Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Grade Research Articles

The safety and short-term efficacy of selective internal radiation therapy combined with systemic treatment for unresectable malignant hepatic tumors in Chinese patients.

e16247 Background: There are many systemic treatment options for patients with unresectable malignant hepatic tumors. In China, selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 (Y90) resin microspheres was approved until 2022. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the safety and short-term efficacy of SIRT with Y90 resin microspheres followed by systemic treatment in Chinese patients. Methods: The study analyzed patients who received SIRT with Y90 combined with systemic treatment at our center between June 2022 and October 2023. The study's primary endpoint was to determine the objective response rate (ORR), while safety was the secondary endpoint. Response was measured based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria (mRECIST) up to 90 days after the initial therapy. Safety was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5.0. Results: 21 patients wereincluded, of whom 22 times of SIRT were performed. 18 patients had HCC, and 3 had mCRC.The baseline characteristics of the patients are shown in Table. The median age was 54 years (IQR, 48-59 years) and 90.5% of patients were male. According to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, grade 0 and grade 1 were 81% and 19%, respectively, whereas Child-Pugh A represented 90.5% of cases. The proportion of patients with hepatitis B virus infection was 95.2%. Thirteen (61.9%) patients received different treatments before SIRT. The median number of tumors was 2.5 (IQR, 1-4.3), whereas the median diameter of the largest lesion was 100.4 mm (IQR, 68.3-127.7 mm). PVTT was classified as follows: Vp1 (n = 3), Vp2 (n = 2), Vp3 (n = 2) and Vp4 (n = 1). Median AFP was 33.2 ng/mL (IQR, 5.9-401 ng/mL). The median total radiation activity administered was 1.4 GBq (IQR, 0.9-2.7 GBq) and the median target tissue dose was 205 Gy (IQR, 155-242 Gy). Nine (43%) patients were downstaged to surgery. Four (19%) patients had a complete response, fifteen (71.4%) had a partial response and two (9.5%) had a progressive disease. ORR and disease control rate were 90.5% and 90.5%, respectively. None of the patients experienced grade 3 and higher adverse events. The most common treatment-related adverse events were fever and abdominal pain, which required no special treatment. Conclusions: SIRT with Y90 resin microspheres combined with systemic treatment is safe and effective in patients with unresectable malignant hepatic tumors, which resulted in encouraging ORR (90.5%) and a downstaging rate (43%). Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2300077524. [Table: see text]

Validity and responsiveness of EQ-5D-Y in children with haematological malignancies and their caregivers.

The psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-Y have not been widely tested in severely ill children. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the validity and responsiveness of the EQ-5D-Y-3L and EQ-5D-Y-5L in paediatric inpatients with haematological malignancies and caregivers. Respondents completed the interviewer-administered self-complete or proxy version of the EQ-5D-Y-3L and EQ-5D-Y-5L and an overall health assessment twice on different days. Known-groups validity was assessed by comparing patients who differed in overall health and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance. Responsiveness to worsened health was assessed using standardised effect size (SES) for patients with worsened ECOG grade, self-reported rating, or chemotherapy initiation. Ninety-six dyads completed the baseline questionnaires. A smaller proportion of patients reported "no problems" on the EQ-5D-Y-5L compared to EQ-5D-Y-3L for most of the five dimensions. Patients in poor health reported more problems in all dimensions and had higher EQ-5D-Y-5L level sum score, lower EQ VAS and EQ-5D-Y-3L index scores (Cohen's d ES: 0.32-1.38 for patients; 0.50-2.05 for caregivers). There was a mild to good responsiveness to worsened health condition based on ECOG (SES: 0.14-0.61 for patients; 0.40-0.96 for caregivers), suggesting the proxy version was slightly responsive than the self-complete version of both instruments. The results demonstrated validity and responsiveness for both the self-complete and proxy versions of the EQ-5D-Y-3L and EQ-5D-Y-5L. The proxy and 5-level versions of the instrument were more sensitive than the self-complete and 3-level versions in this patient group.

