Literature encloses numerous systematic reviews (SRs) on nonpharmacologic interventions for improving cancer-related fatigue (CRF). The effect of these interventions remains controversial, and the available SRs have not been synthesized yet. We conducted a systematic synthesis of SRs and meta-analysis to determine the effect of nonpharmacologic interventions on CRF in adults.
Material and methods
We systematically searched 4 databases. The effect sizes (standard mean difference) were quantitatively pooled using a random-effects model. Chi-squared (Q) and I-square statistics (I²) tested the heterogeneity.
Results
We selected 28 SRs, including 35 eligible meta-analyses. The pooled effect size (standard mean difference, 95% CI) was -0.67 (-1.16, -0.18). The subgroup analysis by types of interventions showed a significant effect in all the investigated approaches (complementary integrative medicine, physical exercise, self-management/e-health interventions).
Conclusions
There is evidence that nonpharmacologic interventions are associated with CRF reduction. Future research should focus on testing these interventions on specific population clusters and trajectories.
{"title":"Non-pharmacologic interventions for improving cancer-related fatigue (CRF): A systematic review of systematic reviews and pooled meta-analysis","authors":"Silvia Belloni , Cristina Arrigoni , Irene Baroni , Gianluca Conte , Federica Dellafiore , Greta Ghizzardi , Arianna Magon , Giulia Villa , Rosario Caruso","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Literature encloses numerous systematic reviews (SRs) on nonpharmacologic interventions for improving cancer-related fatigue (CRF). The effect of these interventions remains controversial, and the available SRs have not been synthesized yet. We conducted a systematic synthesis of SRs and meta-analysis to determine the effect of nonpharmacologic interventions on CRF in adults.</p></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><p>We systematically searched 4 databases. The effect sizes (standard mean difference) were quantitatively pooled using a random-effects model. Chi-squared (Q) and I-square statistics (I²) tested the heterogeneity.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We selected 28 SRs, including 35 eligible meta-analyses. The pooled effect size (standard mean difference, 95% CI) was -0.67 (-1.16, -0.18). The subgroup analysis by types of interventions showed a significant effect in all the investigated approaches (complementary integrative medicine, physical exercise, self-management/e-health interventions).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>There is evidence that nonpharmacologic interventions are associated with CRF reduction. Future research should focus on testing these interventions on specific population clusters and trajectories.</p></div><div><h3>Prospero registration</h3><p>CRD42020194258.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"50 1","pages":"Pages 49-59"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10032746","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.007
Chimaobi Anugwom , Grace Braimoh , Amir Sultan , Willie Mohammed Johnson , Jose D. Debes , Abdulsemed Mohammed
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with high rates of late diagnosis and increased mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, there is an alarming uptrend in the incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) across the globe, thus necessitating the need for early screening in general and special populations. There is, however, limited data available on the incidence and genetic characteristics of EOCRC from resource-poor countries, particularly Africa. Moreover, there is lack of clarity if recommendations and mechanisms proposed based on data from resource-rich countries applies to other regions of the world. In this review, we appraise the literature on EOCRC, its overall incidence, and genetic components as it pertains to sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, we highlight epidemiologic and epigenetic findings of our EOCRC cohort in Ethiopia.
{"title":"Epidemiology and genetics of early onset colorectal cancer—African overview with a focus on Ethiopia","authors":"Chimaobi Anugwom , Grace Braimoh , Amir Sultan , Willie Mohammed Johnson , Jose D. Debes , Abdulsemed Mohammed","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.007","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with high rates of late diagnosis and increased mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, there is an alarming uptrend in the incidence of early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) across the globe, thus necessitating the need for early screening in general and special populations. There is, however, limited data available on the incidence and genetic characteristics of EOCRC from resource-poor countries, particularly Africa. Moreover, there is lack of clarity if recommendations and mechanisms proposed based on data from resource-rich countries applies to other regions of the world. In this review, we appraise the literature on EOCRC, its overall incidence, and genetic components as it pertains to sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, we highlight epidemiologic and epigenetic findings of our EOCRC cohort in Ethiopia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"50 1","pages":"Pages 28-33"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9713694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.002
Rabbia Tariq , Irtebaat Fatima, Muhammad H. Shahid, Samiuddin Tariq, Faizan Niaz, Syed M. Hussain
Pakistan, where chronic myeloid leukemia constitutes around 80% of all myeloproliferative disorders, has been exploring multiple avenues in order to ensure the accessibility and affordability of imatinib and nilotinib. While most provinces of the country have joined hands with a pharmaceutical company to dispense free anti-CML medicines as part of a public-private partnership, the patients are still facing numerous challenges in the form of geographical disparity in the availability of these medicines, other out-of-pocket expenditures and most importantly, the uncertainty associated with the long-term continuation of this public-private endeavor due to procedural delays. In light of these predicaments, channeling resources towards research and development, fostering partnerships between government and NGOs and tapping into the domain of compulsory licensing appear to be the most sustainable solutions.
