Informational Needs of Surgical Oncology Patients: A Cross-Sectional Patient Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Patients newly diagnosed with cancer often seek information prior to being seen by a specialist. Little is known about the type of information desired and the sources used. We asked how patients find information about their new cancer diagnoses to improve information provision. METHODS: An anonymous seven-question survey was provided to new patients in the surgical and medical oncology clinics at a comprehensive cancer center from February 2021 to June 2021. RESULTS: Of 503 consecutive patients, 405 (81%) returned surveys; 49% female, 57% aged 51-75 y, and 71% Caucasian. Many (74%) sought information before their visit. Most (57%) relied on prior medical providers and 77% reported them as a trusted source. Nearly 80% of patients used at least one nonvalidated resource; 21% friends and relatives, 20% nongovernment or hospital resources, and 12% social media. Importantly, 23% found conflicting information. Respondents desired information on cancer treatment (58%), alternative therapies (35%), and nutrition and supplements (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer trust information from medical providers but seek information from a variety of sources that can provide conflicting information. These data support encouraging patients to use validated sources, providing robust organization-based resources, and engaging patients on topics such as alternative therapies and nutrition.

A dedicated feeding tube clinic reduces emergency department utilization for gastrostomy tube complications.

INTRODUCTION: Enteral access is required for a variety of reasons from neuromuscular disorders to dysphagia. Gastrostomy tubes (GTs) can be placed endoscopically, surgically, or radiographically and complications include infection, bleeding, leakage and unintentional removal. Routine post-procedural follow-up is limited by inconsistent guidelines and management by different specialty teams. We established a dedicated GT clinic to provide continuity of care and prophylactic GT exchange. We hypothesized that patients followed in the GT clinic would have reduced Emergency Department (ED) utilization. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent GT placement from January 2010 to January 2020 was conducted. Baseline demographics, indications for GT placement, number and reason for ED visits and utilization of a multidisciplinary GT clinic were studied. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients were included. The most common indication for placement was dysphagia (88, 91%) and the most common primary diagnosis was head and neck malignancy (51, 51%). The GT clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic staffed by surgeons and residents, dieticians, and wound care specialists and cared for 16 patients in this study. Three patients (19%) in the GT clinic group required ED visits compared to 44 (54%) in the standard of care (SOC) group (p < 0.05). There was an average of 0.9 ED visits per patient (range 0-7) in the GT clinic group vs 1.6 ED visits per patient (range 0-20) in the SOC group (p = 0.34). Feeding tubes were prophylactically exchanged an average of 7 times per patient in the GT clinic group vs 3 times per patient in the SOC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to GT care limits ED visits for associated complications by more than 50%. Follow-up in a dedicated clinic with prophylactic tube exchange decreases ED visits and should be considered at facilities that care for patients with GTs.

Total Neoadjuvant Therapy in Rectal Cancer: Multi-center Comparison of Induction Chemotherapy and Long-Course Chemoradiation Versus Short-Course Radiation and Consolidative Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Total neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer may include induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation or short-course radiotherapy and consolidative chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with clinical stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer who received induction chemotherapy followed by long-course chemoradiation at the University of Colorado (2016-2020) or short-course radiotherapy followed by consolidative chemotherapy at Washington University (2017-2020) were assessed. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients received induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation and 83 received short-course radiotherapy and consolidative chemotherapy. Among patients with complete re-staging evaluation, clinical complete response rates were similar, 49% (18/37) and 53% (44/83), respectively (p = 0.659). In the induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation group, 80% (n = 67) underwent surgery and 28% (n = 19) achieved a pathologic complete response. In the short-course radiotherapy and consolidative chemotherapy group, 44 (53%) patients underwent surgery and 11% (n = 5) had a pathologic complete response. Overall, a complete response was observed in 43% (n = 36) of patients who received induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation compared to 53% (n = 44) who received short-course radiotherapy and consolidative chemotherapy (p = 0.189). Perioperative outcomes were similar in patients who received induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation compared to short-course radiotherapy and consolidative chemotherapy: intraoperative complications (2% vs 7%), complete mesorectal specimen (85% vs 84%), anastomotic leak (9% vs 7%), organ/space infection (9% vs 5%), readmission (19% vs 21%), and reoperation (8% vs 9%), respectively (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with clinical stage 2 or 3 rectal cancer, total neoadjuvant therapy with either induction chemotherapy and chemoradiation or short-course radiotherapy followed by consolidative chemotherapy were associated with similar perioperative morbidity and complete response rates.