Comparative Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Healthcare Resource Utilization (HRU) in Patients (Pts) with Newly Diagnosed (ND) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Unfit for High-Intensity Chemotherapy Treated with Venetoclax (VEN) Vs Other Therapies: Results from the AML Real World Evidence (ARC) Initiative

Introduction: The BCL-2 inhibitor VEN is approved in combination with hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine for adults with ND AML. The ARC Initiative is a multicenter chart review study of adult pts with AML. This abstract presents real-world clinical outcomes and hospitalizations among ND AML VEN treated pts ineligible for intensive chemotherapy (IC) and their matched controls. Methods: This multicenter chart review study included adult pts (≥18 years) with ND AML who received VEN in combination with HMA on or after April 2016, or non-VEN regimens on or after May 2015, from 15 international academic sites (US: 11; Israel: 4). Pts ineligible for IC (i.e., ≥75 years or ≥1 comorbidity based on the Ferrara criteria) and treated with VEN (VEN cohort) were matched 1:1 to control pts who received non-VEN-based regimens (CON cohort). Pts were matched based on age (<60, 60-74, ≥75 years) and European LeukemiaNet (ELN 2017) risk. All analyses are based on the May 2023 data cutoff; data collection is ongoing. Clinical outcomes include composite complete remission (CRc; i.e., CR, CR with partial hematologic recovery [CRh], or CR with incomplete marrow recovery [CRi]) and overall survival (OS; assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis). Hospitalizations were assessed overall and among pts who achieved CRc. Results were separately reported overall and among the respective subsets of VEN pts matched to CON pts treated with high-intensity regimens (CON-H) or low-intensity regimens (CON-L). Results: A total of 142 IC-ineligible VEN pts and 142 matched CON pts were included in the analysis, including 80 VEN pts matched to CON-H pts (56.3%) and 62 VEN pts matched to CON-L pts (43.7%) ( Table 1). Overall, VEN pts received VEN-azacitidine (75.4%) or VEN-decitabine (24.6%). A total of 68.3% of all pts were classified as ELN adverse risk, and 24.6% of VEN pts and 20.4% of CON pts were classified as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Grade ³2. Among pts with genetic mutations tested (96.5% of VEN pts and 94.4% of CON pts), 22.6% of VEN pts and 14.2% of CON pts had TP53 mutations and 21.9% and 19.4%, respectively, had IDH1/2 mutations. VEN pts had a mean of 11.6 months of follow-up, and CON pts had a mean of 15.0 months of follow-up. VEN pts were significantly more likely to achieve CRc than CON pts (64.7% vs 44.3%, p=0.001). This difference was more pronounced for VEN pts matched to CON-L pts (62.1% vs 18.0%, p<0.001). The 6-month OS rates were not statistically different between VEN pts and matched CON pts (74.7% vs 67.6%; p=0.20), despite the majority of CON pts receiving high-intensity regimens, but improved among VEN pts matched to CON-L pts (73.5% vs 55.3%; p<0.05). VEN pts had fewer days of hospitalization per pt per month (PPPM; mean 6.3 days vs 8.9 days, p=0.045) and shorter mean duration of hospitalization (13.7 days vs 18.2 days, p<0.001) compared with CON pts. A larger difference was seen in the amount of time (days) (6.5 vs 10.5 PPPM, p=0.006) and mean length of hospital stay (13.9 vs 22.4 days, p<0.001) for VEN pts matched to CON-H pts. Among pts with ≥1 all-cause hospitalization, 69.2% of VEN pts and 74.8% of CON pts were hospitalized for treatment administration (p=0.42). Among pts who achieved CRc, VEN pts had fewer days of hospitalization PPPM than CON pts (mean 4.3 days vs 6.8 days, p=0.002). This difference was more pronounced for VEN pts compared to CON-H pts (4.3 days vs 7.7 days, p=0.001). Mean duration of hospitalization was also shorter for VEN vs CON pts (13.6 days vs 20.4 days, p<0.001). Both VEN and CON pts experienced more hospitalizations before CRc was achieved, with statistically fewer hospitalizations for VEN pts compared with CON pts (days of hospitalization PPPM: 10.1 vs 17.4, p=0.001; duration of hospitalization: 16.4 vs 28.2, p<0.001). In the 60 days after CRc was achieved, VEN pts still had fewer days of hospitalization PPPM than CON pts (1.4 vs 5.2, p<0.001). Conclusions: Pts with ND AML who were ineligible for IC and received VEN had significantly higher rates of CRc than matched pts who received non-VEN-based regimens. Although pts treated with VEN-based regimens achieved similar rates of CRc compared to matched control pts treated with high-intensity therapy, pts treated with VEN-based regimens required a significantly lower burden of hospitalizations compared with matched pts on non-VEN-based regimens.

