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Culture-broker and medical decoder: contributions of caregivers in American Indian cancer trajectories
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Omission of dexamethasone from antiemetic treatment for highly emetogenic chemotherapy in breast cancer patients with hepatitis B infection or diabetes mellitus
Patients and methods During August 2009 and September 2007, we reviewed the medical records of patients with breast cancer who were HBV carriers or had been diagnosed with DM. 97 patients were treated with anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide- containing regimens with omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment because of their HBV or DM status.
Results The number of patients treated with Gra only, Apr and Gra, Apr and Pal, were 29, 29, and 39, respectively. Complete response (CR) in the acute phase (0-<24 hours after chemotherapy) or delayed phase (24-120 hours after chemotherapy) for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 44.8% and 44.8%, 72.4% and 72.4%, and 76.9% and 74.4%, respectively. Complete control (CC) in the acute or delayed phase in each regimen for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 31.0% and 27.6%, 48.2% and 51.7%, and 46.2% and 46.2%, respectively. Apr-Gra or Apr-Pal tended to be superior to Gra only in CR and CC in both the acute and delayed phases. HBV reactivation or aggravation of DM control was not observed in any of the 3 therapy options. CR and CC were about 20% higher for the dexamethasone-containing regimen than for the non-dexamethasone regimen in both the acute and delayed phases.
Conclusion Omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment is tolerable when anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy is administered to patients with breast cancer who have comorbidities of being HBV carriers or of DM.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Patients and methods During August 2009 and September 2007, we reviewed the medical records of patients with breast cancer who were HBV carriers or had been diagnosed with DM. 97 patients were treated with anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide- containing regimens with omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment because of their HBV or DM status.
Results The number of patients treated with Gra only, Apr and Gra, Apr and Pal, were 29, 29, and 39, respectively. Complete response (CR) in the acute phase (0-<24 hours after chemotherapy) or delayed phase (24-120 hours after chemotherapy) for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 44.8% and 44.8%, 72.4% and 72.4%, and 76.9% and 74.4%, respectively. Complete control (CC) in the acute or delayed phase in each regimen for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 31.0% and 27.6%, 48.2% and 51.7%, and 46.2% and 46.2%, respectively. Apr-Gra or Apr-Pal tended to be superior to Gra only in CR and CC in both the acute and delayed phases. HBV reactivation or aggravation of DM control was not observed in any of the 3 therapy options. CR and CC were about 20% higher for the dexamethasone-containing regimen than for the non-dexamethasone regimen in both the acute and delayed phases.
Conclusion Omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment is tolerable when anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy is administered to patients with breast cancer who have comorbidities of being HBV carriers or of DM.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Patients and methods During August 2009 and September 2007, we reviewed the medical records of patients with breast cancer who were HBV carriers or had been diagnosed with DM. 97 patients were treated with anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide- containing regimens with omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment because of their HBV or DM status.
Results The number of patients treated with Gra only, Apr and Gra, Apr and Pal, were 29, 29, and 39, respectively. Complete response (CR) in the acute phase (0-<24 hours after chemotherapy) or delayed phase (24-120 hours after chemotherapy) for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 44.8% and 44.8%, 72.4% and 72.4%, and 76.9% and 74.4%, respectively. Complete control (CC) in the acute or delayed phase in each regimen for Gra only, Apr-Gra, and Apr-Pal was 31.0% and 27.6%, 48.2% and 51.7%, and 46.2% and 46.2%, respectively. Apr-Gra or Apr-Pal tended to be superior to Gra only in CR and CC in both the acute and delayed phases. HBV reactivation or aggravation of DM control was not observed in any of the 3 therapy options. CR and CC were about 20% higher for the dexamethasone-containing regimen than for the non-dexamethasone regimen in both the acute and delayed phases.
