Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Cancer Fast-Track Programme.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many aspects of clinical practice in oncology, particularly regarding early cancer diagnosis, sparking public health concerns that possible delays could increase the proportion of patients diagnosed at advanced stages. In 2009, a cancer fast-track program (CFP) was implemented at the Clinico-Malvarrosa Health Department in Valencia, Spain with the aim of shortening waiting times between suspected cancer symptoms, diagnosis and therapy initiation. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our cancer diagnosis fast-track program. METHODS: The program workflow (patients included and time periods) was analysed from the beginning of the state of alarm on March 16th, 2020 until March 15th, 2021. Data was compared with data from the same period of time from the year before (2019). RESULTS: During the pandemic year, 975 suspected cancer cases were submitted to the CFP. The number of submissions only decreased during times of highest COVID-19 incidence and stricter lockdown, and overall, referrals were slightly higher than in the previous 2 years. Cancer diagnosis was confirmed in 197 (24.1%) cases, among which 33% were urological, 23% breast, 16% gastrointestinal and 9% lung cancer. The median time from referral to specialist appointment was 13 days and diagnosis was reached at a median of 18 days. In confirmed cancer cases, treatment was started at around 30 days from time of diagnosis. In total, 61% of cancer disease was detected at early stage, 20% at locally advanced stage, and 19% at advanced stage, displaying time frames and case proportions similar to pre-pandemic years. CONCLUSIONS: Our program has been able to maintain normal flow and efficacy despite the challenges of the current pandemic, and has proven a reliable tool to help primary care physicians referring suspected cancer patients.

Ten-year assessment of a cancer fast-track programme to connect primary care with oncology: reducing time from initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment initiation.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Integrating different levels of care by implementing screening programmes, extending diagnostic tools and applying therapeutic advances may increase survival. We implemented a cancer fast-track programme (CFP) to shorten the time between suspected cancer symptoms, diagnosis and therapy initiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Descriptive data were collected from the 10 years since the CFP was implemented (2009-2019) at the Clinico-Malvarrosa Health Department in Valencia, Spain. General practitioners (GPs), an oncology coordinator and 11 specialists designed guidelines for GP patient referral to the CFP, including criteria for breast, digestive, gynaecological, lung, urological, dermatological, head and neck, and soft tissue cancers. Patients with enlarged lymph nodes and constitutional symptoms were also considered. On identifying patients with suspected cancer, GPs sent a case proposal to the oncology coordinator. If criteria were met, an appointment was quickly made with the patient. We analysed the timeline of each stage of the process. RESULTS: A total of 4493 suspected cancer cases were submitted to the CFP, of whom 4019 were seen by the corresponding specialist. Cancer was confirmed in 1098 (27.3%) patients: breast cancer in 33%, urological cancers in 22%, gastrointestinal cancer in 19% and lung cancer in 15%. The median time from submission to cancer testing was 11 days, and diagnosis was reached in a median of 19 days. Treatment was started at a median of 34 days from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that the interval from GP patient referral to specialist testing, cancer diagnosis and start of therapy can be reduced. Implementation of the CFP enabled most patients to begin curative intended treatment, and required only minimal resources in our setting.

Correction to: SEOM clinical guideline for treatment of kidney cancer (2017).

The conflict of interest declaration was published incorrectly in the original version.

SEOM clinical guideline for treatment of kidney cancer (2017)

The goal of this article is to provide recommendations about the management of kidney cancer. Based on pathologic and molecular features, several kidney cancer variants were described. Nephron-sparing techniques are the gold standard of localized disease. After a randomized trial, sunitinib could be considered in adjuvant treatment in high-risk patients. Patients with advanced disease constitute a heterogeneous population. Prognostic classification should be considered. Both sunitinib and pazopanib are the standard options for first-line systemic therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Based on the results of two randomized trials, both nivolumab and cabozantinib should be considered the standard for second and further lines of therapy. Response evaluation for present therapies is a challenge (AU)

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SEOM clinical guideline for treatment of kidney cancer (2017).

