bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor as adjuvant therapy for resected stage III/IV melanoma: Retrospective review of a single institutional experience
Authors: Patel T. A. , Baweja M. , Maples W. , Markovic S. 
Published: March 2020

19002 Background: Preliminary data suggesting positive clinical outcome in patients treated with adjuvant granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) following surgical resection of stage III/IV melanoma already exist (Spitler et al). A compassionate use protocol for the treatment of such patients with the “Spitler” regimen (GM-CSF administered at 250 mcg/day s.c. for 14 days of a 28 day cycle) has been ongoing at Mayo Clinic. Herein we present a retrospective review. Methods: Between 1998 and 2006, data was collected from 30 patients rendered disease free by surgery who received adjuvant GM-CSF. GM-CSF was administered per the “Spitler” regimen, although one patient received a reduced dose of 125mcg/day. The Kaplan-Meier approach was used to estimate relapse free survival. Results: Thirty patients (14 Female) with a median age of 53 and excellent performance status were evaluated. Most patients had resected stage III melanoma (Stage II/III/IV: 1/20/9). Median followup was 33 months (3–96). Twenty one patients were treated with GM-CSF for at least 12 months. Overall, relapse-free survival at 1 year was estimated to be 69% (95% confidence interval (CI) of 54% to 88%), reducing to 44% (95% CI of 29% to 67%) at 3 years. According to stage, relapse free survival at 1 year was 70% (III) and 63% (IV), and at 3 years was 54% (III), and 13% (IV). Among the 21 patients completing at least 1 year of therapy, relapse free survival at 3 years was 52%. Seventeen patients relapsed (III/IV: 10/7). Six of these patients were retreated and only two relapsed. Toxicities were grade 1 with most common being injection site rash (23%), asthenia (17%), myalgia (17%), and fever (7%). One patient required dose modification for elevated liver function tests. Conclusions: Although limited in scope, our data further support a potential beneficial effect of adjuvant GM-CSF in resected stage III/IV melanoma. Recurrences in the treated population were often localized and amenable to further surgical treatment. The clinical relevance of this strategy is currently being prospectively tested (E4697, now closed to accrual). No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Assessment of cancer pain
Authors: Dugas A. F. , Murphy B. A. , Wells N. , Dietrich M. S. , Dwyer K. 
Published: March 2020

19500 Background: This study investigates: 1) The concordance between patients and staffs’ standard use of the numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain, in which 1–4 is mild pain, 5–6 is moderate and 7 and above is severe; 2) The relative importance of functional impairment secondary to pain in patients’ pain ratings. Methods: Patients with cancer and current or previous pain (N=178) were asked to complete a fifteen minute interview with open-ended questions about their perception of pain. Results: When asked to define mild, moderate and severe pain according to the NRS, 65% of patients gave numbers that did not meet standard definitions as noted above. When asked to define mild, moderate and severe pain in general, 38% differentiated severity of pain based on its impact on their ability to fulfill activities of daily living (ADLs) and 39% differentiated it based on their emotional reactions. When asked to define tolerable pain, 28% described it in terms of its impact on ADLs, while 30% described it in terms of the NRS. For those patients who used a NRS, the mean value for tolerable pain was 4.9 (range 2–8) and the mean value for intolerable pain was 8.1 (range 5–10). 26% of patients defined satisfactory pain control based its impact on ADLs while only 2% defined it according to a NRS. 68% of patients reported that pain interfered with their ADLs, however only 33% reported that pain medication interfered. Conclusions: There is discordance between the standard definition of the NRS and patient perceptions of it, suggesting it should be supplemented by other types of pain assessment. Based on NRS, patients tolerate higher levels of pain than expected. Patient satisfaction with pain control is more dependent upon ability to complete ADLs than on a numerical rating of pain. Therefore, patients’ ability to function at an acceptable level should be part of the standard pain assessment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Fitness and quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors and controls
Authors: Basen-Engquist K. , Lenihan D. , Carmack Taylor C. , Lu K. , Perkins H. , Hughes D. , McFalls K. , Shin K. 
Published: March 2020