Conclusion Omission of dexamethasone in antiemetic treatment is tolerable when anthracycline- and cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy is administered to patients with breast cancer who have comorbidities of being HBV carriers or of DM.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Effects of exercise interventions during different treatments in breast cancer
Previous findings suggest that exercise is a safe and efficacious means of improving physiological and psychosocial outcomes in female breast cancer survivors. To date, most research has focused on post-treatment interventions. However, given that the type and severity of treatment-related adverse effects may be dependent on the type of treatment, and that the effects are substantially more pronounced during treatment, an assessment of the safety and efficacy of exercise during treatment is warranted. In this review, we present and evaluate the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted during breast cancer treatment. We conducted literature searches to identify studies examining exercise interventions in breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Data were extracted on physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Previous findings suggest that exercise is a safe and efficacious means of improving physiological and psychosocial outcomes in female breast cancer survivors. To date, most research has focused on post-treatment interventions. However, given that the type and severity of treatment-related adverse effects may be dependent on the type of treatment, and that the effects are substantially more pronounced during treatment, an assessment of the safety and efficacy of exercise during treatment is warranted. In this review, we present and evaluate the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted during breast cancer treatment. We conducted literature searches to identify studies examining exercise interventions in breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Data were extracted on physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Previous findings suggest that exercise is a safe and efficacious means of improving physiological and psychosocial outcomes in female breast cancer survivors. To date, most research has focused on post-treatment interventions. However, given that the type and severity of treatment-related adverse effects may be dependent on the type of treatment, and that the effects are substantially more pronounced during treatment, an assessment of the safety and efficacy of exercise during treatment is warranted. In this review, we present and evaluate the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted during breast cancer treatment. We conducted literature searches to identify studies examining exercise interventions in breast cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Data were extracted on physiological and psychosocial outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Materials help families find support for children with serious illnesses
Materials to support the families of children with serious illnesses have been developed by the National Institute of Nursing Research, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. The materials are associated with the NINR’s “Palliative Care: Conversations Matter” campaign.
“Palliative care is often associated with end of life, making it difficult for patients and their families – and even for healthcare providers – to start conversations around the subject. However, palliative care can be incredibly helpful for patients and their families at any stage during an illness. We hope these materials will improve patient and family understanding of pediatric palliative care and facilitate discussion with healthcare teams,” NINR Director Patricia A. Grady said in a written statement.
The resources, which include a fact sheet, a resource card to help families find support, and a series of family stories, are available in both Spanish and English. The NINR developed these materials with feedback from parents of seriously ill children. To learn more, click here
Materials to support the families of children with serious illnesses have been developed by the National Institute of Nursing Research, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. The materials are associated with the NINR’s “Palliative Care: Conversations Matter” campaign.
“Palliative care is often associated with end of life, making it difficult for patients and their families – and even for healthcare providers – to start conversations around the subject. However, palliative care can be incredibly helpful for patients and their families at any stage during an illness. We hope these materials will improve patient and family understanding of pediatric palliative care and facilitate discussion with healthcare teams,” NINR Director Patricia A. Grady said in a written statement.
The resources, which include a fact sheet, a resource card to help families find support, and a series of family stories, are available in both Spanish and English. The NINR developed these materials with feedback from parents of seriously ill children. To learn more, click here
Materials to support the families of children with serious illnesses have been developed by the National Institute of Nursing Research, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. The materials are associated with the NINR’s “Palliative Care: Conversations Matter” campaign.
“Palliative care is often associated with end of life, making it difficult for patients and their families – and even for healthcare providers – to start conversations around the subject. However, palliative care can be incredibly helpful for patients and their families at any stage during an illness. We hope these materials will improve patient and family understanding of pediatric palliative care and facilitate discussion with healthcare teams,” NINR Director Patricia A. Grady said in a written statement.
