bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The frequency and predictors of end-of-life symptom in patients with advanced cancer.
Authors: Hiramoto Shuji , Kikuchi Ayako , Taniyama Tomohiko , Tetsuo Hori , Yoshioka Akira , Kirishima Toshihiko 
Published: June 2021

e24061 Background: Advanced cancer patients complain of highly distressing symptom at the end-of-life, and important reasons for palliative intervention to relive symptoms. Methods: We analyzed 1282 patients who died of advanced cancer from August 2011 to August 2019 retrospectively. We divided into patients who complain of symptom include fatigue, dyspnea, nausea and vomiting, and cancer pain, or didn’t for 3 days prior to death, and analyzed predictors by multiple logistics method. The primary endpoint of this study was to identify frequency and predictors of end-of-life symptoms in advanced cancer patients. Results: As a background, the median age is 73 years old, 690 males, 592 females, 227 gastroesophageal cancers, 250 biliary pancreatic cancers, 54 hepatocellular carcinomas, 189 colorectal cancer, 251 lung cancers, 71 breast cancers, 58 urological malignancies, 60 gynecological malignancies, 47 head and neck cancer, 31 hematological malignancies, and 22 sarcomas. Number of patients who complained of dyspnea, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and cancer pain were 235 (18.3%), 318 (24.8%), 81 (6.3%), and 322 (25.1%) at the end-of-life. In a multivariate analysis, peritoneal metastasis (ORs 1.812), with mental (ORs 0.549), palliative referral (ORs 0.680), Eastern Cancer Organization Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) (OR0.679) and consciousness level (ORs 0.610) was independent predictors in patients with fatigue at the end-of-life. Chest cancer (Odds Ratio 2.635), lung (ORs 2.159), brain (ORs 0.431) and peritoneal metastasis (ORs 0.602), with mental (ORs 0.429), respiratory (ORs 1.960) and metabolic disorder (ORs 0.520), palliative referral (ORs 0.645) and consciousness level (ORs 0.468) was independent predictors in patients with dyspnea. Lung metastasis (ORs 0.480, peritoneal metastasis (ORs 1.812), with anti-cancer therapy (OR 2.244) and consciousness level (ORs 0.610) was independent predictors in patients with nausea and vomiting. Brain metastasis (ORs 0.435, liver metastasis (ORs 1.374), and consciousness level (ORs 0.599) was independent predictors in patients with cancer pain. Conclusions: We reported frequency and independent predictors of end-of-life symptoms in advanced cancer patients. Information on these predictors be useful to explaining about their end-of-life in advance.
Effect of paracentesis on the survival of patients with terminal cancer and ascites: A propensity score-weighted analysis of the EASED study.
Authors: Masuda Ken , Ishiki Hiroto , Yokomichi Naosuke , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Ito Tetsuya , Takatsu Hana , Amano Koji , Hiramoto Shuji , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Kawaguchi Takashi , Mori Masanori , Matsuda Yosuke , Yamaguchi Takashi 
Published: June 2021

e24063 Background: Malignant ascites (MA) is associated with progressive deterioration in quality of life and poor prognosis of patients with cancer. Paracentesis is among the most widely utilised treatments for MA. However, reports on the usefulness of paracentesis in patients with MA are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether paracentesis affects the duration of survival in such patients. Methods: We performed a post - hoc analysis of a prospective multicentre observational study that investigated the dying process and end-of-life care in patients with terminal cancer, who were admitted to 23 palliative care units in Japan. Survival duration was compared between patients who did (paracentesis group) and did not undergo paracentesis (non-paracentesis group). We used the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method to control for baseline covariates between the two groups. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of the paracentesis and non-paracentesis groups according to some of the baseline covariates, including age, sex, Karnofsky Performance Status, primary tumor site, liver dysfunction, and renal dysfunction. Results: Among the 1,896 patients, who were initially enrolled, 568 with ascites were included in the study cohort. Eighty-five (15.0%) patients underwent paracentesis. The most common primary tumour site was the gastrointestinal tract (51.9%, n = 295), followed by the pancreas (22.7%, n = 129). The non-adjusted median durations of survival were 22 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16–25) and 12 days (95% CI: 11–13) in the paracentesis and non-paracentesis groups, respectively (HR: 0.69, [95% CI: 0.54–0.88]; p = 0.003). The IPTW-adjusted median durations of survival were 22 days (95% CI: 16–25) and 16 days (95% CI: 12–22) in the paracentesis and non-paracentesis groups, respectively (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.64–1.24; p = 0.492). There were no serious adverse events in the paracentesis group. According to the baseline covariates, a weighted subgroup analysis was performed to compare the survival of patients in the non-paracentesis and paracentesis groups. There was no significant heterogeneity across all subgroups. Paracentesis was not associated with a significant survival risk in any of the subgroups. Conclusions: Paracentesis does not negatively affect the survival of patients with cancer and MA; hence, it can be used as a standard treatment in palliative care settings.
