed red blood cells in 9 cases (15.6%), and fresh frozen plasma in 6 cases (10.3%). Minor adverse reactions that were documented included chills in 11 cases (19.0%), low-grade fever in 11 cases (19.0%), hives and itching in 24 cases (41.4%), nausea and vomiting in 1 case (1.7%), and headaches and nonspecific mild pains in 11 cases (19.0%). Transfusions had been resumed in 27 cases (46.6%) and stopped completely in 13 cases (22.4%). Twenty-seven of 58 (46.6%) were first-time events. CONCLUSION: We conclude that underreporting of minor transfusion reactions, such as a febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reaction and allergic reactions, exists. To ensure safety to our cancer patients who are transfusion-dependent, we suggest that careful evaluation of any suspected transfusion reaction event should be referred to the transfusion medicine physicians who will evaluate each case and discuss it with the attending physician. This process will prevent detrimental, acute transfusion reactions.