Frequency and factors associated with falls in patients with advanced cancer presenting to an outpatient supportive care clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with fall episodes in advanced cancer patients. METHOD: We analyzed data that included demographic characteristics, utilization of assistive devices, cancer diagnosis, metastatic site, performance status, medications including hypnotics and opioids, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) score, and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) score in 384 consecutive patients who were newly referred to the Supportive Care Clinic at the MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 1 to December 31, 2009. All patients completed standardized forms to report falls within the last month. Multivariate backward regression analyses were employed to identify factors predictive of falls in advanced cancer. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 58 years, and 192 (50%) were male. Mean (SD)/median score for pain was 5 (2.8), 5; fatigue 5.6 (2.6), 6; sleep disturbance 5(2.7), 5; drowsiness 3.7(3), 3; and anorexia 5(3), 5. Some 31 patients (8%) reported fall episodes within the past month, 17 (55%) of whom reported the use of assistive devices. Using assist devices (OR = 5.5, 95% CI: 2.6-11.9, p < 0.0001) and taking zolpidem (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.39-7.7, p = 0.008) were associated with an enhanced chance of falling. Higher MDAS score (4.00 vs. 1.42, p = 0.001) and MDAS positive screening for delirium (21 vs. 3.6%, p < 0.001) were also associated with falls. However, severity on the ESAS at the initial consult was not associated with falls. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: We conclude that 31 of 384 patients (8%) with advanced cancer receiving outpatient supportive care reported falls in the previous month. Patients with assistive devices, taking zolpidem, and with a higher MDAS score, and a positive delirium screening reported more frequent falls. Further studies are warranted.

Self-reported sleep disturbance in patients with advanced cancer: Frequency, intensity, and factors associated with response to outpatient supportive care consultation--A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: Self-reported sleep disturbance (SD) is a distressing symptom in patients with advanced cancer. There are limited data on the treatment of SD and predictors to response of SD to outpatient supportive care clinic (OPC) consultation. The aims of our study was to determine the frequency, intensity, and correlates of SD as assessed with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) sleep item at the time of initial consultation and identify the predictors of improvement in SD at follow-up. METHODS: We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with advanced cancer presenting to the OPC. ESAS scores were obtained at the initial and subsequent visits between January 2008 and February 2010. All patients underwent screening for SD (0-10 scale: 0 = best sleep, presence of SD defined as ≥ 3) and interdisciplinary assessment and treatment, including drug review, counseling, sleep hygiene review, and drug therapy. A response was defined as a 1-point improvement at the follow-up visit on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) sleep item score. Baseline patient characteristics, medication use, and ESAS scores were analyzed to determine their association with response. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years, and 53% of patients were men. The most common cancer type was head and neck or lung (36%). Of the 442 patients, 330 had baseline SD (score ≥ 3/10, 75%). Median and mean (standard deviation) baseline SD scores were 5 and 5.1 (2.9). The multivariable regression model found the intensity of baseline ESAS sleep item scores to be associated with baseline sedative use, baseline ESAS pain scores, baseline ESAS fatigue scores, baseline ESAS feeling of well-being scores, and sedative use (R 2 = 0.22). Sleep disturbance response at first follow-up was seen in 196 of 330 patients (59%). Moderate to high SD score and anxiety at initial visit with odds ratios (OR) of 2.53 (p = 0.0007) and 1.59 (p = 0.048), respectively, were associated with a response. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Both the frequency and severity of SD were high. Response to supportive care consultation was substantial. The severity of SD and anxiety at the initial visit predicted a response at first follow-up. Further research is needed.

