Outcomes of Preoperative Medical Therapy for Thyroidectomy in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroidectomy provides definitive treatment for autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) often resulting in improved quality of life. Historically, patients with AITD undergoing thyroidectomy have increased rates of postoperative hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. We investigated the outcomes of preoperative medications in patients with AITD undergoing thyroidectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent thyroidectomy for AITD at a single institution from 2015 to 2021. Surgical outcomes and perioperative laboratory values were analyzed by type of AITD and type of preoperative medical treatment: none, saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI), corticosteroids, or both SSKI and corticosteroids. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients underwent thyroidectomy for AITD and were included in analysis: 50 received no preoperative medications, 40 received SSKI, 20 received corticosteroids, and 13 received both. Seventy-six patients had Graves' disease and 47 had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. There were no significant differences in blood loss, operative time, wound complications, hematoma, or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury for patients treated with preoperative corticosteroids compared to those who were not. Patients who received corticosteroids and patients with Graves' disease more commonly had at least one instance of hypocalcemia postoperatively (P < 0.01, P = 0.01), although only on postoperative day 1 was mean calcium < 8.5 mg/dL. There was no difference in rate of transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received corticosteroids preoperatively had no increased risk of complications. They did have mildly lower calcium levels in the early postoperative period, although no difference in hypoparathyroidism. Further exploration is warranted to investigate the impact of preoperative corticosteroids on operative difficulty, quality of life, and autoantibody clearance.

Palliative and Supportive Care Consultation for Patients With Malignant Gastrointestinal Obstruction is Associated With Broad Interdisciplinary Management.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess rates of palliative care (PC) involvement in the care of patients with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction (GIO) and its influence on interdisciplinary team involvement. BACKGROUND: Malignant GIO is an advanced oncologic diagnosis with associated poor prognosis. Data regarding PC and interdisciplinary team involvement in these patients is lacking. METHODS: We identified consecutive surgical consultations for GIO in cancer patients at a single institution from August 2017 to July 2019. Clinical characteristics were collected. Rates of PC consultation, ACP discussion, code status change to do not resuscitate, and interdisciplinary service consultation were evaluated. RESULTS: We identified 200 patients with consultations for GIO, of whom 114 (57%) had malignant GIO and were included in our study. Of these patients, 95 (83%) had stage IV disease; 68 (60%) had peritoneal metastasis, and 70 (61%) had other intra-abdominal recurrence or metastasis. PC consultation was obtained in 69 patients (61%). PC consultation was associated with higher rates of ACP discussion (64% vs 29%; P < 0.001), code status change to do not resuscitate (30% vs 2%; P < 0.001), nonsurgical procedure (46% vs 11%; P < 0.001), discharge to hospice (30% vs 7%; P < 0.001), and involvement of spiritual care (48% vs 22%; P = 0.01), social work (77% vs 42%, P < 0.001), psychology/psychiatry (42% vs 4%, P < 0.001), nutrition (86% vs 62%, P = 0.006), physical therapy (54% vs 31%, P = 0.02), and occupational therapy (42% vs 16%, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: PC consultation benefits patients with malignant GIO by facilitating comprehensive interdisciplinary care, ACP discussions, and transition to hospice care, where appropriate. Diagnosis of malignant GIO should be a trigger for PC consultation or, in facilities with limited PC resources, consideration of deliberately broad interdisciplinary consultation.