{"title":"Battling chronic myeloid leukemia in a resource-constrained country: A case of public-private partnerships","authors":"Rabbia Tariq , Irtebaat Fatima, Muhammad H. Shahid, Samiuddin Tariq, Faizan Niaz, Syed M. Hussain","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Pakistan, where chronic myeloid leukemia constitutes around 80% of all myeloproliferative disorders, has been exploring multiple avenues in order to ensure the accessibility and affordability of imatinib and nilotinib. While most provinces of the country have joined hands with a pharmaceutical company to dispense free anti-CML medicines as part of a public-private partnership, the patients are still facing numerous challenges in the form of geographical disparity in the availability of these medicines, other out-of-pocket expenditures and most importantly, the uncertainty associated with the long-term continuation of this public-private endeavor due to procedural delays. In light of these predicaments, channeling resources towards research and development, fostering partnerships between government and NGOs and tapping into the domain of compulsory licensing appear to be the most sustainable solutions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"50 1","pages":"Pages 25-27"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10033235","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-02-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.04.001
Tito Fojo MD, PhD
{"title":"The flaws in assessing and reporting the toxicities of oral targeted therapies","authors":"Tito Fojo MD, PhD","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.04.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"50 1","pages":"Pages 1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50185078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.007
Irene Persano , Elena Parlagreco , Anna La Salvia , Marco Audisio , Marco Volante , Consuelo Buttigliero , Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti , Maria Pia Brizzi
The simultaneous or metachronous occurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (panNET) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may represent a rare coincidence or a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). These two malignancies share both radiological and cytopathological features, making the differential diagnosis very challenging. In this review, we collected all cases of concurrent diagnosis of localized panNET and RCC, with or without VHL, as reported in the literature to date. We aimed to provide an insight into the differential diagnosis between panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis with a focus on the optimal therapeutic algorithm depending on the diagnosis. We performed literature research in PubMed library databases for articles about coexisting panNET and RCC published from 2001 to 2018. We selected nine articles with a total of 13 patients, including one treated at our institution. Patients' median age was 49 years and eight out of 13 patients were women. VHL was diagnosed in nine cases. Most patients underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC (9/13) and a clear cell renal carcinoma variant was identified in six cases. The diagnosis of panNET was synchronous with RCC detection in nine cases and metachronous in four cases. The diameter of the pancreatic lesion was >2 cm in six cases. In two cases the panNET was misdiagnosed as metastatic RCC by radiological tests. Somatostatin receptor scanning was performed only in our patient (Octreoscan) showing intense uptake in the pancreatic mass. Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic lesion was performed in four patients: in two cases the panNET was confused with metastatic RCC by cytological analysis. Most patients underwent pancreatic surgery (10/13) without histological confirmation. Clear cell panNET was recognized in six cases, while mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm was diagnosed in one patient. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed positivity to typical neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) in all reported tested cases (8/8). Three patients underwent systemic treatment: two patients received sunitinib and one patient interleukin-2 (IL-2). Other neoplasms were observed in seven patients, of whom six were affected by VHL syndrome. When neoplastic lesions are recognized in both the kidney and pancreas, panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis are often misdiagnosed due to similar radiological and cytopathological features. An accurate differential diagnosis is crucial and IHC plays a central role in distinguishing the two entities. The therapeutic algorithm may change depending on the diagnosis: while pancreatic RCC metastases benefit from resection, in panNETs and VHL the indication for surgery must be carefully evaluated.