Tolvaptan in hospitalized cancer patients with hyponatremia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: The rate of hyponatremia is higher in hospitalized cancer patients than in hospitalized patients without cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The availability of V2 receptor antagonists has been a major breakthrough in the management of hyponatremia, but its efficacy and safety in treating hyponatremia in patients with cancer is not known. METHODS: Adult patients with cancer who were admitted to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with nonhypovolemic hyponatremia (125-130 mmol/L) were randomized to receive either tolvaptan or placebo in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive, randomized trial. Both groups received the standard of care for hyponatremia, except that patients were allowed to drink to thirst. RESULTS: A preplanned Data Safety Monitoring Board analysis of 30 of 48 randomized patients who completed the study revealed that the primary endpoint of hyponatremia correction was met by 16 of 17 patients who received tolvaptan and by 1 of 13 patients who received placebo (94% vs 8%; P < .001), which met the study stopping rule for superiority. The secondary endpoints between the tolvaptan and placebo groups (mean ± standard deviation) for length of stay (21 ± 15 days vs 26 ± 15 days, respectively) and change in the Mini-Mental State Examination score (-0.35 ± 1.66 vs 0.31 ± 2.42, respectively) were not significantly different. No overcorrection of serum sodium (>12 mmol/L per day) was noted in the tolvaptan group, and the main adverse events noted were dry mouth, polydipsia, and polyuria, leading to 13% study withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Although tolvaptan was effective for correcting hyponatremia in patients with cancer, studies with a larger sample size will be required to confirm the current findings, including the outcomes of secondary endpoints.

Sociooccupational and physical outcomes more than 20 years after the diagnosis of osteosarcoma in children and adolescents: limb salvage versus amputation.

BACKGROUND: To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been relatively little research published to date regarding very long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent osteosarcoma. In the current study, the authors compared the very long-term survival outcomes of patients with osteosarcoma who were treated with either limb salvage procedures or amputation. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with osteosarcoma who survived ≥ 20 years from the time of diagnosis were divided into 2 groups according to whether they underwent amputation or limb salvage. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning their education, employment, annual income, marital status, health insurance, lifestyle, siblings, and all current and past health issues. RESULTS: Education, employment, marital status, and health insurance were not found to differ significantly between the 2 groups of survivors, who described themselves as being similar to their siblings. Eight percent of survivors underwent secondary amputation because of complications with an endoprosthesis. The cumulative incidence of second primary neoplasms was 13%, and this finding was significantly higher in females and in survivors who underwent radiotherapy and had a genetic predisposition. The second primary malignancies were breast cancer (ductal invasive carcinoma, ductal in situ carcinoma, and leiomyosarcoma), mediastinal leiomyosarcoma, and squamocellular carcinoma of the oral cavity and the uterine cervix. Amputees required more assistive walking support than survivors who received limb salvage treatment (P<.05, chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the many challenges that osteosarcoma survivors face, patients who survived ≥ 20 years after their initial diagnosis reported having overall adjusted well to their physical limitations and were productive individuals.

UBE4B levels are correlated with clinical outcomes in neuroblastoma patients and with altered neuroblastoma cell proliferation and sensitivity to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The UBE4B gene, which is located on chromosome 1p36, encodes a ubiquitin ligase that interacts with hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs), a protein involved in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) trafficking, suggesting a link between EGFR trafficking and neuroblastoma pathogenesis. The authors analyzed the roles of UBE4B in the outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma and in neuroblastoma tumor cell proliferation, EGFR trafficking, and response to EGFR inhibition. METHODS: The association between UBE4B expression and the survival of patients with neuroblastoma was examined using available microarray data sets. UBE4B and EGFR protein levels were measured in patient tumor samples, EGFR degradation rates were measured in neuroblastoma cell lines, and the effects of UBE4B on neuroblastoma tumor cell growth were analyzed. The effects of the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab were examined in neuroblastoma cells that expressed wild-type and mutant UBE4B. RESULTS: Low UBE4B gene expression is associated with poor outcomes in patients with neuroblastoma. UBE4B overexpression reduced neuroblastoma tumor cell proliferation, and UBE4B expression was inversely related to EGFR expression in tumor samples. EGFR degradation rates correlated with cellular UBE4B levels. Enhanced expression of catalytically active UBE4B resulted in reduced sensitivity to EGFR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrates associations between UBE4B expression and the outcomes of patients with neuroblastoma and between UBE4B and EGFR expression in neuroblastoma tumor samples. Moreover, levels of UBE4B influence neuroblastoma tumor cell proliferation, EGFR degradation, and response to EGFR inhibition. These results suggest UBE4B-mediated growth factor receptor trafficking may contribute to the poor prognosis of patients who have neuroblastoma tumors with 1p36 deletions and that UBE4B expression may be a marker that can predict responses of neuroblastoma tumors to treatment.

Frequency, outcome, and predictors of success within 6 weeks of an opioid rotation among outpatients with cancer receiving strong opioids.