The goal of this article is to provide recommendations about the management of kidney cancer. Based on pathologic and molecular features, several kidney cancer variants were described. Nephron-sparing techniques are the gold standard of localized disease. After a randomized trial, sunitinib could be considered in adjuvant treatment in high-risk patients. Patients with advanced disease constitute a heterogeneous population. Prognostic classification should be considered. Both sunitinib and pazopanib are the standard options for first-line systemic therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma. Based on the results of two randomized trials, both nivolumab and cabozantinib should be considered the standard for second and further lines of therapy. Response evaluation for present therapies is a challenge.

Validation of the International Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) prognostic model for first-line pazopanib in metastatic renal carcinoma: the Spanish Oncologic Genitourinary Group (SOGUG) SPAZO study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with metastatic renal carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line pazopanib were not included in the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) prognostic model. SPAZO (NCT02282579) was a nation-wide retrospective observational study designed to assess the effectiveness and validate the IMDC prognostic model in patients treated with first-line pazopanib in clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 278 patients, treated with first-line pazopanib for mRCC in 34 centres in Spain, were locally recorded and externally validated. Mean age was 66 years, there were 68.3% male, 93.5% clear-cell type, 74.8% nephrectomized, and 81.3% had ECOG 0-1. Metastatic sites were: lung 70.9%, lymph node 43.9%, bone 26.3%, soft tissue/skin 20.1%, liver 15.1%, CNS 7.2%, adrenal gland 6.5%, pleura/peritoneum 5.8%, pancreas 5%, and kidney 2.2%. After median follow-up of 23 months, 76.4% had discontinued pazopanib (57.2% due to progression), 47.9% had received second-line targeted therapy, and 48.9% had died. RESULTS: According to IMDC prognostic model, 19.4% had favourable risk (FR), 57.2% intermediate risk (IR), and 23.4% poor risk (PR). No unexpected toxicities were recorded. Response rate was 30.3% (FR: 44%, IR: 30% PR: 17.3%). Median progression-free survival (whole population) was 11 months (32 in FR, 11 in IR, 4 in PR). Median and 2-year overall survival (whole population) were 22 months and 48.1%, respectively (FR: not reached and 81.6%, IR: 22 and 48.7%, PR: 7 and 18.8%). These estimations and their 95% confidence intervals are fully consistent with the outcomes predicted by the IMDC prognostic model. CONCLUSION: Our results validate the IMDC model for first-line pazopanib in mRCC and confirm the effectiveness and safety of this treatment.

[Breast cancer metastases in the iris: does treatment modifies natural history of the illness?]. / Metástasis en iris de un carcinoma de mama: ¿modifica el tratamiento la historia natural de la enfermedad?

The 4-5% of the breast cancer patients have metastases in the eye. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with an infiltrant duct carcinoma of the breast pT2N2M0 HER2 positive. Six months after primary radical treatment she had a systemic relapse with multiples metastatic sites, so several treatment with trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy were started. After 4 years patient presented multiple white-coloured micronodules in the iris of the right eye. Only a 3-7.8% of ocular metastases are located in the iris. With mantenaince therapy with trastuzumab natural history of the illness has changed. Several studies had analyzed if metastases in the brain during treatment with trastuzumab have increased in comparison with the pretrastuzumab era. The infrequent presentation of metastases in the anterior uveal makes difficult to establish if it is an spontaneous fact or if it is favoured by trastuzumab treatment.

Metástasis en iris de un carcinoma de mama: ¿modifica el tratamiento la historia natural de la enfermedad? / Breast cancer metastases in the iris: does treatment modifies natural history of the illness?