Urologic oncology and critical care: What are prognostic factors that correlate with 6-month mortality in patients (pts) with urological tumors referred to intensive care unit (ICU)?

91 Background: Defining which oncologic pts actually benefit from ICU admission can be a difficult task. There is a lack of data that consistently support indication and benefit with impact on patient survival when this care is offered. The present retrospective study sought to evaluate prognostic factors related to mortality in 6 months after hospital discharge of pts with urological tumors admitted to ICU at the A C Camargo Cancer Center. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of pts with urological cancers (bladder, prostate, kidney, testicular, and other) admitted to ICU in 2017-2018. We collected the following data to identify possible predictors of 6-month mortality: gender, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, type of ICU admission (planned or unplanned), clinical stage at diagnosis (locoregional vs. metastatic). All these variables were included in a logistic regression model with mortality at 6 months as the dependent variable. Results: Assessing the medical record of 677 patients, the pts with ECOG grading >2 presented poorer results compared to the ones 0-2, with an Odds Ratio (OR) 5.10 [Confidence Interval 95% (CI) 2.46-11.69]. The urological tumor type did influence the 6-month mortality, with the best results for pts with testicular tumors: OR 0.27 (CI 0.05-0.99) and the worst ones to bladder tumors with an OR 2.35 (CI 1.44-3.87) when compared to prostate tumors. For metastatic diagnoses, as expected, the mortality results appeared to be worse than for pts with locoregional disease, with an OR 4.06 (CI 2.73-6.07). Finally, pts undergoing unplanned hospitalization at ICU, understanding clinical and surgical ones, presented poorer results compared to the elective ones, with an OR 3.22 (2.16-4.84). Conclusions: In this cohort of pts with urological cancers, 6-month mortality was 39%. Performance status, bladder cancer, metastatic disease and unplanned hospitalizations were all associated with increased mortality.

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with nonsmoking small cell lung cancer in Korea

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with nonsmoking small cell lung cancer (SCLC) using a nationwide registry in Korea.MethodsThe Korean Association for Lung Cancer developed a registry in cooperation with the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and surveyed approximately 10% of recorded lung cancer cases.ResultsFrom 2014 to 2016, the KCCR registered 1,043 patients newly diagnosed with SCLC among a total of 8,110 lung cancer patients. In subgroup analysis, Kaplan meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in the nonsmoking subgroup than the ever-smoking subgroup of SCLC patients with extensive disease (6.99 vs. 9.68 months; P = 0.016). Among SCLC patients with limited disease, OS was also shorter in the nonsmoking subgroup, without statistical significance (19.4 vs. 23.5 months; P = 0.247). In a multivariate analysis using a Cox regression model, never smoking was not associated with shorter OS, but older age, extensive stage, poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade ≥ 2), male sex, no prophylactic cranial irradiation, and no active treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) were associated with poor prognosis.ConclusionThis evaluation of an unbiased nationwide survey dataset revealed that a significant proportion of Korean SCLC patients were never-smokers. No history of smoking appeared to be a significant prognostic factor according to the univariate analysis but was confirmed to be statistically insignificant through a multivariate analysis of the total population. Reasons for a poor prognosis may include the possibility that a high rate of the elderly population is composed of nonsmokers who did not receive active treatment.