Differential impact of inpatient and outpatient palliative care on end-of-life outcomes in hospitalized patients with cancer.
Authors: Urman Arielle R. , Buss Mary K. , Besaw Robert J. , Lee Kathleen A. , Yeh Jonathan C. 
Published: June 2021

e24069 Background: Palliative care (PC) improves outcomes for patients with advanced cancer, and current ASCO guidelines recommend early outpatient referral. However, recent data show that PC teams at many cancer centers see more inpatient consults than outpatient visits; the comparative impact of inpatient versus outpatient PC is not well-described. For this reason, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized cancer patients to quantify exposure to inpatient/outpatient PC, and to describe associations between PC exposure and end-of-life (EOL) quality measures including hospice utilization, advance care planning (ACP), and intensity of care. Methods: We identified all patients admitted to one cancer center’s inpatient oncology unit during a fiscal year (10/1/2017 - 9/30/2018). Demographics, admission statistics, inpatient/outpatient PC visits, and EOL outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Deceased patients were identified through chart review and public obituaries. Results were summarized by descriptive statistics, and standard statistical tests were used to evaluate associations between PC exposure and EOL outcomes. Results: 842 patients were hospitalized in one year. 522 patients died by the study end-date of 10/1/2020 and were included in analysis. 50% of deceased patients had any PC exposure prior to death, but only 21% had an outpatient PC visit. Patients seen by PC were younger at time of death (median: 67 vs 72 years; p < .001) and more likely to be female (52% vs 42%; p = .03). Compared to patients never seen by PC, patients with any PC exposure were significantly more likely to enroll in hospice (78% vs 44%; p < .0001), have do-not-resuscitate status (87% vs 55%; p < .0001), have scanned ACP documents (53% vs 31%; p < .0001), and die at home or inpatient hospice instead of in the hospital (67% vs 40%; p < .01). PC exposure was not associated with differences in 30-day re-admissions, systemic cancer therapy in the last 14 days of life, or intensive care (ICU) utilization in the last 30 days of life. Notably, PC exposure was associated with longer hospital length-of-stay (LOS) (8.4 vs 7.0 days), but this association was reversed for patients seen by outpatient PC versus all others (6.3 vs 8.3 days; p < .01). Patients seen by outpatient PC also had longer hospice LOS (46.5 vs 27.1 days; p < .01) and less EOL ICU use (6% vs 15%; p < .05) compared to all others. Conclusions: In this large retrospective study of hospitalized cancer patients, PC exposure was associated with significant improvements in multiple EOL quality measures. The subset of patients seen by outpatient PC experienced additional benefits, including shorter hospital LOS, longer hospice LOS, and less EOL ICU utilization. These findings point to differential effects between inpatient and outpatient PC, underscoring the importance of early, longitudinal PC involvement.
Benefits of blood transfusions in palliative care patients with advanced cancer.