Communication Frameworks for Palliative Surgical Consultations: A Randomized Study of Advanced Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether patients with advanced cancer prefer surgeons to use the best case/worst case (BC/WC) communication framework over the traditional risk/benefit (R/B) framework in the context of palliative surgical scenarios. BACKGROUND: Identifying the patient's preferred communication frameworks may improve satisfaction and outcome measures during difficult clinical decision-making. METHODS: In a video-vignette-based randomized, double-blinded study from November 2020 to May 2021, patients with advanced cancer viewed 2 videos depicting a physician-patient encounter in a palliative surgical scenario, in which the surgeon uses either the BC/WC or the R/B framework to discuss treatment options. The primary outcome was the patients' preferred video surgeon. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five patients were approached to participate; 66 were randomized and 58 completed the study (mean age 55.8 ± 13.8 years, 60.3% males). 22 patients (37.9%, 95% CI: 25.4%-50.4%) preferred the surgeon using the BC/WC framework, 21 (36.2%, 95% CI: 23.8%-48.6%) preferred the surgeon using the R/B framework, and 15 (25.9%, 95% CI: 14.6%-37.2%) indicated no preference. High trust in the medical profession was inversely associated with a preference for the surgeon using BC/WC framework (odds ratio: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.98, P = 0.03). The BC/WC framework rated higher for perceived surgeon's listening (4.6 ± 0.7 vs 4.3±0.9, P = 0.03) and confidence in the surgeon's trustworthiness (4.3 ± 0.8 vs 4.0 ± 0.9, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeon use of the BC/WC communication framework was not universally preferred but was as acceptable to patients as the traditional R/B framework and rated higher in certain aspects of communication. A preference for a surgeon using BC/WC was associated with lower trust in the medical profession. Surgeons should consider the BC/WC framework to individualize their approach to challenging clinical discussions.

Cytoreduction and HIPEC for Gastric Carcinomatosis: Multi-institutional Analysis of Two Phase II Clinical Trials.

INTRODUCTION: There are no approved locoregional therapies for peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric adenocarcinoma (GA). Cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) represents a potential treatment for advanced GA with isolated peritoneal metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two separate single-institution phase II, single-arm studies evaluating CRS-HIPEC using cisplatin with mitomycin C (NIH: NCT03092518, MDACC: NCT02891447) in patients with GA and confirmed peritoneal metastasis were analyzed. The primary endpoint of each trial was overall survival (OS). Clinical, pathologic, and treatment variables were analyzed for association with outcomes. RESULTS: Over 4 years, 41 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from GA underwent CRS-HIPEC. All patients had synchronous peritoneal metastasis and received systemic chemotherapy as front-line therapy. A total of 23 patients also received laparoscopic HIPEC prior to open CRS-HIPEC. The majority (63%, n = 26) were male, and median PCI score at CRS-HIPEC was 2. Median OS was 24.9 months from diagnosis and 14.4 months from CRS-HIPEC. Three-year OS was 25% from diagnosis and 22% from CRS-HIPEC. Median RFS was 7.4 months. The rate of 30-day Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications was 32%; specifically, the rate of anastomotic leak was 22%. Multivariable analysis identified the number of pathologically positive lymph nodes as an independent predictor of postoperative OS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and isolated peritoneal metastasis treated with CRS-HIPEC, 3-year OS was 22% from CRS-HIPEC, and complications were common. The number of pathologic lymph node metastases was inversely correlated with overall survival. Further investigation of CRS-HIPEC for GA should include patient selection based on response to systemic chemotherapy or incorporate novel intraperitoneal treatment strategies.

Preoperative Maximum Standardized Uptake Value Associated With Recurrence Risk in Early Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) as a predictor of recurrence and timing of recurrence after resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: The study retrospectively reviewed patients from a single institution who underwent lobectomy for stage I to IIa non-small cell lung cancer from 2013 to 2018. Exclusion criteria included preoperative therapy and neuroendocrine histologic type. The study investigators collected recurrence and follow-up data, as well as preoperative SUVmax. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the optimal SUVmax for predicting recurrence. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were used to identify predictors of freedom from recurrence (FFR). RESULTS: The study included 238 patients, 30 (12.6%) of whom had disease recurrence. The receiver operating characteristic curve had an area under the curve of 0.671 and identified 4.93 as the optimal SUVmax cutoff. Patients were stratified into groups on the basis of this value; each group included 119 patients. High SUVmax was associated with larger tumor size, poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, and shorter FFR. The proportion of patients without recurrence at 5 years in the low- and high-SUVmax groups were 92.4% and 73.4%, respectively (P < .001). On univariate analysis, poor differentiation (hazard ratio [HR],2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 5.31; P = .04), lymphovascular invasion (HR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.37 to 7.44; P = .007), visceral pleural invasion (HR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.20; P = .04), and SUVmax 4.93 or greater (HR, 4.51; 95% CI, 1.84 to 11.03; P = .001) predicted FFR. On multivariable analysis, only SUVmax 4.93 or greater remained significant (HR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.50 to 19.17; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: SUVmax is independently associated with a risk of recurrence after resection of early-stage lung cancer. SUVmax may be a valuable tool for stratifying patients with early-stage lung cancer for adjuvant therapy and surveillance frequency.