Long-term monitoring and predictive factors of critical weight loss among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a curative treatment setting

PurposeWe aimed to determine weight change over time and identify risk factors of critical weight loss among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Materials and methodsIn this retrospective study, we investigated weight change over time in 445 patients with NPC who underwent curative treatment. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible predictors of critical weight loss. ResultsThe incidence of critical weight loss was 67.87%. The long-term monitoring demonstrated a rapid weight loss, especially in the first 2 months of treatment, which continued up to 5 months. Patients with critical weight loss did not regain weight until 3 years. Univariate analysis showed that the following factors were significantly associated with critical weight loss: lower pretreatment body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, subjective global assessment score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and enteral tube feeding. Multivariate analysis showed four factors that were associated with a lower critical weight loss: pretreatment BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25 [0.12–0.52]), early tumor stage (p = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.46 [0.27–0.79]), ECOG grade II (p = 0.006, 95% CI = 0.15 [0.04–0.51]), and early prophylactic percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding (p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.26 [0.12–0.59]). ConclusionPatients having NPC with critical weight loss showed a significantly rapid decline in their weight in the first 2 months; the weight was persistently less than the baseline value during a 36-month follow-up period. Patients with lower BMI, early-stage cancer, and early prophylactic PEG tube feeding had a significantly lower critical weight loss than those without the abovementioned characteristics.

Prenatal stress reduces heterotypical sexual behavior and inhibits homotypical sexual behavior in female rats: relationships with kisspeptin

We aimed to determine weight change over time and identify risk factors of critical weight loss among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).In this retrospective study, we investigated weight change over time in 445 patients with NPC who underwent curative treatment. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify possible predictors of critical weight loss.The incidence of critical weight loss was 67.87%. The long-term monitoring demonstrated a rapid weight loss, especially in the first 2 months of treatment, which continued up to 5 months. Patients with critical weight loss did not regain weight until 3 years. Univariate analysis showed that the following factors were significantly associated with critical weight loss: lower pretreatment body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, subjective global assessment score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and enteral tube feeding. Multivariate analysis showed four factors that were associated with a lower critical weight loss: pretreatment BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25 [0.12–0.52]), early tumor stage (p = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.46 [0.27–0.79]), ECOG grade II (p = 0.006, 95% CI = 0.15 [0.04–0.51]), and early prophylactic percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding (p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.26 [0.12–0.59]).Patients having NPC with critical weight loss showed a significantly rapid decline in their weight in the first 2 months; the weight was persistently less than the baseline value during a 36-month follow-up period. Patients with lower BMI, early-stage cancer, and early prophylactic PEG tube feeding had a significantly lower critical weight loss than those without the abovementioned characteristics.

Impact of staffing model conversion from a mandatory critical care consultation model to a closed unit model in the medical intensive care unit.

The intensive care unit (ICU) staffing model affects clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. However, the benefits of a closed unit model have not been extensively compared to those of a mandatory critical care consultation model. This retrospective before-after study included patients admitted to the medical ICU. Anthropometric data, admission reason, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade, survival status, length of stay (LOS) in the ICU, duration of mechanical ventilator care, and occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were recorded. The staffing model of the medical ICU was changed from a mandatory critical care consultation model to a closed unit model in September 2017, and indices before and after the conversion were compared. A total of 1,526 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age was 64.5 years, and 954 (62.5%) patients were men. The mean LOS in the ICU among survivors was shorter in the closed unit model than in the mandatory critical care consultation model by multiple regression analysis (5.5 vs. 6.7 days; p = 0.005). Central venous catheter insertion (38.5% vs. 51.9%; p < 0.001) and VAP (3.5% vs. 8.6%; p < 0.001) were less frequent in the closed unit model group than in the mandatory critical care consultation model group. After adjusting for confounders, the closed unit model group had decreased ICU mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.65; p < 0.001) and shortened LOS in the ICU compared to the mandatory critical care consultation model group. The closed unit model was superior to the mandatory critical care consultation model in terms of ICU mortality and LOS among ICU survivors.

Efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival inpatients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer. Methods: We retrospectively included138 patients who were given trastuzumab-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment and analyzed the relationship between clinical response rates and maintenance treatment status and survival outcomes. Results: In the whole group, the median progression-free survivaland overall survivalwere 10.2 and 16months, respectively. Clinical response was obtained in 79% of patients. The median overall survival was 16.9months in follow-up group and 19.0months in the maintenance group in patients with clinical response. Continuation of maintenance trastuzumab created a significant survival advantage (p=0.021). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.02), grade 3 (HR: 1.78) and more than four metastatic lesions (HR: 1.67) were determined as risk factors for death. Conclusion: We recommend the continuation of maintenance trastuzumab in patients with clinical response, but those with identified risk factors may not benefit from treatment because life expectancy may be low.