19502 Background: It has been suggested that sedentary behavior during cancer treatment or effects of the treatment itself may decrease cardiorespiratory fitness in cancer survivors. However, few studies have tested whether cancer survivors actually have impaired cardiorespiratory fitness compared to similarly aged individuals who have not had cancer. We investigated whether endometrial cancer survivors had poorer fitness than women of similar age and activity level with no cancer history. Methods: The sample included endometrial cancer survivors in a pilot exercise study; all had been diagnosed with Stage I-IIIa disease and were at least 6 months post- treatment. Controls were recruited from a local multi-speciality clinic. Both groups had no contraindications to exercise and were sedentary. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by predicted maximal myocardial oxygen carrying capacity (MV02 max) on a submaximal ramped cycle ergometer test. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 (physical and mental component scores). Results: The study accrued 20 survivors (Mean age=58.6, SD=7.9; Mean BMI=30.5, SD=7.7) and 13 controls (Mean age=55.8, SD=7.6; Mean BMI=30.3, SD=7.0). In t-tests comparing survivors and controls, there were significant differences in predicted MV02 max (p=0.044) and physical aspects of quality of life (p=0.004), but not mental aspects of quality of life. After adjusting for age and BMI using ANCOVA, the p value for predicted MV02 max increased to 0.068, but differences in physical quality of life remained significant (see Table 1 ). Conclusions: Endometrial cancer survivors have diminished quality of life in the physical domain compared to women who have not had cancer; similar results were found for cardiorespiratory fitness, although the effect was attenuated after adjusting for BMI and age. The results suggest endometrial cancer survivors could benefit from exercise interventions to improve fitness and physical functioning. Table 1 : Fitness and quality of life of endometrial cancer survivors and controls. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Smoking cessation is challenging even after lung cancer surgery
Authors: Cooley M. E. , Sarna L. , Kotlerman J. , Lukanich J. M. , Jaklitsch M. , Bueno R. 
Published: March 2020

19507 Background: It is recommended that patients undergoing lung cancer surgery quit smoking pre-operatively to reduce peri- operative complications. Smoking cessation after diagnosis is associated with improved clinical outcomes. Few studies have examined the behavior of surgical lung cancer patients who are smokers. We sought to 1) determine the smoking prevalence rate at diagnosis; 2) identify readiness to quit and cessation strategies, 3) describe patterns of smoking overtime, and 4) identify factors (demographic, tobacco-related, and health status) correlating with smoking relapse and/or continued smoking (SR) after surgery. Methods: Ninety-four patients were enrolled in a descriptive study. Data were collected through chart review and standardized tobacco and health status questionnaires. Smoking status was assessed through self-report and measurement of urinary cotinine. The primary endpoints were smoking status at 1, 2, and 4 months after surgery. Frequencies, t-tests, and chi-square were used for analysis. Results: Eighty-four patients (89%) were ever-smokers and 35 (42%) reported smoking at diagnosis. Twenty-nine (83%) current smokers attempted cessation at diagnosis and 18 (51%) received assistance with pharmacotherapy being the most common strategy. One month post-operatively, 20 (56%) self-reported smokers planned to quit within the following month. Fifty (60%) ever-smokers remained abstinent, 13 (15%) continued smoking, and 21 (25%) relapsed. Ten (48%) of those who relapsed were former smokers and had not smoked for at least a year before diagnosis. Factors significantly associated with SR included younger age, lower education and pain. Those who relapsed were on average 7 years younger (p=0.01). Those without high school education (HS) had a significantly higher rate of relapse as compared to those with at least HS (83% vs. 48%, p=0.04). Those with pain had a higher rate of relapse as compared to those who did not have pain (73% vs. 33%, p=0.03). Conclusions: Smoking relapse rates are high after lung cancer surgery even among those who previously quit. Former and current smokers are at high risk for relapse and will require smoking cessation programs incorporating symptom management and relapse prevention. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Oral chronic graft-versus-host disease symptom experience and cytokine correlates in survivors after transplantation for hematologic malignancies
Authors: Fall-Dickson J. M. , Ramsay E. S. , Imanguli M. , Guadagnini J. , Odom J. , Atlam N. , Pavletic S. 
Published: March 2020