Advance care planning in patients undergoing surgery to resect pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Underlying tension between balancing hope and realism.

BACKGROUND: The timing and the dose of Advanced Care Planning in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma undergoing curative-intent resection are generally dictated by the surgeon performing the operation. METHODS: A qualitative investigation using 1:1 interviews with 40 open-ended questions was conducted with a convenience sample of 10 high-volume pancreatic surgeons from across the country. The grounded theory approach was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 10 interviews were conducted with expert pancreatic surgeons-6 males and 4 females. During preoperative counseling, all surgeons attempt to motivate patients by emphasizing hope, optimism, and the fact that surgery offers the only opportunity for cure. All surgeons discuss the possibility of recurrence as well as postoperative complications; however, a majority perceived that patients do not fully appreciate the likelihood of recurrence or postoperative complications. All surgeons acknowledged the importance of end-of-life conversations when death is imminent. Seventy percent of surgeons had mixed opinions regarding benefits of preoperative Advanced Care Planning in the preoperative setting, while 20% felt it was definitely beneficial, particularly that delivery of care aligned with patient goals. All surgeons emphasized that Advanced Care Planning should be led by a physician who both knows the patient well and understands the nuances of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma management. Most common barriers to in-depth Advanced Care Planning discussion reported by surgeons include taking away hope, lack of time, and concern for sending "mixed messages." CONCLUSION: We identified that surgeons experience a fundamental tension between promoting realistic long-term goals and expectations versus focusing on hope and enabling an overly optimistic perception of prognosis.

Classifying Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

An oligometastatic cancer state was first postulated in the 1990s by Hellman and Weichselbaum and described limited metastatic spread to a single or few sites of disease. It was hypothesized that this metastatic entity falls along a continuum of the natural history of cancer progression from a localized primary tumor to widespread metastases. Support for oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has since been provided by multiple retrospective studies and then prospective randomized trials demonstrating better survival in this patient population after aggressive consolidative treatment. However, the lack of a universal definition of oligometastatic NSCLC has hindered a comparison between different studies and prevented well-defined recommendations for local consolidative treatment in this patient population. Attempts have been made to establish a common definition for use in clinical management and for the identification of inclusion criteria for future trials. In this review, we seek to summarize the current definitions of oligometastatic NSCLC based on recent expert consensus statements, previous randomized trials, and current treatment guidelines and to highlight the continued variability in current practice.