The resources, which include a fact sheet, a resource card to help families find support, and a series of family stories, are available in both Spanish and English. The NINR developed these materials with feedback from parents of seriously ill children. To learn more, click here
Exercise linked to fewer cardiovascular events in nonmetastatic breast cancer patients
More rigorous and/or more frequent exercise was associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular events in women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, regardless of age and type of anticancer therapy received, investigators reported.
“CVD [Cardiovascular disease] is now the leading cause of death among women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, especially for those older than 65 years of age and with preexisting CVD risk factors (eg., hypertension, obesity, history of cardiovascular disease) at diagnosis. Moreover, patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer may be at increased risk of CVD, compared with age-matched women without a history of breast cancer because of the direct toxic effects of anticancer therapy,” wrote Dr. Lee Jones of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 23. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.6603).
To see whether exercise reduces risk, investigators gave the Arizona Activity Frequency Questionnaire to 2,973 women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer who were participating in two cohort studies. Frequency, duration, and type of exercise were standardized into metabolic equivalent tasks (MET), which were quartiled into the following categories: less than or equal to 2 h/wk, 2.1-10.3 h/wk, 10.4-24.5 h/wk, and greater than 24.6 h/wk. Cardiovascular events, defined as coronary artery disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, valve abnormality, arrhythmia, stroke or cardiovascular disease–related death, were monitored via electronic medical records.
Median follow-up time was 8.6 years. In age-adjusted analysis, the risk of cardiovascular events declined across increasing quartiles of total MET h/wk (1.00, 0.83, 0.72, 0.57, respectively, P less than .001).
Adherence to national exercise guidelines for adult patients (MET score equal to or greater than 9) was associated with a significant 23% reduction in cardiovascular events. Patients who met the national exercise guidelines had a significant reduction in cardiovascular events regardless of age, menopausal status, type of anticancer therapy, or cardiovascular risk factors at cancer diagnosis when compared with patients who not did meet the national exercise guidelines.
“Irrespective of therapy-induced risk, CVD will remain a leading cause of mortality in early-stage breast cancer given continual improvements in cancer-specific mortality together with the rapidly aging population. Thus, our finding that the cardioprotective effects of exercise are comparable in middle-aged women irrespective of exposure to anticancer therapies is novel and important. … Nevertheless, at present, at least in the United States, exercise treatment is not considered an aspect of first-line therapy for the adverse CV consequences of breast cancer adjuvant therapy, similar to that for the primary or secondary prevention of CVD. As such, confirmatory data from randomized trials are urgently required,” the investigators wrote.
This study was supported by a National Institute of Health Award and research grants from the National Cancer Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One investigator reported having stock or ownership interests in Exercise by Science. Two investigators reported serving in advisory roles or receiving financial compensation from various companies. The other investigators reported having no disclosures.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
More rigorous and/or more frequent exercise was associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular events in women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, regardless of age and type of anticancer therapy received, investigators reported.
“CVD [Cardiovascular disease] is now the leading cause of death among women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, especially for those older than 65 years of age and with preexisting CVD risk factors (eg., hypertension, obesity, history of cardiovascular disease) at diagnosis. Moreover, patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer may be at increased risk of CVD, compared with age-matched women without a history of breast cancer because of the direct toxic effects of anticancer therapy,” wrote Dr. Lee Jones of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 23. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.6603).
To see whether exercise reduces risk, investigators gave the Arizona Activity Frequency Questionnaire to 2,973 women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer who were participating in two cohort studies. Frequency, duration, and type of exercise were standardized into metabolic equivalent tasks (MET), which were quartiled into the following categories: less than or equal to 2 h/wk, 2.1-10.3 h/wk, 10.4-24.5 h/wk, and greater than 24.6 h/wk. Cardiovascular events, defined as coronary artery disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, valve abnormality, arrhythmia, stroke or cardiovascular disease–related death, were monitored via electronic medical records.
Median follow-up time was 8.6 years. In age-adjusted analysis, the risk of cardiovascular events declined across increasing quartiles of total MET h/wk (1.00, 0.83, 0.72, 0.57, respectively, P less than .001).