Functional performance status and risk of cardiovascular events and mortality following endovascular repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic pathology.

To characterize the association of preoperative functional performance status based on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scoring with the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, vascular events, and mortality in patients undergoing EVAR and TEVAR. Retrospective review of the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative, a large, multi-center, registry database was performed. All individuals undergoing EVAR (n = 18,730) and TEVAR (n = 6595) for non-ruptured aortic pathologies between 2014 and 2018 were eligible for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of pre-procedure ECOG functional performance status on risk of in-hospital adverse cardiovascular events, vascular events, and mortality. The number of operations complicated by adverse cardiovascular and vascular events was 480 (2.6%) and 190 (1.0%) for EVAR and 733 (11.1%) and 219 (3.3%) for TEVAR, respectively. There were 118 (0.6%) and 240 (3.6%) in-hospital deaths following EVAR and TEVAR, respectively. Patients with ECOG grades 3 or 4 undergoing EVAR were at increased risk of cardiovascular events (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.09, 2.41) and one-year mortality (HR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.92, 3.57) compared to those with ECOG grade 0. Patients undergoing TEVAR with ECOG grade 3 or 4 were at increased risk for both inpatient death (OR = 2.77; 95% CI = 1.56, 4.9) and one-year mortality (HR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.06, 5.21). ECOG status was not associated with an increased risk of adverse vascular events following either EVAR or TEVAR. Poor preoperative functional status as assessed by ECOG score is associated with an increased risk of adverse postoperative cardiovascular events following EVAR and a higher mortality risk following both EVAR and TEVAR. Functional status assessment may be useful for risk stratification and determining procedural candidacy prior to EVAR and TEVAR.

Meta-analysis examining overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with second-line 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin-based therapy after failing first-line gemcitabine-containing therapy: effect of performance status and comparison with other regimens

BackgroundPancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and few choices of therapy. For patients with adequate performance status, FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are preferred first-line treatment. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)–based therapy (e.g. FOLFIRI, OFF, or FOLFOX) are often used in patients who previously received gemcitabine-based regimens. A systematic review was conducted of the safety and efficacy of FOLFOX for metastatic pancreatic cancer following prior gemcitabine-based therapy. A Bayesian fixed-effect meta-analysis with adjustment of patient performance status (PS) was conducted to evaluate overall survival (OS) and compare outcomes with nanoliposomal irinotecan combination therapy.MethodsPubMed.gov, FDA.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov, congress abstracts, Cochrane.org library, and EMBASE database searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials of advanced/metastatic disease, prior gemcitabine-based therapy, and second-line treatment with 5-FU and oxaliplatin. The database search dates were January 1, 1990–June 30, 2019. Endpoints were OS and severe treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Trial-level PS scores were standardized by converting Karnofsky grade scores to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Grade, and overall study-weighted PS was calculated based on weighted average of all patients.ResultsOf 282 studies identified, 11 randomized controlled trials (N = 454) were included in the meta-analysis. Baseline weighted PS scores predicted OS in 10 of the 11 studies, and calculated PS scores of 1.0 were associated with a median OS of 6.3 months (95% posterior interval, 5.4–7.4). After adjusting for baseline PS, FOLFOX had a similar treatment effect profile (median OS, range 2.6–6.7 months) as 5-FU/leucovorin plus nanoliposomal irinotecan therapy (median OS, 6.1 months; 95% confidence interval 4.8–8.9). Neutropenia and fatigue were the most commonly reported Grade 3–4 TRAEs associated with FOLFOX.ConclusionsBaseline PS is a strong prognostic factor when interpreting the efficacy of 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based therapy of pancreatic cancer after progression on first-line gemcitabine-based regimens. When baseline PS is considered, FOLFOX has a similar treatment effect as 5-FU and nanoliposomal irinotecan therapy and a comparable safety profile. These findings suggest that 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based therapies remain an acceptable and alternative second-line treatment option for patients with pancreatic cancer and adequate PS (e.g. ECOG 0–1) following gemcitabine treatment.

