Use of a Chemotherapy Toxicity Prediction Tool to Decrease Risks for Hospitalization in Older Patients.

Objectives Performance status (PS) scales such as the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS and the Karnofsky Performance Index have limited utility in selecting therapies and predicting related adverse events in older patients with cancer. In July 2016, medical oncologists at our institution adopted the Cancer and Aging Research Group toxicity prediction score (CARG), a toxicity prediction tool, to identify patients who are "fit" for chemotherapy versus those who are "frail" and may experience severe complications. Methods Our retrospective review included referrals of beneficiaries 75 years of age and older who received standard systemic therapy and patients of the same age whose treatment was modified due to CARG. We compared the score's utilization six months before and after its incorporation and then assessed how its application impacted admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and medical management. Results Thirty-eight patients with a mean age of 81 years met the inclusion criteria. Their diagnoses included gastrointestinal (37%), lung (21%), hematologic (18%), breast (10.5%), genitourinary (3%), and other (10.5%) malignancies. CARG was documented for 12.5% of systemic therapy recipients before its adoption and 41% of recipients after adoption. Its use was limited by the reliance on physicians to perform scoring during time-constrained patient encounters. Patients had fewer mean inpatient admissions (0.7 versus 2.3), admission days (4.3 versus 8), and ED visits (1.1 versus 2.5) when management was modified based on the score. Conclusion CARG assessment may facilitate a safer and more tailored approach to cancer care in older patients than conventional PS scales alone. Its integration into patient screening would increase its application and better define its potential predictive capacity to decrease risks for hospitalization.

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and merkel cell carcinoma.

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an antibody-mediated disorder of the neuromuscular junction that is most commonly diagnosed in association with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Small cell lung carcinoma is histologically similar to the aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). We provide a full report and longitudinal clinical follow-up of a case of LEMS occurring with MCC. We also review the literature on paraneoplastic syndromes associated with MCC and other nonpulmonary small cell carcinomas.

Peripheral Smear Review and Bone Marrow Biopsy Correlation.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS) interpretation is a useful skill for Haematology/Oncology Clinicians (HOC). AIM: To explore practice patterns of PBS utilization for all benign haematology diagnosis in a non-simulated environment and to evaluate how it may guide the HOC in determining further work up and whether or not to perform a Bone Marrow Biopsy (BMB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 451 outpatient referrals for benign haematology diagnosis. Patient demographics and diagnostic tests were recorded. We further analysed cases in which a blood smear was ordered or reviewed. In cases with PBS review, we recorded testing ordered by the HOC. RESULTS: Records of 451 patients met inclusion criteria. The median age was 55 with males representing 51.9% of the cohort. Distribution of disorders were 50.6% (n = 228) erythrocyte (RBC), 25.5% (n = 114) leukocyte (WBC), 11.3% (n = 51) platelet (PLT), and 12.8% (n = 58) "other." A CBC was ordered in 82.7% of cases (373/451). A PBS was ordered in 47.4% of CBCs obtained (177/373, p<0.001). Of these, documentation occurred in 49.2% (87/177) which led to further testing 41.4% of cases (36/87). A BMB was performed in 11.5% (10/87) of cases in which a PBS was reviewed compared to 4.3% (16/373) of cases where BMB was performed without PBS review (p=.019). Of the 36 cases in which PBS review led to testing, 10 BMBs (27.8%) were performed-all of which led to specific haematologic diagnosis. A specific diagnosis was found in 43.8% (7/16) BMBs performed without prior PBS review. CONCLUSION: PBS interpretation is an important skill for HOCs. Haematology/Oncology (H/O) training programs should continue to teach this skill to increase proficiency in order to help guide diagnostic evaluation of various haematologic disorders.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia as an Unusual Cause of Rapid Airway Compromise.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is the most prevalent form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Western countries predominantly affecting adults over the age of 65. CLL is commonly indolent in nature but can present locally and aggressively at extranodal sites. Although CLL may commonly present with cervical lymphadenopathy, manifestation in nonlymphoid regions of the head and neck is not well described. CLL causing upper airway obstruction is even more uncommon. We describe a case of a patient with known history of CLL and stable lymphocytosis that developed an enlarging lymphoid base of tongue (BOT) mass resulting in rapid airway compromise.

A Unique Case of Muscle-Invasive Metastatic Breast Cancer Mimicking Myositis.

Breast cancer rarely metastasizes to the muscles, and it is even more unusual for this phenomenon to result in airway compromise. We present a unique case of an 84-year-old female who presented with neck swelling and upper airway obstruction due to metastatic breast cancer invading the sternocleidomastoid muscles. After establishing the diagnosis and discussing possible treatment options, the patient elected for antiestrogen therapy, palliative tracheostomy, radiation therapy, and hospice services.