Fatigue scores in patients receiving palliative radiotherapy for painful bone metastases.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in fatigue scores for patients receiving radiation therapy for bone metastases and its impact on quality of life (QOL). METHODS: Fatigue and QOL scores were prospectively collected in patients for up to 3 months following radiation therapy for bone metastases using three questionnaires: group 1, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) (0-10); group 2, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30); and Core 15 Palliative (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) (1-4). RESULTS: Average fatigue score in group 1 (399 patients) was 4.72 at baseline, 5.08 at month 1, 5.01 at month 2, and 4.95 at month 3, and was 2.40, 2.39, 2.56, and 2.70 in group 2 (482 patients), respectively. Thirty-five percent of patients in group 1 had fatigue score increase ≥2 points at month 1, 36% at month 2, and 36% at month 3. Twenty-one percent of patients in group 2 had fatigue score increase ≥1 at month 1, 27% at month 2, and 40% at month 3. There was a statistically significant increase in fatigue score from baseline to all 3 months in group 1 only. In both groups, there was a highly significant negative correlation between fatigue and overall QOL scores at baseline and any follow-up month. CONCLUSIONS: There was a statistically significant worsening in fatigue in group 1 only. Up to one third had increased fatigue of clinical significance. Patients with less fatigue symptoms reported better overall QOL.

Minimal clinically important differences in the EORTC QLQ-BN20 in patients with brain metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QOL) is an important treatment endpoint in advanced cancer patients with brain metastases. In clinical trials, statistically significant changes can be reached in a large enough population; however, these changes may not be clinically relevant. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire brain module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) in patients with brain metastases. METHODS: Patients undergoing radiotherapy for brain metastases completed the EORTC QLQ-BN20 and QLQ-C30/C15-PAL at baseline and 1-month follow-up. MCIDs were calculated for both improvement and deterioration using anchor- and distribution-based approaches. The anchor of overall QOL (as assessed by question 30 or question 15 on the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-C15-PAL, respectively) was used to determine meaningful change. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients were included. The average age was 61 years, and the most common primary cancer sites were the lung and breast. Statistically significant meaningful differences were seen on two scales. A decrease of 6.1 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8 to 11.4) units and 13.8 (0.2 to 27.4) units was required to represent clinically relevant deterioration of seizures and weakness of legs, respectively. Distribution-based MCID estimates tended to be closer to 0.5 SD on the EORTC QLQ-BN20. CONCLUSION: Understanding MCIDs allows physicians to determine the impact of treatment on patients' QOL and allows for determination of sample sizes for clinical trials. Future studies should be conducted to validate our findings in a larger population of patients with brain metastases.

Towards an optimal multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment for older women.

The treatment of breast cancer presents specifc concerns that are unique to the needs of older female patients. While treatment of early breast cancer does not vary greatly with age, the optimal management of older women with breast cancer often requires complex interdisciplinary supportive care due to multiple comorbidities. This article reviews optimal approaches to breast cancer in women 65 years and older from an interdisciplinary perspective. A literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE, choosing articles concentrated on the management of older breast cancer patients from the point of view of several disciplines, including geriatrics, radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, psychooncology, palliative care, nursing, and social work. This patient population requires interprofessional collaboration from the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and into the recovery period. Thus, we recommend an interdisciplinary program dedicated to the treat ment of older women with breast cancer to optimize their cancer care.

Psychometric validation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy--brain (FACT-Br) for assessing quality of life in patients with brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the reliability, psychometric, and clinical validity of the use of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--Brain (FACT-Br) in patients with brain metastases. METHODS: Patients with brain metastases were interviewed using the FACT-Br (including the FACT-general) 1 week prior to treatment. All patients completed a follow-up assessment 1 month post-treatment. Patients with a good performance status and receiving stereotactic radiosurgery completed an additional 1 week follow-up assessment after the initial baseline interview to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Forty patients had complete 1 month follow-up data. Ten of these patients also completed the 1 week follow-up assessment from baseline. The median Karnofsky performance status of patients was 80 and the median age was 64 years. All subscales of the FACT-Br were found to be conceptually related (except for two correlations) using the following subscales: physical well-being (PWB), social/family well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB), functional well-being (FWB), FACT-G total score, brain cancer subscale (BrC), and the FACT-Br total score. All FACT-Br scores demonstrated excellent reliability, except for the SWB scale which revealed good reliability. The FACT-Br scores showed no significant change in the quality of life (QoL) of patients from baseline to 1 month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The use of the combined FACT-G and FACT-Br Subscale to assess QoL specifically in patients with brain metastases has successfully undergone psychometric validation. Future clinical trials should use the FACT-G and FACT-Br Subscale to assess QoL in this patient population.