19510 Background: Oral chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) is a frequent, clinically significant sequela of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). No optimal treatment exists; molecular pathogenesis remains unclear. This descriptive study assessed stomatitis, oral pain, and dry mouth severity, and correlations with proinflammatory cytokine levels in stimulated submandibular saliva samples from cGVHD patients. Methods: Subjects were enrolled in the NCI sponsored cGVHD natural history protocol. Stomatitis severity was assessed with the Oral Mucositis Rating Scale (OMRS) (0–103); oral pain and dryness were self-reported via VAS (0–10). Saliva samples were collected on ice, stored at -80°C, centrifuged at 4000xg for 10 minutes at 4°C, and supernatant retained. Salivary TNFa, IL1a, and IL6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (R & D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Results: Adult male and female subjects (N = 42) with cGVHD after HSCT primarily for hematologic malignancies were prescribed systemic (n = 34) and/or topical (n = 4) immunosuppressive agents, and opioids (n = 19). All subjects had mild to moderate stomatitis (OMRS mean = 18.38; range = 2.0 to 46) with erythema (n = 40), lichenoid (n = 32), and ulceration (n = 25). Mild to severe oral dryness (43%) (mean = 2.56; range 0 to 10) was more clinically significant than oral pain (8%) (mean = .13). Salivary cytokine concentrations were: TNFa (n = 32; mean = .31 pg/mL; range 0 to 2.8); IL1a (n = 29; mean = 85.23 pg/mL; range = 13 to 250), and IL6 (n = 29; mean = 2.48 pg/mL; range 0.100 to 10.00). Significant associations by Pearson Product Moment correlation were: TNFa and erythema (r = .34; p < .05); IL1a and oral dryness (r = .40; p < .05); IL6 and OMRS (r = .49; p < .01), erythema (r = .63; p < .001), and ulceration (r = .38; p < .05). Conclusions: Paucity of oral pain may be related to appropriate management. Moderate to strong correlations between salivary TNFa and IL6 and oral cGVHD severity, and IL1a and oral dryness suggest utility as correlates of disease severity and symptom, and monitors of therapeutic response to investigational agents. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Accuracy and usefulness of a clinical prediction rule and D-dimer testing in excluding deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in cancer patients
Authors: Carrier M. , Lee A. , Bates S. , Wells P. S. 
Published: March 2020

19522 Background: Cancer patients frequently present with thrombotic complications and rapid, accurate diagnostic testing would reduce morbidity and mortality. Although the combination of a low clinical probability using clinical prediction rules (e.g. Well’s Score) and a negative D-dimer result have proven to be safe and reliable in ruling out DVT in the general population, the accuracy of such a strategy is less certain in cancer patients. Because cancer patients often have alternative reasons for leg swelling and pain, and because malignancy and chemotherapy can render the D-dimer test positive in the absence of DVT, we hypothesize that the Well’s Score and D-dimer testing are potentially less accurate and less useful in excluding DVT in patients with active cancer. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 2 prospective studies to compare the diagnostic test characteristics of the Well’s Score and D-dimer testing between patients with and without cancer presenting with suspected DVT. Results: A total of 1630 patients were studied; 107 had cancer. DVT was confirmed in 39.3% of patients with and 13.7% of patients without cancer. In both patient groups, the proportions of patients with DVT were significantly different among the high-, moderate- and low-probability groups according to the Well’s score (P<0.001). However, significantly fewer cancer patients (19.6%) had a low-probability score compared to patients without cancer (47.5%) (P<0.001). Similarly, 36.4% of cancer vs. 60.4% of noncancer patients had a negative D-dimer result (P<0.001). In cancer patients, a low probability score alone had a sensitivity of 95.2% (95%CI 82.6%-99.2%) and a specificity of 29.2% (95% CI 18.9%-42.0%). In combination with D-dimer testing, the sensitivity improved to 100% (95%CI 31.0%-100%) but the specificity was reduced to 26.4% (95%CI 13.5%-44.7%). In contrast, the specificity in patients without cancer was preserved at 53.9% (95%CI 50.4%-57.3%). Conclusion: DVT can be ruled out in cancer patients with a low clinical probability of DVT and a negative D-dimer result. However, the low specificity of these tests excludes very few patients and thereby limits their clinical usefulness. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with terminal cancer in Korea: Nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Park J. , Chang Y. , Kang K. , Jeong H. , Moon D. , Kim S. , Yun Y. 
Published: March 2020