El 4-5% de las pacientes con cáncer de mama presentan metástasis oculares. Presentamos a una mujer de 30 años con un carcinoma ductal infiltrante de mama pT2N2M0 HER2 positivo. A los seis meses de finalizar el tratamiento presentó una recaída sistémica con múltiples localizaciones metástaticas por lo que inició tratamientos combinados de trastuzumab mantenido y quimioterapia. Tras 4 años con trastuzumab de mantenimiento presenta en iris de ojo derecho multiples micronódulos blanquecinos. Solo un 3-7.8% de las metástasis oculares se localizan en el iris. Con la terapia mantenida con trastuzumab la historia natural de la enfermedad avanzada ha cambiado, diversos estudios analizaron si existe mayor frecuencia de metástasis cerebrales en pacientes tratados con trastuzumab que en la era pretrastuzumab. La infrecuente aparición de metástasis en úvea anterior hace difícil establecer si es un hecho espontáneo o si está favorecido por el tratamiento con trastuzumab

The 4-5% of the breast cancer patients have metastases in the eye. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with an infiltrant duct carcinoma of the breast pT2N2M0 HER2 positive. Six months after primary radical treatment she had a systemic relapse with multiples metastaticsites, so several treatment with trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy were started. After 4 years patient presented multiple white-coloured micronodules in the iris of the right eye. Only a 3-7.8% of ocular metastases are located in the iris. With mantenaince therapy with trastuzumab natural history of the illness has changed. Several studies had analyzed if metastases in the brain during treatment with trastuzumab have increased in comparison with the pretrastuzumab era.The infrequent presentation of metastases in the anterior uveal makes difficult to establish if it is an spontaneous fact or if it is favoured by trastuzumab treatment

[Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy, possible complication after urinary diversion in radical cystectomy. Review of the literature with regard to a clinical case]. / La encefalopatia hiperamonémica, una posible complicación por derivación urinaria tras cistectomía radical. Revisión de la literatura a proposito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy is an intervention with an important morbidity. Urinary diversion is a possible cause of metabolic complications like hyperammonaemic encephalopathy. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a patient treated with a radical cystectomy and modified ureterosigmoidostomy after diagnosis of bladder cancer. After surgery the patient presented in 4 ocasions recurrent episodic confusion. Laboratory and image tests were normal. Levels of seric ammonium was increased. After supportive treatment and hemodyalisis symptoms disappeared. Later patient was reoperated and a reconstruction to ileal conduit was made. DISCUSSION: Continent urinary diversions are advised due to important negative impact on quality of life produced by ileal conduit. However these diversions have several complications, like encephalopathy secondary to non-hepatic hyperammonaemia. Increased absortion of ammonium by intestinal tissue of the new-ladder induces encephalopathy. Early diagnosis of this complication is essencial in order to administer an effective treatment.

Molecular biology of gastric cancer.

Despite its decreasing incidence overall, gastric cancer is still a challenging disease. Therapy is based mainly upon surgical resection when the tumour remains localised in the stomach. Conventional chemotherapy may play a role in treating micrometastatic disease and is effective as palliative therapy for recurrent or advanced disease. However, the knowledge of molecular pathways implicated in gastric cancer pathogenesis is still in its infancy and the contribution of molecular biology to the development of new targeted therapies in gastric cancer is far behind other more common cancers such as breast, colon or lung. This review will focus first on the difference of two well defined types of gastric cancer: intestinal and diffuse. A discussion of the cell of origin of gastric cancer with some intriguing data implicating bone marrow derived cells will follow, and a comprehensive review of different genetic alterations detected in gastric cancer, underlining those that may have clinical, therapeutic or prognostic implications.