{"title":"Synchronous or metachronous presentation of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor versus secondary lesion to pancreas in patients affected by renal cell carcinoma. Systematic review","authors":"Irene Persano , Elena Parlagreco , Anna La Salvia , Marco Audisio , Marco Volante , Consuelo Buttigliero , Giorgio Vittorio Scagliotti , Maria Pia Brizzi","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.007","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The simultaneous or metachronous occurrence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (panNET) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may represent a rare coincidence or a manifestation of von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). These two malignancies share both radiological and cytopathological features, making the differential diagnosis very challenging. In this review, we collected all cases of concurrent diagnosis of localized panNET and RCC, with or without VHL, as reported in the literature to date. We aimed to provide an insight into the differential diagnosis between panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis with a focus on the optimal therapeutic algorithm depending on the diagnosis. We performed literature research in PubMed library databases for articles about coexisting panNET and RCC published from 2001 to 2018. We selected nine articles with a total of 13 patients, including one treated at our institution. Patients' median age was 49 years and eight out of 13 patients were women. VHL was diagnosed in nine cases. Most patients underwent radical nephrectomy for RCC (9/13) and a clear cell renal carcinoma variant was identified in six cases. The diagnosis of panNET was synchronous with RCC detection in nine cases and metachronous in four cases. The diameter of the pancreatic lesion was >2 cm in six cases. In two cases the panNET was misdiagnosed as metastatic RCC by radiological tests. Somatostatin receptor scanning was performed only in our patient (Octreoscan) showing intense uptake in the pancreatic mass. Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration of the pancreatic lesion was performed in four patients: in two cases the panNET was confused with metastatic RCC by cytological analysis. Most patients underwent pancreatic surgery (10/13) without histological confirmation. Clear cell panNET was recognized in six cases, while mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasm was diagnosed in one patient. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed positivity to typical neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A and synaptophysin) in all reported tested cases (8/8). Three patients underwent systemic treatment: two patients received sunitinib and one patient interleukin-2 (IL-2). Other neoplasms were observed in seven patients, of whom six were affected by VHL syndrome. When neoplastic lesions are recognized in both the kidney and pancreas, panNET and RCC pancreatic metastasis are often misdiagnosed due to similar radiological and cytopathological features. An accurate differential diagnosis is crucial and IHC plays a central role in distinguishing the two entities. The therapeutic algorithm may change depending on the diagnosis: while pancreatic RCC metastases benefit from resection, in panNETs and VHL the indication for surgery must be carefully evaluated.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Pages 476-481"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10330030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.11.001
Stefano Testa , Jyoti Kumar , Alex J. Goodell , James L. Zehnder , Kevin M. Alexander , Surbhi Sidana , Sally Arai , Ronald M. Witteles , Michaela Liedtke
Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is common both in healthy individuals and patients with hematological cancers. Recent studies have showed worse prognosis for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing stem cell transplant, that have concomitant presence of CHIP. Data regarding the clinical and biological role of CHIP in plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) is rapidly increasing. However, the prevalence and prognostic implication of CHIP in patients with MM outside of the transplant setting, and in those with other more indolent PCDs remains elusive. Here we explored the prevalence and clinical implications of CHIP detected through next-generation sequencing in 209 patients with PCDs including MM, light chain (AL) amyloidosis (ALA), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). To avoid attributing the mutations to the plasma cell clone, CHIP was defined as the presence of DNMT3A, TET2, or ASXL1 mutations in the peripheral blood or bone marrow (DTA-CH). The prevalence of DTA-CH was 19% in patients with PCDs, with no difference between each PCD. TET2 (23%) and DNMT3A (22%), were the most frequently mutated genes. DTA-CH correlated with older age in MM (P = .001) and MGUS/SMM (P = 0.0007), as well as with coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure in MM (P = .03). DTA-CH did not predict worse OS or PFS in either MM or ALA, nor it predict higher risk of progression to MM in patients with MGUS/SMM. Our results overall further elucidate the prevalence and mutational spectrum of CHIP in PCDs, providing more information regarding the clinical relevance of CHIP in this patient population.