Adherence to national exercise guidelines for adult patients (MET score equal to or greater than 9) was associated with a significant 23% reduction in cardiovascular events. Patients who met the national exercise guidelines had a significant reduction in cardiovascular events regardless of age, menopausal status, type of anticancer therapy, or cardiovascular risk factors at cancer diagnosis when compared with patients who not did meet the national exercise guidelines.
“Irrespective of therapy-induced risk, CVD will remain a leading cause of mortality in early-stage breast cancer given continual improvements in cancer-specific mortality together with the rapidly aging population. Thus, our finding that the cardioprotective effects of exercise are comparable in middle-aged women irrespective of exposure to anticancer therapies is novel and important. … Nevertheless, at present, at least in the United States, exercise treatment is not considered an aspect of first-line therapy for the adverse CV consequences of breast cancer adjuvant therapy, similar to that for the primary or secondary prevention of CVD. As such, confirmatory data from randomized trials are urgently required,” the investigators wrote.
This study was supported by a National Institute of Health Award and research grants from the National Cancer Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One investigator reported having stock or ownership interests in Exercise by Science. Two investigators reported serving in advisory roles or receiving financial compensation from various companies. The other investigators reported having no disclosures.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
More rigorous and/or more frequent exercise was associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular events in women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, regardless of age and type of anticancer therapy received, investigators reported.
“CVD [Cardiovascular disease] is now the leading cause of death among women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, especially for those older than 65 years of age and with preexisting CVD risk factors (eg., hypertension, obesity, history of cardiovascular disease) at diagnosis. Moreover, patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer may be at increased risk of CVD, compared with age-matched women without a history of breast cancer because of the direct toxic effects of anticancer therapy,” wrote Dr. Lee Jones of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, and associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 23. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.6603).
To see whether exercise reduces risk, investigators gave the Arizona Activity Frequency Questionnaire to 2,973 women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer who were participating in two cohort studies. Frequency, duration, and type of exercise were standardized into metabolic equivalent tasks (MET), which were quartiled into the following categories: less than or equal to 2 h/wk, 2.1-10.3 h/wk, 10.4-24.5 h/wk, and greater than 24.6 h/wk. Cardiovascular events, defined as coronary artery disease, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, valve abnormality, arrhythmia, stroke or cardiovascular disease–related death, were monitored via electronic medical records.
Median follow-up time was 8.6 years. In age-adjusted analysis, the risk of cardiovascular events declined across increasing quartiles of total MET h/wk (1.00, 0.83, 0.72, 0.57, respectively, P less than .001).
Adherence to national exercise guidelines for adult patients (MET score equal to or greater than 9) was associated with a significant 23% reduction in cardiovascular events. Patients who met the national exercise guidelines had a significant reduction in cardiovascular events regardless of age, menopausal status, type of anticancer therapy, or cardiovascular risk factors at cancer diagnosis when compared with patients who not did meet the national exercise guidelines.
“Irrespective of therapy-induced risk, CVD will remain a leading cause of mortality in early-stage breast cancer given continual improvements in cancer-specific mortality together with the rapidly aging population. Thus, our finding that the cardioprotective effects of exercise are comparable in middle-aged women irrespective of exposure to anticancer therapies is novel and important. … Nevertheless, at present, at least in the United States, exercise treatment is not considered an aspect of first-line therapy for the adverse CV consequences of breast cancer adjuvant therapy, similar to that for the primary or secondary prevention of CVD. As such, confirmatory data from randomized trials are urgently required,” the investigators wrote.
This study was supported by a National Institute of Health Award and research grants from the National Cancer Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One investigator reported having stock or ownership interests in Exercise by Science. Two investigators reported serving in advisory roles or receiving financial compensation from various companies. The other investigators reported having no disclosures.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
FROM THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
Key clinical point: Exercise was linked to significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular events in women with nonmetastatic breast cancer, regardless of age and type of anticancer therapy received.