BACKGROUND: Opioid rotation is used to treat uncontrolled pain and/or opioid-related adverse effects. Our aim was to determine the frequency, indications, outcomes, and predictors of successful opioid rotation in outpatients with cancer. METHODS: Medical records of consecutive outpatients with cancer who received strong opioids and returned for follow-up visit within ≤6 weeks to our supportive care center from January to December 2008 were reviewed. Data on patient characteristics, symptoms, opioid use, indications for opioid rotation, outcomes, and morphine equivalent daily dose were collected. Successful opioid rotation was defined as a two-point or 30% reduction in the symptom score or the resolution of opioid-induced neurotoxicity and continuation of the new opioid at follow-up. RESULTS: Opioid rotation was performed in 120 of 385 patients (31%). The median patient age was 55 years. There were 6/120 patients with missing data. Of the 114 evaluable patients, 68 (60%) were men, 81 (71%) were white, 27 (24%) had gastrointestinal cancer, and 90 (80%) had advanced-stage disease. The median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score was 1 (interquartile range: 1-2) and the median time between opioid rotation and follow-up was 14 days (interquartile range: 7-21 days). The most common indications for opioid rotation were uncontrolled pain (95/114; 83%) and opioid-induced neurotoxicity (13/114; 12%). A total of 35 patients (31%) had partial opioid rotation. The median improvements in pain and symptom distress score were -2 (interquartile range: -4 to 0; p < .001) and -5 (interquartile range: -14 to 7; p = .004), respectively. The morphine equivalent daily dose did not change significantly after opioid rotation (p = .156). A total of 65% of patients (74/114) had successful opioid rotation. There were no clinically significant independent predictors for successful opioid rotation. CONCLUSION: Opioid rotation was conducted in 31% of outpatients with cancer, with a 65% success rate. The most frequent reason for opioid rotation was uncontrolled pain. There were no independent predictors for successful opioid rotation.

Case control study of women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy as compared with nonpregnant patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this analysis was to compare disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between pregnant and nonpregnant patients with breast cancer. METHODS: From 1989 to 2009, 75 women were treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy. Each pregnant case was matched on age and cancer stage to two nonpregnant patients with breast cancer (controls). Fisher's exact test, the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used. RESULTS: Median follow-up time for patients who were alive at the end of follow-up (n = 159) was 4.20 years (range: 0.28-19.94 years). DFS at 5 years was 72% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.3%-82.1%) for pregnant patients and 57% (95% CI: 46.7%-65.8%) for controls (p = .0115). Five-year PFS was 70% (95% CI: 56.8%-80.3%) for pregnant patients and 59% (95% CI: 49.1%-67.5%) for controls (p = .0252). Five-year OS was 77% (95% CI: 63.9%-86.4%) for pregnant patients and 71% (95% CI: 61.1%-78.3%) for controls (p = .0461). Hazard ratio estimates favored improved survival for pregnant patients in univariate analyses and multivariate analyses, controlling for age, year of diagnosis, stage, and tumor grade. CONCLUSIONS: For patients who received chemotherapy during pregnancy, survival was comparable to-if not better than-that of nonpregnant women. Pregnant patients with breast cancer should receive appropriate local and systemic therapy for breast cancer.

Rasburicase in tumor lysis syndrome of the adult: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of rasburicase has been evaluated extensively in children, but not in adults. We review the current literature to evaluate its effect on adults. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING & POPULATION: Adults receiving rasburicase for tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES: Electronic databases, regulatory documents, and websites were searched up to August 7, 2012. Reference lists of published articles were examined for additional relevant references. Any controlled trial or observational studies (controlled before and after) were included. Studies considering children only or mixing data for children and adults were excluded. INTERVENTION: Rasburicase for TLS. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was TLS development. Secondary outcomes included percentage of patients improving, total adverse events, acute kidney failure, deaths, and serum uric acid and creatinine levels. RESULTS: 21 studies (24 publications) reported data for 1,261 adult patients, 768 receiving rasburicase for either the treatment or prophylaxis of TLS; these comprised 4 controlled trials and 17 observational studies. No statistically significant differences in clinical TLS development were observed in the controlled trials between the rasburicase and control groups. For the observational studies, 7.4% of patients developed clinical TLS after rasburicase (95% CI, 1.7%-16.7%), 93.4% of patients achieved normalized serum uric acid levels after rasburicase treatment (95% CI, 91.7%-94.6%), 4.4% developed acute kidney injury (95% CI, 3.0%-6.0%), and 2.6% died (95% CI, 0.95%-5.0%). The mean reduction in serum uric acid levels ranged from 5.3-12.8 mg/dL, and for serum creatinine levels, from 0.10-2.1 mg/dL. LIMITATIONS: Controlled trials differed in outcomes reported; meta-analysis was not performed. CONCLUSIONS: Rasburicase is effective in reducing serum uric acid levels in adults with TLS but at a significant cost, and evidence currently is lacking in adults to report whether rasburicase use improves clinical outcomes compared with other alternatives. Until new evidence is available, use of rasburicase may be limited to adult patients with a high risk of TLS.