{"title":"Prevalence, mutational spectrum and clinical implications of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in plasma cell dyscrasias","authors":"Stefano Testa , Jyoti Kumar , Alex J. Goodell , James L. Zehnder , Kevin M. Alexander , Surbhi Sidana , Sally Arai , Ronald M. Witteles , Michaela Liedtke","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is common both in healthy individuals and patients with hematological cancers. Recent studies have showed worse prognosis for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing stem cell transplant, that have concomitant presence of CHIP. Data regarding the clinical and biological role of CHIP in plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) is rapidly increasing. However, the prevalence and prognostic implication of CHIP in patients with MM outside of the transplant setting, and in those with other more indolent PCDs remains elusive. Here we explored the prevalence and clinical implications of CHIP detected through next-generation sequencing in 209 patients with PCDs including MM, light chain (AL) amyloidosis (ALA), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). To avoid attributing the mutations to the plasma cell clone, CHIP was defined as the presence of <em>DNMT3A, TET2,</em> or <em>ASXL1</em> mutations in the peripheral blood or bone marrow (DTA-CH). The prevalence of DTA-CH was 19% in patients with PCDs, with no difference between each PCD. <em>TET2</em> (23%) and <em>DNMT3A</em> (22%), were the most frequently mutated genes. DTA-CH correlated with older age in MM (<em>P</em> = .001) and MGUS/SMM (<em>P</em> = 0.0007), as well as with coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure in MM (<em>P</em> = .03). DTA-CH did not predict worse OS or PFS in either MM or ALA, nor it predict higher risk of progression to MM in patients with MGUS/SMM. Our results overall further elucidate the prevalence and mutational spectrum of CHIP in PCDs, providing more information regarding the clinical relevance of CHIP in this patient population.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Pages 465-475"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9531576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a pharmacological class of drugs widely used in oncology in both supportive and palliative settings. GCs differentially impact organs with immediate and long-term effects; with suppressive effect on the immune system anchoring their use to manage the toxicities of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
In addition, GCs are often used in the management of symptoms related to cancer or chemotherapy and as adjuvants in the treatment of pain in the management of other. In the palliative setting, GCs, especially administered subcutaneously can be to assist in the control of nausea, dyspnea, asthenia, and anorexia-cachexia syndrome.
In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the role of GCs in the different settings (curative, supportive, and palliative) to help clinicians use these important drugs in their daily clinical practice with cancer patients.
{"title":"A narrative review of the principal glucocorticoids employed in cancer","authors":"Nerina Denaro , Ornella Garrone , Annamaria Morelli , Benedetta Pellegrino , Marco Carlo Merlano , Denise Vacca , Josie Pearce , Daniele Farci , Antonino Musolino , Mario Scartozzi , Chiara Tommasi , Cinzia Solinas","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.004","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Glucocorticoids<span> (GCs) are a pharmacological class of drugs<span> widely used in oncology<span> in both supportive and palliative settings. GCs differentially impact organs with immediate and long-term effects; with suppressive effect on the immune system anchoring their use to manage the toxicities of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).</span></span></span></p><p>In addition, GCs are often used in the management of symptoms related to cancer or chemotherapy and as adjuvants in the treatment of pain in the management of other. In the palliative setting, GCs, especially administered subcutaneously can be to assist in the control of nausea, dyspnea, asthenia, and anorexia-cachexia syndrome.</p><p>In this narrative review, we aim to summarize the role of GCs in the different settings (curative, supportive, and palliative) to help clinicians use these important drugs in their daily clinical practice with cancer patients.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Pages 429-438"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9164038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.008
Natasha A. Roberts , Elizabeth Ahern , Anita Pelecanos , Harry Gasper , Bryan Chan , Zarnie Lwin
Introduction
The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in necessary and rapid changes to health service delivery. In the Australian context, it has been broadly identified that these impacts have been felt by health care workers (HCW) providing care. We aimed to capture oncology HCW perceptions of support, stress, personal ability to meet needs and institutional preparedness across longitudinal periods of COVID-19 response in the early stages of the pandemic.
Methods and materials
An electronic survey was developed to measure the weekly impacts and distress experienced by HCW during the early phases of the pandemic. Hospital email communications relating to pandemic directives were noted. HCW included nursing, medical, ancillary staff and allied health team members at 2 study sites, 1 metropolitan and 1 regional center in Queensland, Australia. Descriptive statistics were applied to quantitative data, and a framework analysis for qualitative data. Key themes were synthesized using mixed methods approaches.
Results
A total of 176 HCW consented to participate. Four key themes were identified. Key theme 1 was strategies for protection, and included the subthemes of self-isolation, using personal protective equipment (PPE), protecting patients and families and each other. Key theme 2 was navigating rules and keeping up, and included the subthemes of compliance, exceptions, conflict and complex decision fatigue. Key theme 3 was tempered optimism, with subthemes including this is grief, pride in one's place and strategies for coping. Key theme 4 was framing the new normal, with subthemes including using technology, second wave and uncertainty.