Optimizing Discharge After Shorter Hospitalizations: Lessons Learned Through After-Hours Calls with Thoracic Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive procedures coupled with enhanced recovery pathways enable faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospitalizations. However, patients may experience unexpected concerns after return home, prompting after-hours calls. We aimed to characterize concerns prompting after-hours calls to improve discharge strategies. METHODS: A single-institution, retrospective review was conducted of thoracic surgical patients from 11/4/2019 to 6/14/2020. Records were reviewed and elements of patient demographics, surgical procedures, postoperative courses, reasons for calls, and outcome of calls were collected. We compared characteristics of patients who made after-hours calls to those who did not, and performed multivariable analysis to identify characteristics associated with making an after-hours call. RESULTS: During the study period, 379 patients underwent thoracic surgical procedures, among whom 88 (23.2%) initiated after-hours calls. Of these, 62 (70%) addressed patient symptoms, while 26 (30%) addressed patient questions including drain management, medications, and hospital policy questions. Patients making after-hours calls more frequently had undergone complex operations (26.1% vs 8.2%, P = 0.001), and were less likely to have received a standardized, clinician-initiated post-discharge telephone follow-up (29.5% vs 54.3%, P < 0.001). Complex operations increased likelihood of after-hours calls (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.69-6.57, P < 0.001), while receipt of clinician-initiated telephone follow-up decreased likelihood of after-hours calls (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22-0.64, P < 0.001). There were no differences in emergency visits between the 2 groups (11% vs 8%, P = 0.370). CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to optimize patient symptoms and knowledge prior to discharge, a substantial number of patients still have concerns after discharge. Many after-hours calls are related to knowledge gaps that may be addressed with improved predischarge education. Moreover, clinician-initiated telephone follow-up shows benefit in reducing after-hours calls.

Implementation of a perioperative-enhanced recovery protocol in patients undergoing open gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes before and after implementation of an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) in gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: We included patients who underwent open gastrectomy for gastric cancer before (January 2016 to September 2018) or after (October 2018 to September 2020) ERP implementation. The primary outcome was the postoperative length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included 90-day readmission rates and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 complications. RESULTS: One hundred patients underwent gastrectomy before (pre-ERP group) and 52 underwent gastrectomy after (ERP group) protocol implementation. Demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics were similar. The median (interquartile range) postoperative LOS was shorter in the ERP group (7.0 days [6.0-8.0] vs. 8.0 days [7.0-11.0]; p < 0.001). The ERP group had similar rates of readmission (33% vs. 24%; p = 0.34) and grade ≥ 3 complications (19% vs. 19%; p = 1.0) compared to the pre-ERP group, but experienced lower rates of surgical wound complications (0% vs. 19%; p < 0.001). Rates of other complications were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ERP in patients undergoing open gastrectomy for gastric cancer is feasible and safe and has the potential to decrease postoperative LOS without increasing complication rates.

Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Plus Chemoradiation as Neoadjuvant Therapy for Resectable Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-institutional Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus chemoradiation (CRT) for patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GA). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The optimal neoadjuvant therapy regimen for resectable GA is not defined. METHODS: Utilizing data from 2 high-volume cancer centers, we analyzed patients who underwent surgery for localized GA from 1/1/2000-12/31/2017. Standard CT regimens were used according to treatment period. We compared propensity matched cohorts based on age, sex, race, histology, and clinical stage. RESULTS: Four-hundred five patients (age 62 ± 12 year, 58% male, 56% White) were analyzed. 231 (57%) received CRT and 174 (43%) received CT. Groups differed based on histopathologic characteristics including preoperative stage (p = 0.013). To control for these differences, propensity matched cohorts of 113 CT and 113 CRT patients were compared. CRT had similar frequencies of microscopically negative resections to CT (93% vs 91%, p = 0.81), but higher rates of complete pathologic response (15% vs 4%, p = 0.003) and lower pathologic stage (p = 0.002). Completion of intended perioperative therapy occurred in 63% of CT and 91% of CRT patients (p < 0.001). Median DFS was 45mo (95%CI: 20-70) in the CT group and 113mo (95%CI: 75-151) in the CRT group (p = 0.018). Median OS was 53mo (95%CI: 30-77) versus 120mo (95%CI: 101-138); p = 0.015. CONCLUSIONS: In this multi-institutional comparison of neoadjuvant CT and CRT for resectable GA, CRT is associated with higher rates of completed perioperative therapy, higher rates of complete pathologic response, lower pathologic stage, and improved survival.Level of Evidence: Level III.