Mentoring in pediatric oncology: a report from the Children's Oncology Group Young Investigator Committee.

A formal Mentorship Program within the Children's Oncology Group (COG) was established to pair young investigators (mentees) with established COG members (mentors). Despite the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement promoting mentorship programs, there are no publications describing and evaluating national mentorship programs in pediatric subspecialties. In this study, a series of internal program evaluations were performed using surveys of both mentors and mentees. Responses were deidentified and analyzed to determine the utility of the program by both participant satisfaction and self-reported academic productivity. Results indicated that mentees were generally satisfied with the program. Mentor-mentee pairs that met at least quarterly demonstrated greater academic productivity than pairings that met less frequently. This formal mentorship program appeared to have subjective and objective utility for the development of academic pediatric subspecialists.

Use of injectable spasticity management agents in a cancer center.

PURPOSE: This study aims to analyze the utilization and effectiveness of injectable spasticity medications by the physiatry team at a referral-based tertiary cancer center. METHODS: A retrospective review and analysis of patient and injection characteristics were obtained from patients who had received onabotulinum toxin or phenol nerve block injections from December 1, 2007 through January 31, 2012. Out of 3,724 physiatry consultations during this period, 20 (less than 1 %) different cancer patients received a total of 54 total procedures. RESULTS: The majority of patients (17/20, 85 %) had a positive response to the injection. A positive response to the injection was defined by: (1) if the patient qualified to receive and was given another injection or (2) if there is a record of improvement if they did not receive another injection. A total of ten of 20 (50 %) patients received only one injection. Of these, seven of ten (70 %) reported a positive response to the injected agent. Those with only one injection tended to live farther away and die sooner. Four of 54 (7 %) injection procedures resulted in undesirable reported side effects (two for phenol, two for botulinum toxin). Nine of 54 (17 %) procedures occurred while the patients were on a chemotherapy protocol. All patients were injected at least 1 year out from initial diagnosis.

Validation of ICD-9-CM codes for identification of acetaminophen-related emergency department visits in a large pediatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen overdose is a major concern among the pediatric population. Our objective was to assess the validity of International Classification of Disease (ICD-9-CM) codes for identification of pediatric emergency department (ED) visits resulting from acetaminophen exposure or overdose. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of ED visits at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010. Visits coded with 1 or more ICD-9 codes for poisoning (965, 977, and their subcodes and supplemental E-codes E850, E858, E935, E947, and E950 and their subcodes) were identified from an administrative database, and further review of the medical records was conducted to identify true cases of acetaminophen exposure or overdose. We then examined the sensitivity, positive predictive value, and percentage of false positives identified by various codes and code combinations to establish which codes most accurately identified acetaminophen exposure or overdose. RESULTS: Of 1,215 ED visits documented with 1 or more of the selected codes, 316 (26.0%) were a result of acetaminophen exposure or overdose. Sensitivity was highest (87.0%) for the combination of codes 965.4 (poisoning by aromatic analgesics, not elsewhere classified) and E950.0 (suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by analgesics, antipyretics, and antirheumatics), with a positive predictive value of 86.2%. Code 965.4 alone yielded a sensitivity of 85.1%, with a positive predictive value of 92.8%. Code performance varied among age groups and depending on the type of exposure (intentional or unintentional). CONCLUSION: ICD-9 codes are useful for ascertaining which ED visits are a result of acetaminophen exposure or overdose within the pediatric population. However, because ICD-9 coding differs by age group and depending on the type of exposure, hypothesis-driven strategies must be utilized for each pediatric age group to avoid misclassification.