Fatigue scores in patients with brain metastases receiving whole brain radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a treatment strategy used commonly to relieve burdensome symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple brain metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine changes in fatigue score following WBRT as it is a common symptom experienced in this population. METHODS: Fatigue and overall QOL scores were collected prospectively in patients for up to 3 months post-WBRT by several questionnaires at different times including the following: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ), Spitzer Questionnaire, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC brain module (EORTC QLQ-BN20+2), EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G). Questionnaires were grouped for analysis by Wilcoxon Signed Rank test according to the scale of ranking into 0-10, 1-4, and 0-4. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were interviewed with the ESAS or BASIQ. The median age was 65 years old, and median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was 70. There was a significant increase in fatigue score from baseline to month 1 (p=0.02), and months 2 and 3 had no significant change. There was a significant correlation between fatigue and overall QOL score at baseline and month 1 (p=0.01, p<0.0001), respectively. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients were surveyed with Spitzer, C15-PAL, BN20+2, QLQ-C30, or FACT-G. Median age was 64 years old and median KPS was 80. Compared to baseline, fatigue score was significantly higher at month 1 (p<0.0001) and month 2 (p=0.001), with no significant change at month 3. Significant correlation was found between fatigue and overall QOL at baseline, months 1, 2 (p<0.0001), and 3 (p=0.0009). For all groups, there was no significant change in fatigue score between patients with or without dexamethasone (Dx), except for the fatigue changed score of the group with scale 0-4. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue was significantly increased from baseline to month 1 in all patients, and most patients experienced no difference in fatigue if they were receiving Dx. Increased fatigue was significantly related with decreased overall QOL.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Density Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy of Nonspine Bone Metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Stereotactic body radiation therapy allows for the precise delivery of high-dose radiation to disease sites and is becoming increasingly used to treat nonspine bone metastases. Previous studies have shown that remineralization of lytic bone metastases follows after conventional radiotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate changes in bone density in nonspine bone metastases following stereotactic body radiation therapy. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for all patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy to nonspine bone metastases between May 2011 and April 2014. A minimum of 1 pretreatment and 1 posttreatment computed tomography scan was required. An independent musculoskeletal radiologist contoured the lesions on the most representative computed tomography slices. Density was measured in Hounsfield units and analyzed using pretreatment and posttreatment ratios. RESULTS: Forty sites were treated (55% lytic, 30% sclerotic, and 15% mixed). The median follow-up duration was 7 months. Lytic osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma progressed during initial follow-up imaging and then returned to baseline. Of 9 lytic lesions not from renal cell carcinoma, 6 showed an immediate increase in density and 2 remained stable. Six of 7 sclerotic lesions from prostate cancer showed decreased density throughout all follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic body radiation therapy is efficacious in the remineralization of lytic and demineralization of sclerotic nonspine bone metastases.

Radiological changes on CT after stereotactic body radiation therapy to non-spine bone metastases: a descriptive series.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has become increasingly used for the management of non-spine bone metastases. Few studies have examined the radiological changes in bone metastases after treatment with SBRT and there is no consensus about what constitutes radiologic response to therapy. This article describes various changes on CT after SBRT to non-spine bone metastases in eight selected cases. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for patients treated with SBRT to non-spine bone metastases between November 2011 and April 2014 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. A musculoskeletal radiologist identified eight illustrative cases of interest and provided a description of the findings. RESULTS: Different radiological changes following SBRT were described, including: remineralization of lytic bone metastases, demineralization of sclerotic bone metastases, pathologic fracture, size progression and response in different lesions, as well as lung fibrosis after SBRT to a rib metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: We reviewed the radiological images of eight selected cases after SBRT to nonspine bone metastases and a number of characteristic findings were highlighted. We recommend future studies to correlate radiologic changes with clinical outcomes including pain relief, toxicity and long-term local control.