19534 Background: Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) is widespread among patients with chronic diseases including cancer, little is known about CAM use in terminal cancer patients. Methods: This study included 4,042 families of cancer patients who died at 17 hospitals in Korea between January and December 2004. We conducted with telephone survey to decedents’ families. The response rate was 41.1%. The questionnaire included whether cancer patients had used CAM during last one year before death, type of modality, motivation for use, attitudes to CAM, and consultation with doctors. Results: CAM use of cancer patients was reported by 36.3% (604 of 1,662) and the average rate of CAM cost was 32% of total medical costs during one year before patient’s death. CAM use was more likely to death at hospitals (adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.35, 95% Confidential Interval: 1.15–1.58), residence in rural (aOR:1.26, 95%CI:1.08–1.47), need consultations about care (aOR:1.65, 95%CI:1.30–2.09) and religious support (aOR:1.3, 95% CI:1.11–1.53), diagnosis except liver/gallbladder cancer (aOR:0.67, 95%CI:0.55–0.81), and longer disease period (aOR:1.85, 95% CI:1.5–2.2). Use was greatest for mushrooms (41.6%), vegetable juice (25.6%), ginseng (21.8%) and Chinese medicine (16.4%). The motivation for CAM use was the recommendations from family members or friends (83.5%) and internet or advertisement (16.1%) but physicians’ recommendation or education (1.4%) was rare. The 37.4% of families of CAM-used patients were satisfied with CAM because of but feeling better or comfortable (79.3%), not cure (5.4%). And otherwise, the 62.1% of them were unsatisfied with CAM because of no effect (87.3%). Only 41.7% CAM users consulted with their physician. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of CAM use among terminal cancer patients without recommendation from doctors. Medical staffs should evaluate patients’ CAM use and inform accurately about CAM to terminal cancer patients and family for quality of care improvement. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Neoplastic pulmonary lymphangitis: Symptomatic treatment and quality-of-life evaluation in a prospective palliative care series
Authors: Dettino A. A. , Pagano T. , Jardim C. , Takagaki T. , Deheinzelin D. , Okamoto V. N. , Bensenor I. , Teodoro A. L. , Serrano S. C. , Negri E. M. 
Published: March 2020

19536 Background: Neoplastic lymphangitis, or lymphangitis carcinomatosa, is a rare and distressing form of lung metastasis, for which symptom improvement is strongly necessary. Since measuring quality of life is an important step toward improving symptom management in cancer patients, and dyspnea in pulmonary lymphangitis is a complex syndrome in end-of-life care, we focused on evaluating a cohort of those individuals. Methods: 52 consecutive patients with neoplastic pulmonary lymphangitis (NPL) were prospectivelly followed in 3 services, with quality of life (QoL) evaluation also, using Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF- 36) and Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: 65% (34) of patients were female; age ranged from 37 to 84 years (median: 60). Primary tumor sites were: 28 lung (54%), 18 breast (35%), 5 digestive (9%) and 1 bone cancer. Histological findings were of adenocarcinoma in most cases (71%). Karnofsky performance scale ranged from 10 to 90% (median: 60%); 52% (27) patients had other comorbidities (Charlson index ranged from 6–10; median 7); 48% (25) were previous smokers; hemoglobin levels ranged from 4.9 to 16.7 g/dL (median: 12). We also evaluated 33 patients with echocardiography, and 13 (43%) of them had signs of associated pulmonary hypertension; ejection fraction ranged from 46 to 83% (median: 69%); diastolic dysfunction was present in 22 and pericardial effusion in 10 patients. At accrual, median QoL scores were of: 32% (range: 0–84%) for SF-36 (scale with 0 worst) and 66% (range: 0–100%) for SGRQ (scale with 100% worst). Treatment is showed in a table below. Median survival was of 4 months (range: 0.2–40+ months); 22 (42%) of the patients had an unusual longer survival of more than 6 months, still showing good QoL scores. Conclusions: Despite the fact that QoL is generally poor and survival is short for patients with NPL, some patients may have longer survival time and some improvement is possible with active palliative care. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Efficacy and tolerability of fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT) in opioid-tolerant cancer patients with neuropathic pain
Authors: Thakur R. , Vaughan J. A. , Messina J. , Xie F. , Taylor D. R. 
Published: March 2020