Conclusion
Staff groups reported the emotional impacts of rapid change across clinical areas and centers. Distress corresponded to rapid change amid uncertainty, rather than reported infection rates. These findings give insight into the experiences of patient facing oncology HCW during periods of uncertainty, potentially informing policy in the future.
{"title":"From doctors to ancillary staff: Regional and metropolitan cancer workforce perceptions and distress resulting from COVID-19 pandemic adaptations","authors":"Natasha A. Roberts , Elizabeth Ahern , Anita Pelecanos , Harry Gasper , Bryan Chan , Zarnie Lwin","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in necessary and rapid changes to health service delivery. In the Australian context, it has been broadly identified that these impacts have been felt by health care workers (HCW) providing care. We aimed to capture oncology HCW perceptions of support, stress, personal ability to meet needs and institutional preparedness across longitudinal periods of COVID-19 response in the early stages of the pandemic.</p></div><div><h3>Methods and materials</h3><p>An electronic survey was developed to measure the weekly impacts and distress experienced by HCW during the early phases of the pandemic. Hospital email communications relating to pandemic directives were noted. HCW included nursing, medical, ancillary staff and allied health team members at 2 study sites, 1 metropolitan and 1 regional center in Queensland, Australia. Descriptive statistics were applied to quantitative data, and a framework analysis for qualitative data. Key themes were synthesized using mixed methods approaches.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>A total of 176 HCW consented to participate. Four key themes were identified. Key theme 1 was <em>strategies for protection</em>, and included the subthemes of <em>self-isolation, using personal protective equipment (PPE), protecting patients</em> and <em>families and each other</em>. Key theme 2 was <em>navigating rules and keeping up</em>, and included the subthemes of <em>compliance, exceptions, conflict</em> and <em>complex decision fatigue</em>. Key theme 3 was <em>tempered optimism</em>, with subthemes including <em>this is grief, pride in one's place</em> and <em>strategies for coping</em>. Key theme 4 was <em>framing the new normal</em>, with subthemes including <em>using technology, second wave</em> and <em>uncertainty.</em></p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Staff groups reported the emotional impacts of rapid change across clinical areas and centers. Distress corresponded to rapid change amid uncertainty, rather than reported infection rates. These findings give insight into the experiences of patient facing oncology HCW during periods of uncertainty, potentially informing policy in the future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Pages 490-496"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9886723/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9164695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-01DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.006
David Smith , Micaela Raices , Federico Cayol , Franco Corvatta , Lucas Caram , Agustín Dietrich
Inflammation plays a key role in malignant tumor progression. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation and, as such, high isolated pretreatment NLR has been shown in some studies to be associated with worse long-term outcomes. We summarize the data regarding the utility of NLR as a prognosis factor and present results of a single institution study assessing the usefulness of high preoperative NLR as a prognosis factor for patients with successfully resected NSCLC who receive adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. While largely supportive of the value of NLR as a prognostic factor, the literature is not consistent and suggest a more nuanced association. Our single institution study adds to the exiting literature. We conclude preoperative NLR can be used as a reliable, cost-effective biomarker to estimate prognosis in NSCLC patients who have undergone lung lobectomy with curative intent followed by cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy.
{"title":"Is the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio a prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy?","authors":"David Smith , Micaela Raices , Federico Cayol , Franco Corvatta , Lucas Caram , Agustín Dietrich","doi":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1053/j.seminoncol.2023.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Inflammation plays a key role in malignant tumor progression. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of systemic inflammation and, as such, high isolated pretreatment NLR has been shown in some studies to be associated with worse long-term outcomes. We summarize the data regarding the utility of NLR as a prognosis factor and present results of a single institution study assessing the usefulness of high preoperative NLR as a prognosis factor for patients with successfully resected NSCLC who receive adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. While largely supportive of the value of NLR as a prognostic factor, the literature is not consistent and suggest a more nuanced association. Our single institution study adds to the exiting literature. We conclude preoperative NLR can be used as a reliable, cost-effective biomarker to estimate prognosis in NSCLC patients who have undergone lung lobectomy with curative intent followed by cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"49 6","pages":"Pages 482-489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0093775423000076/pdfft?md5=1609e339834c18ae2c822c868135553f&pid=1-s2.0-S0093775423000076-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9516537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}