A definition of "uncomplicated bone metastases" based on previous bone metastases radiation trials comparing single-fraction and multi-fraction radiation therapy.

The most recent systematic review of randomized trials in patients with bone metastases has shown equal efficacy of single fraction (SF) and multiple fraction (MF) palliative radiation therapy in pain relief. It is important to determine the patient population to which the evidence applies. This study aims to examine the eligibility criteria of the studies included in the systematic review to define characteristics of "uncomplicated" bone metastases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria of 21 studies included in the systematic review were compared. Common eligibility criteria were documented in hopes of defining the specific features of a common patient population representative of those in the studies. More than half of the studies included patients with cytological or histological evidence of malignancy. Patients with impending and/or existing pathological fracture, spinal cord compression or cauda equina compression were excluded in most studies. Most studies also excluded patients receiving retreatment to the same site. "Uncomplicated" bone metastases can be defined as: presence of painful bone metastases unassociated with impending or existing pathologic fracture or existing spinal cord or cauda equina compression. Therefore, MF and SF have equal efficacy in patients with such bone metastases.

Empowering Patients through Education: Exploring Patients' Needs about Postoperative Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for postprostatectomy prostate cancer patients. The primary objective of this study was to investigate patient opinions regarding the questions that should be discussed between health care professionals and postprostatectomy patients who may require radiation therapy with adjuvant or salvage intent, to help facilitate the decision-making process. METHODS: Patients who were consulted for treatment of prostate cancer at the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre and who had undergone a prostatectomy were invited to complete a survey. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of 74 questions that may be important to patients in their situation using a four-point ordinal scale (essential, important, no opinion, and avoid). Questions were grouped into six domains pertaining to diagnosis, decision making, radiation therapy procedures, benefits, side effects, and supportive network. Patients were also asked to list any other additional comments or questions that should be included. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables of interest. Chi-square analyses and Fisher exact tests were used to assess differences in numbers of patients choosing the essential response between demographics. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients agreed to participate and completed the survey. The majority of questions rated as essential or important by patients were from the "understanding my situation and prostate cancer diagnosis" domain, accounting for over 90% of patients. Overall, patients who were over 60, white, had an education of high school or less, and lived more than 10 km away from the cancer centre were more likely to have rated these questions as "important" or "essential." A few additional comments were also listed regarding side effects, prostate-specific antigen levels, further testing, and radiation therapy treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that there is wide variability among patients regarding the information that they want and need. Every question in our study was essential to some patients, and there was no question deemed so by the whole group. The information from the study will help in building an educational tool for postprostatectomy patients with prostate cancer and their families.

Tumor Response After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to Nonspine Bone Metastases: An Evaluation of Response Criteria.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the applicability of the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) and University of Texas MD Anderson (MDA) Cancer Center criteria in the setting of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to nonspine bone metastases. METHODS: Patients who were treated with SBRT to nonspine bone metastases were identified by retrospective chart review. An independent musculoskeletal radiologist evaluated response to treatment using computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were treated to 42 nonspine bone metastases. The most common primary cancer cites were renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (33.3%), lung (24.2%), and prostate (18.2%). Bone metastases were either mainly lytic (57.1%), mainly sclerotic (28.6%), or mixed (14.3%). When lytic and sclerotic lesions were evaluated according to RECIST 1.1, local control (LC) was 83%, 85%, 88%, and 80% for those with CT imaging between months 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 12, respectively. When evaluated by the MDA criteria by density, LC within each time period was slightly greater. Overall LC decreased considerably when evaluated by MDA in terms of size. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus definitions of response are required as they have implications on clinical trials and disease management. Without consistent response criteria, outcomes from clinical trials cannot be compared and treatment efficacy remains undetermined.