Authors: Marinho Joana Catarina Lima , Marote Sara , Silva Maria Cândida , Gonçalves Jose Ferraz 
Published: June 2021

e24090 Background: Anemia is highly prevalent in patients with advanced cancer and adversely affects quality of life. There is limited data on the frequency, clinical utility and effectiveness of red blood cell transfusions (RBC), and no randomized controlled trials or clinical practice guidelines on this subject are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinician practices on RBC transfusion in an oncologic palliative care unit (PCU), its impact on patients’ symptoms, overall survival and to identify predictive factors for survival. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of all advanced cancer patients who had received RBC transfusions over a 3-year period, after admission to the PCU for symptomatic control, as inpatients or outpatients. All had histologically confirmed malignant tumors and were not under anti-cancer treatments. Patients’demographics, clinical and laboratory features, symptoms and mortality were reviewed. Survival analysis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox's regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: We identified 179 patients with a median age of 68 years [30-93], 60% were male, with a mean Charlson comorbidity index of 8.9 (SD ±2.3). The majority had gastrointestinal (42%) and genitourinary (35%) malignancies. A total of 435 RBC units, during 301 transfusion episodes were recorded. The majority (58%) were performed as inpatients. A combination of symptoms with low haemoglobin (Hb) levels was the main reason for transfusion (80%). Asthenia/fatigue was the most frequent symptom (68%). Prior to transfusion, the majority (73%) had an ECOG-performance status (ECOG-PS) greater than 2. The mean pretransfusion Hb was 6.9 g/dL and 48% patients had an Hb above 7 g/dL. Symptomatic benefit post-transfusion was achieved in 36% of patients. A statistically significant association between ECOG-PS and symptomatic benefit was found (p = 0.005). Median overall survival post-transfusion was 41 days (IC95% 30.6-51.4). On multivariate analysis, Hb level pre-transfusion, ECOG-PS and symptomatic benefit with transfusions were significantly associated with survival. Conclusions: Transfusion practices are more liberal in palliative care, increasing iatrogenic risk, while consuming a valuable and limited resource. However, transfusion does provide symptom relief, and should be offered to advanced cancer patients with a higher level of functioning. Post-transfusion symptomatic benefit, and pre-transfusion ECOG-PS and hemoglobin levels seem to be independent predictors of survival. Further high-quality trials are needed to develop validated measures of objective functional changes to evaluate the clinical impact of transfusions and to identify patients most likely to be positively impacted by transfusion.
Immune-related acute myocarditis in patients treated with immune checkpoints inhibitors: Systematic review with individual patient-level data meta-analysis.
Authors: Rumyantsev Alexey , Israelyan Edgar , Tyulyandina Alexandra , Glazkova Elena , Sergeev Yury , Tjulandin Sergey 
Published: June 2021

e24096 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors can sometimes lead to fatal outcomes or significant morbidity due to immune-related adverse events (IRAE). Cardiac IRAE, especially myocarditis, are among the most fatal IRAE. There are scarce of the trials addressing the optimal therapeutic approaches for patients with IR-myocarditis. Initial therapy with high-dose steroids (1000 mg of prednisolone for 3-5 days) may be beneficial for many patients with this IRAE and this approach is endorsed by NCCN guidelines. We conducted a systematic review with individual patient-level data meta-analysis of published clinical cases to assess impact of various initial therapeutic modalities and adherence to NCCN guidelines on outcomes of immune-related myocarditis, associated with checkpoint inhibitors. Methods: We searched PubMed database for all full-text articles and abstracts on the treatment of patients with cardiac-related IRAE treated with various PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 inhibitors for years between 2012 and 2020 in English. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) tool was used to ensure transparent reporting. Main study inclusion criteria were: 1) morphologically confirmed immune-related myocarditis or highly clinically suspected autoimmune myocarditis (based on Bonaca et al, 2019 criteria); 2) clear association of IRAE and administration of check-point inhibitors; 3) availability of individual patient and treatment data. Pooled analysis of outcomes and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted. The primary outcome of this study was rate of major cardiac adverse events (MACE) due to immune-related autoimmune myocarditis according to adherence to NCCN guidelines. MACE was defined as death or persisting significant disabilities due to myocarditis (ie, chronic heart failure, rhythm abnormalities or deterioration leading to impossibility of further anticancer treatment). Results: We identified 277 articles and screened them for title and abstract. After the review process we selected 81 studies for further analysis which described treatment course for 111 patients. Overall, 26 and 85 patients were treated with high-dose and non-high dose steroids. Among patients treated high-dose steroids therapy and non-high dose steroids 10 (38.5%) and 57 (67.1%) of patients respectively experienced MACE (HR 0.185; 95% CI 0.07-0.47; p = 0.0091). Initial treatment failure was associated with high rate of morbidity; however, 9 patients were rescued with various immunosuppressive drugs (eg, tacrolimus, alemtuzumab, tocilizumab). Conclusions: Our results support use of high-dose pulse therapy as a preferred therapeutic approach for all patients with suspected or proven immune-related myocarditis.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy as palliative management for incurable thoracic malignancies.