Retrospective analysis of antitumor effects of zoledronic acid in breast cancer patients with bone-only metastases.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonates have been used successfully in the treatment of hypercalcemia and to reduce skeletal complications of bone metastasis, but have not been shown to prevent bone metastasis or to prolong survival time in metastatic breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with bone-only breast cancer metastasis differed based on whether patients received zoledronic acid, pamidronate, or no bisphosphonate upon diagnosis of their metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 314 patients diagnosed with bone-only metastasis at the time of initial staging or who developed bone metastasis as the first recurrence site during follow-up from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2008, at The MD Anderson Cancer Center. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazards models were used to assess the effects of each treatment on PFS and OS. RESULTS: Patients who had more than 1 bone metastasis and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 2 and 3 were more likely to receive zoledronic acid in this analysis. Compared with no bisphosphonate use, the use of zoledronic acid was not significantly associated with longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.72, P = .058 in univariate analysis, and HR = 0.80, P = .235 in multivariate analysis) nor with longer OS (HR = 1.04, P = .863 in univariate analysis and HR = 1.34, P = .192 in multivariate analysis). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that for patients with bone-only metastases, zoledronic acid did not prolong PFS or OS. In patients with bone-only metastasis, we could not demonstrate antitumor effects of zoledronic acid.

The relationship between body composition and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with operable breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Overweight women diagnosed with breast cancer have greater recurrence and mortality risks. Recent studies in advanced cancer showed that the combination of sarcopenia and an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) is associated with poor clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To compare pathological complete response (pCR) cases with controls and evaluate associations among a pCR, survival outcome, and sarcopenia as well as the combination of both sarcopenia and a BMI ≥25 kg/m(2). METHODS: Sixty-seven breast cancer patients with a pCR to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) were matched with controls who did not have a pCR to NC. Patients were matched by age, Black's nuclear grading system, clinical cancer stage, and estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status. Body composition was analyzed using computed tomography images taken prior to NC. RESULTS: BMI was associated with pCR. Among normal weight patients, the pCR rate was higher in sarcopenic patients and the progression-free survival (PFS) interval was significantly longer than in overweight or obese BMI patients. The death hazard was 2% higher for each unit higher skeletal muscle index and 0.6% higher for each unit higher visceral adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight patients treated with NC had a lower pCR rate and shorter PFS time. Among patients with a normal BMI, the pCR rate was better in sarcopenic patients. More research is required to evaluate the negative impact of sarcopenic obesity on prognosis and the contributors to better response rates in operable, normal weight breast cancer patients with sarcopenia.

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory ™ generic core scales, cancer module, and multidimensional fatigue scale in long-term adult survivors of pediatric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Most health-related quality of life assessments are designed for either children or adults and have not been evaluated for adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL ™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale in adult survivors of pediatric cancer. METHODS: Adult survivors (n = 64; Mean age 35 year old; >2 years after treatment) completed the PedsQL™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Feasibility was examined with floor and ceiling effects; and internal consistency was determined by Cronbach's coefficient alpha calculations. Inter-factor correlations were also assessed. RESULTS: Significant ceiling effects were observed for the scales of social function, nausea, procedural anxiety, treatment anxiety, and communication. Internal consistency for all subscales was within the recommended ranges (α ≥ 0.70). Moderate to strong correlations between most Cancer Module and Generic Core Scales (r = 0.25 to r = 0.76) and between the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Generic Core Scales (r = 0.37 to r = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: The PedsQL™ Generic Core Scales, Cancer Module, and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale appear to be feasible for an older population of pediatric cancer survivors; however, some of the Cancer Module Scales (nausea, procedural/treatment anxiety, and communication) were deemed not relevant for long-term survivors. More information is needed to determine whether the issues addressed by these modules are meaningful to long-term adult survivors of pediatric cancers.