Retrospective review of the incidence of monitoring blood glucose levels in patients receiving corticosteroids with systemic anticancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are used adjuvant to certain chemotherapy regimens, either as an antiemetic, to reduce other side effects, or to enhance cancer treatment. Additionally, they are frequently used for symptom control in cancer patients with end stage disease. Corticosteroid use may induce hyperglycemia in approximately 20-50% of patients, which may negatively affect patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of blood glucose monitoring in patients with and without diabetes receiving continuous corticosteroids with chemotherapy, and to determine the incidence of treatment-emergent abnormal blood glucose levels and steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for 30 genitourinary (GU) cancer patients who were treated with continuous oral corticosteroids as part of their chemotherapy regimen. The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) criterion for diagnosis of diabetes was applied to categorize patients into two distinct groups, patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes. This categorization was made based on glucose measurements completed prior to commencement of corticosteroid therapy. Glucose monitoring was defined as receiving a laboratory blood glucose test before first chemotherapy administration along with a test within a week of each subsequent treatment cycle. The CDA criteria for diagnosis of pre-diabetes and diabetes was used to classify glucose levels as hyperglycemic. RESULTS: The mean incidence of blood glucose monitoring was 19% and 76% in patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes, respectively. Approximately, 40% of patients with diabetes required an adjustment to their diabetes management and a further 20% required hospitalization. Fifteen patients without diabetes received a fasting blood glucose test, of which 40% had abnormal blood glucose results; half of these fell into the pre-diabetic range and half in the diabetic range. Ten patients without diabetes were tested for diabetes using the CDA criteria for diabetes diagnosis during or after their chemotherapy, of which 30% developed diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: In order to optimize patient care, blood glucose levels should be monitored in all patients receiving continuous oral corticosteroids as part of their chemotherapy. Future studies should be conducted prospectively to determine the most effective manner of monitoring in order to implement screening guidelines and avoid unnecessary morbidity.

Psychometric validation of the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) version 1.0 to assess quality of life in patients with brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE: To test the reliability, clinical and psychometric validity of the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) in patients with brain metastases. METHODS: Brain metastases patients were interviewed using the BASIQ, Functional Assessment of Cancer-Brain (FACT-Br) and FACT-General (FACT-G) at baseline, with a follow-up assessment at 1 month. RESULTS: Forty patients had complete one data and the median age was 64 years. Patients with higher KPS, ECOG of 2, primary breast cancer, or >3 brain metastases, scored higher on the symptom scale of the BASIQ. All subscales showed no significant change in patient symptoms from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study supports that the reliability, clinical and psychometric validity of BASIQ to be used in brain metastases patients.

Preliminary results of the generation of a shortened quality-of-life assessment for patients with advanced cancer: the FACIT-Pal-14.

OBJECTIVE: Shortened quality-of-life (QOL) tools are advantageous in palliative care patients. Development of such tools begins with the identification of issues relevant to a population. The purpose of this study was to identify the most important items of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care (FACIT-Pal) to create an abbreviated questionnaire for future palliative care trials. METHODS: A convenience sample of patients and health care professionals (HCPs) assessed the relevance of each item of the FACIT-Pal and whether they would include the item in a final questionnaire. Patients and HCPs identified their top 10 most important issues and were asked whether items were inappropriate, upsetting, or irrelevant; a shortened questionnaire was generated from this input. RESULTS: Sixty patients and 56 HCPs participated. The median score in the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) of patients was 70, and the majority of HCPs were radiation oncologists. The 46-item questionnaire was shortened to 14 questions, retaining several items from the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) as well as issues pertaining specifically to palliative care patients. Items within the emotional, physical, and functional well-being subscales were retained along with those for various symptoms including constipation, nausea, dyspnea, and sleep. No new content beyond what is covered by the FACIT-Pal was identified consistently by either HCPs or patients. Similarly, no item was consistently rated as being inappropriate, upsetting, or irrelevant in the 14-item questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The FACIT-Pal-14, a shortened 14-item questionnaire has been generated for the palliative care population. Future studies should complete psychometric validation of this instrument for the assessment of QOL in palliative care patients.