La encefalopatía hiperamonémica, una posible complicación por derivación urinaria tras cistectomía radical. Revisión de la literatura a proposito de un caso / Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy, possible complication after urinary diversion in radical cystectomy. Review of the literature with regard to a clinical case

Introducción: La cistectomía radical es una intervención con una elevada morbilidad. Las derivaciones postcistectomía pueden ocasionar complicaciones metabólicas como la encefalopatía hiperamonémica. Caso Clínico: Presentamos el caso de una paciente cistectomizada por un carcinoma vesical con posterior ureterosigmoidostomía. Tras la intervención acudió en 4 ocasiones con síntomas neurológicos y confusión. Todo el estudio analítico y pruebas de imagen fueron normales. Los niveles de amonio en sangre estaban elevados. Tras tratamiento de soporte y hemodiálisis la clínica desapareció. Posteriormente fue sometida a una nueva derivación quirúrgica (conducto ileal). Discusión: El empleo de técnicas de derivación continentes tras la cistectomía se aconseja ante la importante afectación de la calidad de vida que produce el conducto ileal. Sin embargo, estas técnicas tienen complicaciones, como la encefalopatía hiperamonémica de causa no hepática. La elevada absorción de amonio por el epitelio intestinal de la neovejiga induce una encefalopatía. Es esencial su diagnóstico temprano con el fin de iniciar un tratamiento eficaz

Introduction: Radical cystectomy is an intervention with an important morbidity. Urinary diversion is a possible cause of metabolic complications like hyperammonaemic encephalopathy. Case report: We present the case of a patient treated with a radical cystectomy and modified ureterosigmoidostomy after diagnosis of bladder cancer. After surgery the patient presented in 4 ocasions recurrent episodic confusion. Laboratory and image tests were normal. Levels of seric ammonium was increased. After supportive treatment and hemodyalisis symptoms disappeared. Later patient was reoperated and a reconstruction to ileal conduit was made. Discussion: Continent urinary diversions are advised due to important negative impact on quality of life produced by ileal conduit. However these diversions have several complications, like encephalopathy secondary to non-hepatic hyperammonaemia. Increased absortion of ammonium by intestinal tissue of the new-ladder induces encephalopathy. Early diagnosis of this complication is essencial in order to administer an effective treatment

Molecular biology of gastric cancer

Despite its decreasing incidence overall, gastric cancer is still a challenging disease. Therapy is based mainly upon surgical resection when the tumour remains localised in the stomach. Conventional chemotherapy may play a role in treating micrometastatic disease and is effective as palliative therapy for recurrent or advanced disease. However, the knowledge of molecular pathways implicated in gastric cancer pathogenesis is still in its infancy and the contribution of molecular biology to the development of new targeted therapies in gastric cancer is far behind other more common cancers such as breast, colon or lung. This review will focus first on the difference of two well defined types of gastric cancer: intestinal and diffuse. A discussion of the cell of origin of gastric cancer with some intriguing data implicating bone marrow derived cells will follow, and a comprehensive review of different genetic alterations detected in gastric cancer, underlining those that may have clinical, therapeutic or prognostic implications (AU)

Flegmasia cerulea dolens en paciente con carcinoma testicular / Phlegmasia cerulea dolens in patients with testicular carcinoma

Describimos un caso de flegmasia cerulea dolens secundaria a una trombosis venosa profunda por compresión de la vena cava inferior, en un varón de 31 años con un tumor germinal. Necesitó un tratamiento urgente con agentes fibrinolíticos, heparina intravenosa y quimioterapia. Con el tratamiento obtuvo una respuesta completa tumoral y una completa revascularización de la vena cava y vena femoral derecha

We describe a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens secondary to venous thrombosis due to compression of inferior vena cava, in a 31-year-old man with a germ cell tumour. He was treated with systemic thrombolytic agents, intravenous heparin and urgent chemotherapy He presented a complete tumoral response and complete revascularization of the vena cava and right femoral vein

[Phlegmasia cerulea dolens in patients with testicular carcinoma]. / Flegmasia cerulea dolens en paciente con carcinoma testicular.

We describe a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens secondary to venous thrombosis due to compression of inferior vena cava, in a 31-year-old man with a germ cell tumour. He was treated with systemic thrombolytic agents, intravenous heparin and urgent chemotherapy He presented a complete tumoral response and complete revascularization of the vena cava and right femoral vein.