Authors: Ahn Grace S. , Bruggeman Andrew , Qiao Edmund M. , Murphy James Don , Sandhu Ajay 
Published: June 2021

e24097 Background: Radiation therapy plays an important role in symptom palliation for patients with incurable cancer. Currently limited data exists regarding the role of SBRT vs conformal radiation for the palliation of symptoms due to malignancy. We report the symptom management and local control of palliative SBRT for incurable thoracic malignancies at a single institution. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who underwent palliative SBRT between Jan 1st, 2009 and March 26th, 2019. Patients all had thoracic tumors that were not candidates for curative radiation due to age, stage, comorbidity, and/or prior treatment. We identified courses with total doses between 25-50 Gy (median 40) and total fractions between 3-10 (median 5). Symptoms such as cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, and shortness of breath were assessed at time of consult and first follow-up between 1-6 months post treatment. We also reviewed follow-up CT imaging to evaluate for local control using RECIST criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate patients’ clinicopathologic data and symptom palliation. Local control was analyzed via Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 76 patients who completed palliative SBRT to 92 total lung lesions, 45 patients reported symptoms at consult and completed 50 courses of radiation to 55 lesions. Within this symptomatic cohort, average age was 71 (range, 42-93), 32 were female (58%), and most were stage IV (n = 42, 76%). Most lesions treated were non-small cell lung cancer (n = 34, 62%) while the most common primary site of metastatic lesions was colorectal (n = 6, 11%). Additional primary sites included breast, renal, sarcoma, and others (n = 15, 27%). Of the 53 lesions treated with follow-up within 6 months, 21 (40%) showed relief of at least 1 symptom and 31 (58%) showed stable symptoms. Only 1 patient (2%) showed symptom progression. All patients with hemoptysis at presentation achieved hemostasis following SBRT. Among 48 treated lesions with follow-up CT imaging, 1 (2%) showed complete response, 28 (58%) showed partial response (PR), 15 (31%) showed stable disease (SD), and 4 (8%) showed progressive disease. With further follow-up (median 23 months), 30 of the 53 lesions with initial PR or SD demonstrated local control until death. Conclusions: There is conflicting literature regarding the ideal palliative radiation dose for thoracic tumors. SBRT has the advantage of allowing a higher biologic dose without protracted treatment courses in the setting of palliation of symptoms. Our symptomatic cohort showed good symptom palliation and long-term local control of treated lesions. Prospective studies are required to further confirm the role of palliative SBRT for symptomatic thoracic tumors.
Patterns of knowledge and use of medical cannabis among Brazilian oncologists and palliative care physicians.