Pain Management Needs Assessment: A Survey of Radiation Therapists at a Large Academic Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge of pain management among the radiation therapists (RTs) at the Odette Cancer Centre (OCC) to aid in the development of a formalized education strategy. METHODS: A needs assessment survey comprising eight topics pertaining to pain management was distributed to 130 RTs at the OCC. Survey topics were ranked using a 4-point Likert scale based on preference for further education, familiarity with the topic, and relevance to practice. RESULTS: RTs rated topics pertaining to the undertreatment, pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of pain as the most relevant topics requiring further education. RTs were most unfamiliar with topics concerning opioids and addiction, but did not find a need for further education. They also felt that breakthrough cancer pain was the most significant topic for further education. CONCLUSION: Implementation of an educational intervention for RTs to more effectively and efficiently address pain management for their patient population is needed. Topics of most clinical relevance include: undertreatment of pain, pathophysiology of pain, assessment and diagnosis of acute and chronic pain as well as its treatment.

Symptom clusters in patients with metastatic cancer: a literature review.

This article reviews the literature reporting empirically determined symptom clusters in patients with metastatic cancer. A literature search was conducted on symptom clusters within heterogeneous metastatic cancer patient populations using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Studies examining predetermined symptom clusters were excluded. A total of eight relevant studies published between 2005 and 2011 were identified. The number of symptom clusters extracted varied from two to eight clusters per study, comprising of two to eight symptoms per cluster. There were no clusters consistently identified within all eight studies. Notable differences in symptoms assessed, assessment tools, statistical analysis, patient demographics were observed between the studies. The lack of consensus among the inter-study symptom clusters are likely due to the differences in patient population as well as study methodology. Further exploration in metastatic symptom cluster research will ideally improve patient outcomes by facilitating improved symptom management in future clinical practice.

Comparing prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastases: a literature review.

For cancer patients with spinal metastases, palliative treatments are directed toward improving the patient's symptoms and quality of life. The expected prognosis of patients plays a large role in guiding treatment decisions, particularly when deciding between surgical management and conservative treatments, such as radiotherapy. This study aims to review the factors that can accurately predict the survival of patients with spinal metastases. The authors conducted a literature search on studies identifying prognostic factors using PubMed (1966­2011), Ovid MEDLINE (1948 to July 2011) and EMBASE (1947­2011) databases. Articles in English were included if they conducted retrospective or prospective analyses on predictors of survival for patients with spinal metastases; articles validating or examining the accuracy of existing scoring systems using prognostic factors were also included. A total of 29 studies were identified. A general consensus of the literature was found with respect to three prognostic factors: the patient's primary cancer site, the extent of the metastases and the general condition or performance score. Further research is recommended to assess the prognostic value of other factors identified by several studies, including age, neurological deficit and previous treatments. For future studies, the authors encourage the development of models capable of inclusion of all patients with spinal metastases.

Patients' and Health Care Providers' Evaluation of Quality of Life Issues in Advanced Cancer Using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Palliative Care Module (FACIT-Pal) Scale.

BACKGROUND: To examine the agreement of Health Care Providers (HCPs) and patients' evaluation of quality of life on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness therapy - Palliative care module (FACIT-Pal) scale. METHODS: Sixty advanced cancer patients and fifty-six health care providers involved in their care at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre completed a modified version of the FACIT- Pal. In the survey, patients and HCPs indicated the 10 top issues affecting the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer most profoundly. The percentage of participants selecting each item as one of their 10 most relevant items was calculated in HCPs and patients. RESULTS: There were differences in relative rankings of QOL issues among patients and HCPs. Among the top 10 items which were identified from both patients and HCPs, there were differences in the rankings. Patients ranked emotional support from family (40.9%) as most important followed by pain (38.6%), lack of energy (31.8%) and able to enjoy life (29.6%). HCPs ranked in the following order: pain (73.2%), lack of energy (63.4%), nausea (51.2%) and dyspnea (51.2%) whereas patients rated nausea at 18.2 % and dyspnea at 9.09%. CONCLUSION: There is a discrepancy between scores of patients and HCPs as they may prioritize differently. HCPs tended to put more emphasis on physical symptoms, whereas patients had emotional and global issues as priorities.