Major finding: Adherence to national exercise guidelines for adult patients (MET score equal to or greater than 9) was associated with a significant 23% reduction in cardiovascular events.
Data source: Retrospective survey of exercise and prospective monitoring of cardiovascular events in 2,973 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer.
Disclosures: This study was supported by a National Institute of Health Award and research grants from the National Cancer Institute and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One investigator reported having stock or ownership interests in Exercise by Science. Two investigators reported serving in advisory roles or receiving financial compensation from various companies. The other investigators reported having no disclosures.
Survivorship care planning in a comprehensive cancer center using an implementation framework
Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Mining for information, participation in clinical trials
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Patients: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy ‘worth it’ for ovarian cancer
WASHINGTON – Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may be unpleasant and interfere with daily life, but the large majority of women who received it for ovarian cancer agreed that it was the right choice for them.
A small survey of women who completed up to six cycles of the treatment found that most women did experience side effects, including fatigue, pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite those problems, more than 80% said they felt the regimen was “worth it,” and more than 90% said they would recommend it to another woman.
“Outpatient administration of chemotherapy appears to be feasible with acceptable toxicities and high completion rates,” Dr. Kristin Gotimer said at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Toxicities were troublesome, and they did definitely affect quality of life; but almost none of our patients regretted being treated – even the ones who experienced recurrent disease.”
Dr. Gotimer of the Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y., discussed a retrospective study of 98 women who underwent intraperitoneal chemotherapy for a gynecologic cancer from 2006 to 2014. Mean age of the patients was 58 years. Most women (71%) had ovarian cancer, and most cancer (70%) was stage IIIC or higher. All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery before starting chemotherapy.
Almost all women were prescribed six cycles of the regimen, which consisted of IV paclitaxel on day 1, intraperitoneal cisplatin on day 2, and intraperitoneal paclitaxel on day 8. Overall, 73% of patients completed their prescribed treatment. Among those prescribed six cycles, 71% completed all of them. Of the 26 patients who discontinued, 12 did so because of port complications, and 14 did so because of toxicities.
The most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal effects, fatigue, and neuropathy. Grade 3/4 toxicities were most often fatigue, neuropathy, and pain; those occurred in about 6% of patients per cycle. There were four cases of neutropenic fever; two of those resulted in treatment delays.
Seven patients had to change treatment, Dr. Gotimer said. Six switched from intraperitoneal cisplatin to intraperitoneal carboplatin, and one patient switched from IV paclitaxel to IV Abraxane. Toxicities were more likely to appear in later cycles. “The probability of starting each cycle was lower if the patient had experienced a severe toxicity in the prior cycle,” Dr. Gotimer explained.
A subset of patients (48) completed a survey about the treatment at a mean of 31 months after treatment. Of those, 92% had completed all their prescribed cycles. Disease had recurred in 21%. The three-domain survey queried the mental, physical, and social impact of the treatment.
On the physical health domain, half the group reported fatigue associated with the treatment. Others complained of pain (40%), gastrointestinal effects (37%), “chemo brain” cognitive dysfunction (29%), and alopecia (25%). A few patients experienced infections and dermatologic problems (less than 10% each).
In the mental health domain, patients most often noted stress (25%), anxiety (21%), and depression (15%) during treatment. They also said the therapy interfered with their social health, affecting work attendance (27%), housework (29%), and social interactions (19%). It also imposed a substantial time commitment, 17% of patients noted.
Despite those issues, 83% of patients endorsed intraperitoneal chemotherapy as “worth it,” and almost 90% said they would recommend it to a friend or family member considering it. Only about 5% of patients said they regretted using the treatment, although Dr. Gotimer didn’t specify what those regrets were.
Despite its small size and retrospective nature, the survey offers some clinically useful information, Dr. Gotimer noted. “We can identify modifiable side effects and develop specific interventions aimed at increasing tolerability.”