Authors: Freitas Júlia Maria Mathias Pedreira de , Almeida Daniela Oliveira de , Landeiro Luciana Castro G. , Reis Tércia Vilasboas , Carmo Thomas Azevedo de , Mathias Clarissa 
Published: June 2021

e24099 Background: Medical cannabis (MC) emerged as an important complementary therapy in the context of oncological diseases. In 2019, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved use of MC, which can be produced in the country and sold in pharmacies under medical prescription. Previous investigations have extensively correlated MC effectiveness, over management and support of symptoms caused by the disease and/ or its treatment. However, studies evaluating knowledge and patterns of MC use in oncology patients MC are lacking. In the present study, we assessed the perception of oncologists and palliative care physicians on MC as a complementary therapy for cancer patients, and their personal experiences in clinical practice in Brazil. Methods: In October 2020 an online survey was sent via e-mail by the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Academy of Palliative Care for physicians with expertise in oncology and/or palliative care. Outcomes measured included knowledge and opinions about MC, prescription experience and impressions about the Brazilian legislation. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics, comparison tests and the Poisson regression model with robust variance, using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 25. Results: A total of 124 physician participated in the study and, of those, 58.1% were oncologists, and 82.3% believed that MC has application as a complementary therapy in cancer. In contrast, only 52.4% of the participants felt comfortable recommending its use and only 15.3% have ever prescribed MC for their patients with cancer. Further, among those who have never prescribed, 71% have already referred patients to other professionals to prescribe, and 61% indicated lack of knowledge as the main factor for not prescribing. In addition, more than half of participants claimed not knowing Brazilian legislation regarding MC use. Nausea and vomiting were mentioned by 73.4% of physicians as the major indication for MC. Conclusions: Oncologists and palliative care physicians agree with the applicability of MC use for the management of symptoms related with or caused by cancer. However, our findings infer that factors such as lack of knowledge, legislation barriers and lack of robust scientific evidence, lead to its limited use among Brazilian oncologists and palliative care physicians.
Evaluating the user-perceived benefit of a virtual lung cancer patient education and support community: LVNG With Lung Cancer.
Authors: Martin Mona L. , Bucklen Kristin , Hall Lise J. , Sandy Beth , Wonser Dann , de Renne Genevieve 
Published: June 2021

e24102 Background: The accessibility and quality of network support for people living with lung cancer (PLW) and their support partners (SP) can vary. Virtual platforms provide a unique opportunity for PLW/SP peer support and disease education; the challenge is to measure impact. Methods: Our aim was to determine user-perceived benefit of the Facebook based virtual community LVNG With Lung Cancer ( https://www.facebook.com/LVNGWithLungCancerUS ). Qualitative interviews were conducted with community members aged ≥18 yrs and living with lung cancer or actively supporting someone who had lung cancer. Also, inbound community comments (Dec 2015–Oct 2016) were retrospectively analyzed and grouped by similarity of content. Results: 18 PLW and 2 SP were interviewed (N = 20, saturation of concept met within the first 10). Mean yrs since diagnosis was 2.75 (range 0.08–17). Of the total expressions of benefit (n = 513) made during the interviews, 32% focused on increased health knowledge, with most participants calling out cancer information, good health behaviors, and coping strategies as key community benefits. Social impacts of the community accounted for 28% of benefit expressions; having a forum to share experiences and having a supportive environment were most frequently cited. An additional 18% of benefit expressions revealed that the community gives members feelings of empowerment, including feeling less alone (55% of respondents) and feeling inspired to help others (40% of respondents). Benefits received from community membership led to behavioral change in many respondents: 55% asked their doctor more questions, 50% shared helpful experiences with other members, and 35% took a more active role in their healthcare. In a notable example, an SP member said the community provided her with the knowledge she needed to address her symptoms and fears with her doctor, who was hesitant to biopsy because she did not meet typical risk criteria. Her self-advocacy was successful and ultimately led to an early lung cancer diagnosis. Results from the retrospective analysis of actual postings (n = 24,336; all unique users during evaluation period: n = 12,187) reflected the themes patients offered during interviews as important reasons to participate: 63% of postings were asking for or sharing cancer information, 98% provided emotional support and/or understanding, and 84% were inspirational/optimistic. Conclusions: This dual approach of assessing real-world impact of a virtual Facebook community provided insight into the benefit that members derive and highlighted the integral role of support groups in patient-centric care. Importantly, once members’ emotional and educational needs were met, they were empowered and/or inspired to take positive actions leading to better health behaviors and increased quality of life – an outcome that may have wider applicability for diseases beyond lung cancer.