Concurrent lymphovascular and perineural invasion after preoperative therapy for gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with decreased survival.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the impact of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and perineural invasion (PNI) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients treated with preoperative therapy. METHODS: Patients with gastric cancer treated with preoperative therapy and potentially curative resection were stratified according to the presence of LVI, PNI, or both. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: The study included 281 patients, of whom 93 (33%) had LVI, 69 (25%) had PNI, 51 (18%) had both LVI and PNI, and 170 (61%) had neither. LVI and PNI were each associated with higher ypT and ypN categories and more positive lymph nodes (all p < .001), associations that were emphasized with both factors present. On multivariable analyses, ypN (p < .001) and concurrent LVI/PNI (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-4.45; p = .001) were predictive of OS and DFS (ypN: p < .001; both LVI/PNI: HR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.34-3.82; p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric cancer patients with concurrent LVI and PNI after preoperative therapy have more advanced disease and worse survival outcomes than patients with neither or only one of these factors.

Chemotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Plus Chemoradiation as Preoperative Therapy for Resectable Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of a Large, Single-Institution Experience.

BACKGROUND: We compared oncologic outcomes of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with those of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus chemoradiation (CRT) for resectable gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We compared oncologic and survival outcomes of patients who received CT or CRT for gastric adenocarcinoma at our institution between July 1995 and July 2018. We analyzed propensity score-matched cohorts based on age, sex, race, tumor histologic characteristics, and clinical stage. RESULTS: We identified 440 patients (mean age 61 ± 12 years, 62% male, 55% white); 345 (78%) received CRT, and 95 (22%) received CT. The propensity score-matched cohorts included 65 patients who received CT and 65 who received CRT. The CRT group had similar frequencies of R1 resection margins to the CT group (7.7% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.75) but significantly higher frequency of pathologic complete response (27.7% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.001). The CRT group had lower pathologic stages (p = 0.002). Median disease-free survival was 50.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.7-97.2) in the CT group and 122.1 months (95% CI: 69.0-175.1) in the CRT group (p = 0.07). Median overall survival was 70.7 months (95% CI: 23.9-117.5) in the CT group and 122.1 months (95% CI: 68.7-175.4) in the CRT group (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CT, CRT for resectable gastric adenocarcinoma is associated with higher rates of pathologic complete response and subsequent lower final pathologic stage, but survival differences are not significant. Ongoing investigation is necessary to better determine the optimal neoadjuvant therapy and identify patients who receive optimal benefit from CRT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Relationship between initial management strategy and survival in patients with gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal management of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) due to gastric cancer (GC) is unclear. We examined the relationships between clinical and management variables and outcomes in patients with GC having GOO. METHODS: The GOO management and clinical course were reviewed in patients with GC and GOO. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to identify variables predictive of overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The study included 59 patients. Eleven had imaging evidence of metastasis and 35 had pathologically confirmed peritoneal disease. Initial management included resection in 23 patients, feeding jejunostomy ± decompressive gastrostomy (JT/GT) in 25, surgical gastrojejunostomy in five, and endoscopic intervention in six. Seven patients with initial JT/GT underwent resection after neoadjuvant therapy. Median OS (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 21.4 (0.0-45.1) months in the upfront resection group (median follow-up, 14.7 months) and not reached in those with initial JT/GT, neoadjuvant therapy, and later resection (median follow-up, 26.5 months) (P = .18). On multivariable analysis, clinically positive nodes (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.76; 95% CI, 1.17-12.12; P = .03), metastasis on CT (HR: 3.97; 95% CI: 1.53-10.26;P = .01), and resection (HR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17-0.79;P = .01) independently predicted OS. CONCLUSION: In GOO due to GC, OS is similar after treatment with upfront resection compared with JT/GT, neoadjuvant therapy, and later resection. Upfront JT/GT may allow patients to tolerate chemotherapy and improve selection for gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic HIPEC for Low-Volume Peritoneal Metastasis in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We seek to determine whether laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (LS-HIPEC) improves overall survival (OS) in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma and low-volume peritoneal metastasis compared with standard of care treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed data from a prospectively maintained database of patients with gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma to identify patients with radiologically occult carcinomatosis or positive peritoneal cytology, no evidence of distant metastasis, and without disease progression during initial chemotherapy or observation. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of LS-HIPEC on OS. RESULTS: We identified 25 patients who underwent LS-HIPEC and 27 treated with a standard of care approach due to patient (33.3%) or provider (51.9%) preference or financial limitations/lack of insurance coverage (14.8%). Resection was ultimately performed in 28% of LS-HIPEC patients and no standard care patients. At a median follow-up of 18.9 months, median OS was 24.7 (IQR 20.8-34.2) months in LS-HIPEC patients and 21.3 (IQR 12.3-23.1) months in standard care patients (p = 0.08). Three-year OS in the LS-HIPEC group was 19.1%, compared with 9.6% (p = 0.08). Patients who underwent resection had a median OS of 25.3 (IQR 22.6-47.1) months compared with 21.3 months in standard care patients (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant LS-HIPEC for the treatment of low-volume peritoneal disease in gastric and gastroesophageal cancer patients did not significantly improve OS compared with standard care. Multiinstitutional studies are necessary to further elucidate the benefit of LS-HIPEC for this patient population.