Clinical outcomes and survivals after total en bloc spondylectomy for metastatic leiomyosarcoma in the spine

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is generally resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. Our study aimed to examine the outcomes of total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for spinal metastatic LMS and to analyze potential factors associated with survival. This study included 10 consecutive patients who underwent TES for spinal metastatic LMS at our institute between 2005 and 2016 and were followed up at a minimum of 3years after surgery. At the time of TES, all the 10 patients had solitary bone metastases in the spine. Seven patients had a lowered performance status (PS) with an eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) grade of 2 or 3 due to back pain or neurological symptoms. The cancer-specific survival (CSS) time from TES to death or last follow-up was the main endpoint. Potential factors associated with survival were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Five patients underwent a single vertebral resection, and the other five patients underwent two or three consecutive vertebral resections. Three patients developed perioperative complications including pulmonary thromboembolism and pneumothorax. Nine patients improved or fairly maintained their PS with an ECOG grade of 1. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year CSS rates after TES were 90%, 70%, and 47%, respectively. Only postoperative disability (ECOG PS grade 3) was significantly associated with short-term survival after TES. The clinical outcomes of 10 patients who underwent TES for spinal metastatic LMS were favorable without severe complications. Postoperative disability was significantly associated with short-term survival after TES.

Feasibility of performance-based functional assessment in brain tumour survivors.

Rehabilitation and exercise interventions are beneficial for the physical and psychological health of cancer survivors. Current clinic-based performance status measures do not accurately capture the survivor's functioning, or rehabilitation and exercise needs.Our primary objective was to explore the feasibility of performing a performance-based functional assessment with brain tumour survivors as a means to inform needs for rehabilitation and exercise. A feasibility study was conducted with survivors of brain and other neurological cancers attending new patient or follow-up clinics. Survivors were assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), grip strength and Rosow-Breslau Physical Activity Self-Assessment (RSB). We approached 40 survivors with brain tumours, and 30 agreed to participate in the study. The SPPB was inversely correlated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores (r=-.73; p<.01), but scores on the SPPB for individuals classified as ECOG 1 ranged from 5 to 12 out of 12, indicating a large variability in functional scores within this ECOG grade. Implementation of objective functional testing is feasible in the neuro-oncology outpatient clinic. The SPPB appears to best inform the functional status of survivors with brain tumours, facilitating more individualised exercise and rehabilitation referrals.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), Where do we stand? Current situation.

Objective:To identify the stage of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) at the time of presentation.Methods:This cross sectional observational prospective study was carried out at Gastro Department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Multan from August 2017 to December 2018. Patients were diagnosed on the basis of alpha fetoprotein, abdominal ultrasound, triphasic contrast enhanced computerized tomography (CECT). They were evaluated for etiology including Hepatitis B, C and non B & C. The patients were inquired about the previous treatment and when they came to know about the HCC. Staging of the tumor was done on the basis BCLC (Barcelona cancer liver clinic) and Melan’s criteria. Performance status (PS) of the patient was checked by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) criteria. Severity of cirrhosis was assessed by CTP (Child Turcotte Pugh) and Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score. The data was analyzed in IBM SPSS version 22.Results:Out of 135 patients 78% were males and 22% females. Age Mean SD was 58.81± 9.366. Frequency of hepatitis C, B, combined B, C and non-B non-C was 80%, 11%, 2.8% and 6.2% respectively. 96(73.8%) never got the treatment before for Hepatitis. 81(62.3%) came to know first time on this index admission. Maximum numbers of patients were in BCLC stage B i.e. 82(55.2%) with ECOG grade of one i.e.57 (39.3%), at the time of presentation. Mean MELD and CTP score were 12.24, 7.34 (class B) respectively.Conclusion:HCV was the most common in HCC, never treated before, presented for the first time in advance stage of the disease where very limited treatment options left behind.

Predictors of Indwelling Pleural Catheter Removal and Infection: A Single-center Experience With 336 Procedures.

Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) offer ambulatory management of symptomatic persistent pleural effusions, but their widespread use is somewhat hampered by the risk of pleural infection and the inconvenience of carrying a catheter for a prolonged period of time. Factors associated with these 2 limitations were analyzed in this study. Retrospective review of consecutive patients who had undergone IPC placement over a 5 ½-year period. Time to IPC removal was analyzed with the Fine and Gray competing risks survival model, with competing risk being death. A binary logistic regression method was used to evaluate factors influencing IPC-related pleural infections. A total of 336 IPCs were placed in 308 patients, mostly because of malignant effusions (83%). IPC removal secondary to pleurodesis was achieved in 170 (51%) procedures at a median time of 52 days. Higher rates of IPC removal were associated with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade of 0 to 2 [subhazard ratio (SHR)=2.22], an expandable lung (SHR=1.93), and development of a multiseptated pleural space (SHR=1.37). IPC-related pleural infections occurred in 8% of the cases, and were more often seen in hepatic hydrothoraces [odds ratio (OR)=4.75] and pleural fluids with a C-reactive protein <15 mg/L before the IPC insertion (OR=4.42). IPC removal is more likely to occur in patients with good performance status whose lungs fully expand after drainage. Hepatic hydrothorax is the most significant predictor of IPC-related infections.

Impact of pulmonary function on pulmonary complications after robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Percentage-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and their predicted postoperative (ppo) values are established prognostic factors for postoperative pulmonary complications after thoracotomy. However, their predictive value for minimally invasive pulmonary resections remains controversial. This study assessed the incidence of pulmonary complications after robotic lobectomy for primary lung cancer and analysed the predictive significance of FEV1 and DLCO. This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent robotic lobectomy from 4 institutions. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed for patients who experienced pulmonary complications versus patients who did not, in relation to FEV1 and DLCO values. To identify thresholds for increased complications, patients were categorized into groups of 10% incremental increases in FEV1 and DLCO, and their ppo values. From November 2002 to April 2018, 1088 patients underwent robotic lobectomy. Overall, 169 postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 141 patients. Male gender and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade ≥1 were associated with increased pulmonary complications on univariable analysis. Patients who experienced pulmonary complications had increased mortality (2.1% vs 0.2%, P = 0.017) and longer hospitalizations (9 vs 4 days, P < 0.001). Pulmonary complications were associated when FEV1 ≤60% and DLCO ≤50%, and when ppo FEV1 or DLCO was ≤50%; ppo FEV1 ≤50% (P < 0.001) and ppo DLCO ≤50% (P = 0.031) remained statistically significant on multivariable analysis. Both FEV1 and DLCO were shown to be significant predictors of pulmonary complications. Furthermore, thresholds of percentage-predicted and ppo FEV1 and DLCO values were identified, below which pulmonary complications occurred significantly more frequently, suggesting their predictive values are particularly useful in patients with poorer pulmonary function.

Treatment and Prevention of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis in Frail Patients: Tailored Management.

Advanced age is one of the major determinants of frailty in patients with cancer-associated thrombosis. However, multiple other factors contribute to frailty in these patients. The identification of frailty in patients with cancer-associated thrombosis is critical as it influences the complexity of the anticoagulant treatment in this population at high risk of venous thromboembolism and bleeding. Factors that contribute to frailty in patients with cancer-associated thrombosis include age, type of cancer, comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, poly-pharmacotherapy, treatment compliance, cognitive impairment, anemia, thrombocytopenia, mobility, nutritional status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade, risk of falls, and reduced life expectancy. In the absence of specific clinical studies current anticoagulant treatment guidelines for the management are not fully applicable to frail patients with cancer. The anticoagulant treatment should therefore benefit from a tailored approach based on an algorithm that takes into account the specificities of the malignant disease.