Absolute lymphocyte counts refine minimal residual disease-based risk stratification in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the prognostic utility of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) during therapy for a range of malignancies, with low ALC associated with adverse outcome. Here we investigated whether ALC retained independent prognostic significance with respect to minimal residual disease (MRD) status in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PROCEDURE: We reviewed 171 cases of pediatric ALL treated on the Children's Oncology Group P9900 series of treatment trials. Variables analyzed included ALC at several time points during Induction, age at diagnosis, cytogenetics, initial white blood cell count, and MRD status at Day 29 of Induction (MRD-29). RESULTS: We found high ALC at Induction Day 29 (ALC-29) to be an independent, clinically significant predictor of improved relapse-free and overall survival (OS). Patients with ALC-29 >1,500 cells/µl had a superior 6-year relapse-free survival (80 ± 4% vs. 62 ± 8%, P = 0.018) and overall survival (96 ± 2% vs. 74 ± 8%, P = 0.001). Moreover, ALC-29 identified distinct prognostic subgroups within cases stratified by MRD-29. In subjects with >0.01% MRD, ALC-29 > or <1,500 cells/µl had a significant 51% difference in 6-year OS (92 ± 7% vs. 41 ± 16%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ALC, a readily obtainable test, constitutes a significant and independent prognostic factor in childhood ALL that may refine current MRD-based risk stratification algorithms and provide key prognostic information in settings where MRD determination is not feasible.

Cervical spine radiographs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the role of preoperative cervical spine radiographs to screen for instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the preoperative use of cervical spine radiographs in patients with RA undergoing preoperative anesthesia assessment and to determine whether preoperative radiographic findings influenced anesthesia delivery techniques. METHODS: We reviewed all medical records of RA patients who underwent surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia with airway intubation or monitored anesthesia care without airway intubation. We examined cervical spine radiographs obtained up to 2 years before surgery and determined airway management techniques used during surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 215 patients with RA underwent 217 individual surgeries requiring anesthesia; of these, 176 (82%) underwent general anesthesia with airway management with direct laryngoscopy in 83%, fiber-optic intubation in 10%, and laryngeal mask in 7%. Ninety-two (52%) of the patients receiving airway management had radiographs available for cervical spine evaluation; of these, only 7 (8%) had complete radiographic examinations with which to evaluate possible atlantoaxial subluxation. Eighteen (20%) of the 92 patients receiving airway management had radiographic evidence of cervical spine abnormality. Multiple regression models were conducted to evaluate the association of patient demographics and airway management technique used and showed that the use of fiber-optic intubation or laryngeal mask was not influenced by radiographic results. A difficult oropharyngeal class/glottic visualization grade (3 or 4) as determined by the anesthesiologist was the only statistically significant predictor of fiber-optic intubation or laryngeal mask use. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical spine abnormalities were frequently noted in patients who underwent general surgery but did not influence the choice of airway management. Future prospective studies evaluating the utility of cervical spine radiographs in patients with RA and practice guidelines are needed to ensure appropriate and cost-effective perioperative cervical evaluation and management of patients with RA.

Undocumented alcoholism and its correlation with tobacco and illegal drug use in advanced cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this retrospective study were to determine the frequency of undiagnosed alcoholism among patients with advanced cancer who were referred to palliative care and to explore its correlation with alcoholism, tobacco abuse, and use of illegal drugs. METHODS: The authors reviewed 665 consecutive charts and identified 598 patients (90%) who completed a screening survey that was designed to identify alcoholism, the Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye Opener (CAGE) questionnaire, including 100 consecutive patients who had CAGE-positive and CAGE-negative results. Data on tobacco and illegal drug use, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, and the morphine equivalent daily dose were collected. RESULTS: The frequency of CAGE-positive results in this palliative care population was 100 of 598 patients (17%). Only 13 of 100 patients (13%) in that CAGE-positive group had been identified as alcoholics before their palliative care consultation. Compared with CAGE-negative patients, CAGE-positive patients were younger (aged 58.6 years vs 61.3 years; P = .07), predominantly men (68 of 100 patients vs 51 of 100 patients; P = .021), more likely to have a history of tobacco use (86 of 100 patients vs 48 of 100 patients; P < .001), more likely to be actively using nicotine (33 of 100 patients vs 9 of 100 patients; P = .02), and more likely to have a history of illegal recreational drug use (17 of 100 patients vs 1 of 100 patients; P < .001). Pain and dyspnea were worse in patients who had a history of nicotine use. Both CAGE-positive patients and patients who had a history of tobacco use more frequently were receiving strong opioids at the time of their palliative care consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggested that alcoholism is highly prevalent and frequently under diagnosed in patients with advanced cancer. CAGE-positive patients were more likely to have a history of, or to actively engage in, smoking and illegal recreational drug use, placing them at risk for inappropriate opioid escalation and abuse.