Identifying Core Principles of Palliative Care Consultation in Surgical Patients and Potential Knowledge Gaps for Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Palliative medicine is an important component of care for patients with advanced cancer. Previous studies demonstrated that surgeons tend to underuse palliative care in comparison with medical services. In addition, little is known about the specific use of palliative care services among surgical oncology practices. Therefore, we designed and performed this study to evaluate the use of palliative care in medical and surgical oncology patients. STUDY DESIGN: A single-institution retrospective review of consecutive palliative care consultations within a large National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in 2016 to 2017 was conducted. RESULTS: We analyzed 120 patients (60 surgical and 60 medical). Patient demographics in the 2 groups were similar. The surgical oncology patients were more likely to undergo consultation for advanced care planning (32% vs 13%; p = 0.02). Medical oncology patients were more likely to undergo consultation for pain management (97% vs 62%; p < 0.001). Symptom assessment scores for medical patients more frequently demonstrated dyspnea and malignancy-related pain than in surgical patients. Also, palliative care recommendations and interventions for surgical patients more frequently included end-of-life discussions and transfer to the inpatient palliative care unit. For medical oncology patients, recommendations more often included changes in pain and bowel regimen medication. In addition, despite more frequent consults for advanced care planning in the surgical patients, code status was changed to DNR more frequently in the medical patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical patients were less likely to undergo palliative care consultation for assistance with symptom management and more likely to undergo consultation for assistance with end-of-life discussions than were medical oncology patients. Advanced care planning and end-of-life discussions should be an area of focus in palliative care education for surgeons.

Staging laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology in patients with early stage gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Staging laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology can detect occult metastatic disease prior to treatment of gastric cancer. The yield of peritoneal staging in patients with early stage disease is lacking. We assess the yield of peritoneal staging in early stage gastric cancer and its impact on survival. METHODS: Data were obtained from a prospective database of patients who underwent staging laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology for gastric cancer at our institution between July 1995 and July 2018. Clinical stage was determined by endoscopic ultrasound, and early stage was defined as cT1-2 and cN0. Rates of positive cytology and carcinomatosis at time of laparoscopy were obtained. Univariate analyses were used to compare groups, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to assess survival outcomes. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty-seven patients underwent staging laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology; 56 were defined as early stage. Age was 61 ± 12 years, 66.4% were male, and 62.3% were white. Of the patients with early stage disease, 17.9% had either gross carcinomatosis (10.7%) and/or positive peritoneal cytology (10.9%). All cases of peritoneal disease were in patients with cT2 disease. There were no differences in age, gender, or race based on peritoneal disease (all p > 0.05). The presence of carcinomatosis or positive cytology significantly affected overall survival (p < 0.001), regardless of clinical T or N stage. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal staging identifies metastatic disease in a significant number of patients with early stage disease. Given its poor prognosis and alternate therapy options, independent staging laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology should be considered in patients with early stage gastric adenocarcinoma.