Factors related to patient propensity to receive adjuvant chemotherapy and outcomes in stage III gastric cancer cases after D2 surgery

Radical gastrectomy and extended lymph node (D2) dissection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the optimal treatment for patients with stage III gastric cancer in Asian population. The clinical factors associated with patient propensity to receive adjuvant chemotherapy and outcomes were analyzed. In total, 509 patients with stage III gastric cancer who had undergone D2 surgery between 2007 and 2017at a single medical center in Taiwan were analyzed. The patients' preoperative clinical characteristics relevant to adjuvant chemotherapy adherence were analyzed using multivariate regression. Significant variables were analyzed using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) for identifying specific patient groups with the lowest and highest probabilities of adjuvant chemotherapy adherence. After surgery, 361 (70.9%) patients in the cohort had received adjuvant chemotherapy. All patients were categorized into five probability groups with adherence to adjuvant chemotherapy according to age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status grade, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, which were discovered to be independent factors in the RPA-based probability prediction. In general, adjuvant chemotherapy improved survival across broad categories of stage III gastric cancer patients (overall survival hazard ratio: 0.53-0.75 and disease-free survival hazard ratio: 0.47-0.76). Our study identified that age, ECOG grade, and ASA class were independent clinical factors associated with patient propensity to receive adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III gastric cancer. Knowledge of the clinical factors of patients may help clinicians identify and encourage specific patients to receive the adjuvant chemotherapy.

Fan Therapy Is Effective in Relieving Dyspnea in Patients With Terminally Ill Cancer: A Parallel-Arm, Randomized Controlled Trial

ContextDyspnea is a common distressing symptom among patients with advanced cancer. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of fan therapy on dyspnea in patients with terminally ill cancer. MethodsThis parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial included 40 patients with advanced cancer from a palliative care unit at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan. All patients experienced dyspnea at rest with a score of at least three points on a subjective 0- to 10-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), showed peripheral oxygen saturation levels of ≥90%, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade of 3 or 4, and were aged 20 years or more. In one group, a fan was directed to blow air on the patient's face for five minutes. This group was compared to a control group wherein air was blown to the patient's legs. Patients were randomly assigned to each group. The main outcome measure was the difference in dyspnea NRS scores between fan-to-face and fan-to-legs groups. ResultsNo significant differences were seen in baseline dyspnea NRS between groups (mean score, 5.3 vs. 5.1, P = 0.665). Mean dyspnea changed by −1.35 points (95% CI, −1.86 to −0.84) in patients assigned to receive fan-to-face and by −0.1 points (−0.53 to 0.33) in patients assigned to receive fan-to-legs (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with a one-point reduction in dyspnea NRS was significantly higher in the fan-to-face arm than in the fan-to-legs arm (80% [n = 16] vs. 25% [n = 5], P = 0.001). ConclusionFan-to-face is effective in alleviating dyspnea in patients with terminally ill cancer.

The Adverse Survival Implications of Bland Thrombus in Renal Cell Carcinoma With Venous Tumor Thrombus

To characterize the presence of bland (nontumor) thrombus in advanced renal cell carcinoma and assess the impact of this finding on cancer-specific survival. A multi-institutional database of patients treated with nephrectomy with caval thrombectomy for locally-advanced renal tumors was assembled from 5 tertiary care medical centers. Using clinicopathologic variables including patient age, body mass index, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, tumor stage, grade, nodal status and histology, and nearest-neighbor and multiple-matching propensity score matched cohorts of bland thrombus vs nonbland thrombus patients were assessed. Multivariable analysis for predictors of cancer-specific survival was performed. From an initial cohort of 579 patients, 446 met inclusion criteria (174 with bland thrombus, 272 without). At baseline, patients with bland thrombus had significantly worse performance status, higher tumor stage, higher prevalence of regional nodal metastases and higher nuclear grade (P < .01 for all). In both nearest-neighbor and multiple-matching propensity score matched cohorts, the presence of bland thrombus presence was associated with inferior median cancer-specific survival (28.1 months vs 156.8 months, and 28.1 months vs 76.7 months, P < .001 for both). The presence of bland thrombus remained independently associated with an increased risk of cancer-specific mortality on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio 4.33, 95% confidence interval 2.79-6.73, P < .001). Presence of bland thrombus is associated with adverse survival outcomes in patients treated surgically for renal tumors with venous tumor thrombus. These findings may have important implications in patient counseling, selection for surgery and inclusion in clinical trials.