Treatment outcome and prognostic factors for patients with bone-only metastases of breast cancer: a single-institution retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Limited information is available about the optimal management and clinical outcome of bone-only metastases in breast cancer patients. The objective of this study was to define prognostic factors for patients with bone-only metastases. Our second objective was to compare progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients with hormone receptor (HR)(+) tumors and bone-only metastases who received combinatory therapy (chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy, or endocrine therapy combined with molecular targeted therapy) and those treated with endocrine or chemotherapy alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 351 breast cancer patients diagnosed with bone-only metastasis in 1997-2008 at our institution. RESULTS: Patients with metastasis detected at the time of their primary breast cancer diagnosis (rather than at recurrence), a single metastasis, or asymptomatic bone disease had a longer PFS interval, and patients with a performance status of 0-1, a single metastasis, or asymptomatic bone disease had a longer OS time. Among patients with HR(+) human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2(-) disease, combinatory therapy was associated with longer PFS and OS times than with endocrine therapy. In multivariate analyses, combinatory therapy was not associated with longer PFS or OS times than with endocrine therapy. Among patients with HER-2(+) disease, trastuzumab led to a longer PFS interval but no difference in the OS time. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that, for HR(+) disease, a prospective trial of chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy is warranted to determine whether it prolongs survival more than endocrine therapy alone in patients with bone-only metastases.

Preliminary report: vitamin D deficiency in advanced cancer patients with symptoms of fatigue or anorexia.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency in noncancer patients is associated with symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and depression. These symptoms are common among advanced cancer patients. We investigated the prevalence of low serum vitamin D levels in cancer patients with fatigue or poor appetite and their association with symptom burden and other correctable endocrine abnormalities. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cancer patients with appetite or fatigue scores of ≥4 of 10 referred to a supportive care clinic. We investigated serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D, cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and bioavailable testosterone. Symptoms were measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D <20 ng/mL was considered deficient; ≥20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL were considered insufficient. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly male (68%) and white (66%), with a median age of 60 years (range, 27-91 years). Gastrointestinal (30%) and lung (22%) cancers were predominant. Forty-seven patients (47%) were vitamin D deficient and 70 (70%) were insufficient. Thirteen of 70 patients (19%) with vitamin D insufficiency were on supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency was more common among nonwhites (82% versus 36%) and females. No significant association was found between vitamin D and symptoms. Hypogonadic males had a significantly lower mean 25(OH) vitamin D level than eugonadic males. CONCLUSIONS: Low vitamin D levels were highly prevalent among advanced cancer patients with cachexia or fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent among nonwhite and female patients. Vitamin D levels were also significantly lower in male patients with hypogonadism.

Association between a name change from palliative to supportive care and the timing of patient referrals at a comprehensive cancer center.

PURPOSE: Palliative care consultation services are now available in the majority of cancer centers, yet most referrals to palliative care occur late. We previously found that the term "palliative care" was perceived by oncology professionals as a barrier to early patient referral. We aimed to determine whether a service name change to supportive care was associated with earlier referrals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records of 4,701 consecutive patients with a first palliative care consultation before (January 2006 to August 2007) and after (January 2008 to August 2009) the name change were analyzed, including demographics and dates of first registration to hospital, advanced cancer diagnosis, palliative care consultation, and death. One-sample proportions tests, median tests, χ(2) tests, and log-rank tests were used to identify group differences. RESULTS: The median age was 59 years, 50% were male, and 90% had solid tumors. After the name change, we found: (a) a 41% greater number of palliative care consultations (1,950 versus 2,751 patients; p < .001), mainly as a result of a rise in inpatient referrals (733 versus 1,451 patients; p < .001), and (b) in the outpatient setting, a shorter duration from hospital registration to palliative care consultation (median, 9.2 months versus 13.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; p < .001) and from advanced cancer diagnosis to palliative care consultation (5.2 months versus 6.9 months; HR, 0.82; p < .001), and a longer overall survival duration from palliative care consultation (median 6.2 months versus 4.7 months; HR, 1.21; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The name change to supportive care was associated with more inpatient referrals and earlier referrals in the outpatient setting. The outpatient setting facilitates earlier access to supportive/palliative care and should be established in more centers.