19549 Background: Fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT), a new formulation recently approved by the FDA for opioid-tolerant patients with cancer-related breakthrough pain (BTP), provides rapid-onset analgesia. Neuropathic pain is the primary pain pathophysiology in a significant proportion of patients with chronic cancer pain; therefore, the efficacy and safety of FBT was studied in this subpopulation. Methods: The efficacy and safety of FBT in the treatment of BTP in opioid-tolerant cancer patients with neuropathic pain were evaluated as a sub-analysis of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Of the 45 patients in the sub-analysis (50% male, 86% white, mean age 56 years), 30 identified an effective FBT dose during open-label titration and were randomly assigned to double-blind crossover dose sequences of 10 tablets (7 FBT, 3 placebo). Pain intensity (PI) and pain relief (PR) were recorded at intervals after dosing. The primary efficacy measures were the sum of pain intensity differences (PIDs) for the first 30 (SPID30) and 60 minutes (SPID60); secondary efficacy measures included PIDs, PR, and total pain relief (TOTPAR). Use of supplemental BTP medication and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Results: Combined data (all values mean ±SD) favored FBT vs placebo for SPID30 (3.35±3.11 vs 1.88±2.58) and were significant for SPID60 (9.90±7.19 vs 5.51±6.06; 95% CI, 2.99, 5.81). There was a greater reduction in PI following FBT vs placebo at 10 minutes (PID, 0.55±0.89 vs 0.24±0.48), which continued through observation periods of up to 2 hours (3.43±2.44 vs 1.95±1.99). Higher PR scores were noted following FBT vs placebo at 10 minutes (0.43±0.39 vs 0.21±0.28), which continued for up to 2 hours (1.99±0.72 vs 1.36±0.60). TOTPAR was better following FBT vs placebo at 15 (0.88±0.89 vs 0.48±0.73), 30 (2.42±1.85 vs 1.40±1.65), 45 (4.29±2.90 vs 2.61±2.68), and 60 minutes (6.34±4.02 vs 3.94±3.81). Patients were more than twice as likely to require supplemental opioids for BTP episodes following placebo vs FBT. AEs were typical for opioids; e.g., headache (23%), nausea (18%), dizziness (18%), vomiting (14%), and fatigue (11%). Conclusions: FBT was effective and well tolerated in a subgroup of cancer patients with BTP in association with chronic neuropathic pain. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Increased incidence of non-melanomatous skin cancer in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, an 11-year case-control study
Authors: Schoen M. W. , Gable P. S. , Reese A. M. 
Published: March 2020

19554 Background: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a disease of B lymphocytes that affects immune tolerance and surveillance. Patients with CLL have an increased risk of basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas, which tend to be aggressive. We report the incidence of non-melanomatous (NM) in a >80% Caucasian cohort of patients with CLL and compared them to normal controls who reside in Southern California. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients in the Naval Medical Center San Diego tumor registry with CLL diagnosed between Jan 1, 1995 and Dec 31, 2005. The electronic records of 74 CLL patients and 100 control patients from the internal medicine clinic were assessed for skin biopsies performed at our institution revealing NM skin malignancies. Results: Within our CLL population, the average age at diagnosis was 72.2 years. 34% (25/74) had NM skin cancer with an incidence of 11,457 NM skin cancers per 100,000 person-years. The average number of malignant lesions was 3.7 per patient with one patient receiving 17 biopsies. 27% (7/25) of CLL patients with NM skin cancer had only squamous cell carcinoma and 23% (6/25) had only basal cell carcinoma. 42% (11/25) of patients had both squamous and basal cell cancers and one had a Merkel cell carcinoma. In the control population, the average age at diagnosis was 76.4 years. 16% (16/100) had NM skin malignancies with an incidence of 5,333 NM skin cancers per 100,000 person-years. The average number of malignant lesions was 3.7 per patient with one patient receiving 28 biopsies. 63% (10/16) had basal cell carcinomas, only 25% (4/16) had squamous cell carcinomas and 13% (2/16) had both types of cancer. Conclusions: Patients with CLL are at increased risk of developing NM skin cancers, especially squamous cell carcinomas. Patients with CLL have a 2.1 times higher risk of developing NM skin cancer than our control population, who had an incredibly high rate of skin cancer compared to prior publications. CLL patients should be closely screened for cutaneous malignancies in order to excise them before they cause further morbidity. Increased surveillance is especially prudent for elderly patients with fair skin types who have been exposed to a large amount of UV-light. No significant financial relationships to disclose.