The results could also be used to “improve physician and patient understanding of realistic short- and long-term expectations to improve patient counseling,” she added.
Dr. Gotimer had no financial declarations.
On Twitter @Alz_Gal
WASHINGTON – Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may be unpleasant and interfere with daily life, but the large majority of women who received it for ovarian cancer agreed that it was the right choice for them.
A small survey of women who completed up to six cycles of the treatment found that most women did experience side effects, including fatigue, pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite those problems, more than 80% said they felt the regimen was “worth it,” and more than 90% said they would recommend it to another woman.
“Outpatient administration of chemotherapy appears to be feasible with acceptable toxicities and high completion rates,” Dr. Kristin Gotimer said at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Toxicities were troublesome, and they did definitely affect quality of life; but almost none of our patients regretted being treated – even the ones who experienced recurrent disease.”
Dr. Gotimer of the Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y., discussed a retrospective study of 98 women who underwent intraperitoneal chemotherapy for a gynecologic cancer from 2006 to 2014. Mean age of the patients was 58 years. Most women (71%) had ovarian cancer, and most cancer (70%) was stage IIIC or higher. All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery before starting chemotherapy.
Almost all women were prescribed six cycles of the regimen, which consisted of IV paclitaxel on day 1, intraperitoneal cisplatin on day 2, and intraperitoneal paclitaxel on day 8. Overall, 73% of patients completed their prescribed treatment. Among those prescribed six cycles, 71% completed all of them. Of the 26 patients who discontinued, 12 did so because of port complications, and 14 did so because of toxicities.
The most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal effects, fatigue, and neuropathy. Grade 3/4 toxicities were most often fatigue, neuropathy, and pain; those occurred in about 6% of patients per cycle. There were four cases of neutropenic fever; two of those resulted in treatment delays.
Seven patients had to change treatment, Dr. Gotimer said. Six switched from intraperitoneal cisplatin to intraperitoneal carboplatin, and one patient switched from IV paclitaxel to IV Abraxane. Toxicities were more likely to appear in later cycles. “The probability of starting each cycle was lower if the patient had experienced a severe toxicity in the prior cycle,” Dr. Gotimer explained.
A subset of patients (48) completed a survey about the treatment at a mean of 31 months after treatment. Of those, 92% had completed all their prescribed cycles. Disease had recurred in 21%. The three-domain survey queried the mental, physical, and social impact of the treatment.
On the physical health domain, half the group reported fatigue associated with the treatment. Others complained of pain (40%), gastrointestinal effects (37%), “chemo brain” cognitive dysfunction (29%), and alopecia (25%). A few patients experienced infections and dermatologic problems (less than 10% each).
In the mental health domain, patients most often noted stress (25%), anxiety (21%), and depression (15%) during treatment. They also said the therapy interfered with their social health, affecting work attendance (27%), housework (29%), and social interactions (19%). It also imposed a substantial time commitment, 17% of patients noted.
Despite those issues, 83% of patients endorsed intraperitoneal chemotherapy as “worth it,” and almost 90% said they would recommend it to a friend or family member considering it. Only about 5% of patients said they regretted using the treatment, although Dr. Gotimer didn’t specify what those regrets were.
Despite its small size and retrospective nature, the survey offers some clinically useful information, Dr. Gotimer noted. “We can identify modifiable side effects and develop specific interventions aimed at increasing tolerability.”
The results could also be used to “improve physician and patient understanding of realistic short- and long-term expectations to improve patient counseling,” she added.
Dr. Gotimer had no financial declarations.
On Twitter @Alz_Gal
WASHINGTON – Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may be unpleasant and interfere with daily life, but the large majority of women who received it for ovarian cancer agreed that it was the right choice for them.
A small survey of women who completed up to six cycles of the treatment found that most women did experience side effects, including fatigue, pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite those problems, more than 80% said they felt the regimen was “worth it,” and more than 90% said they would recommend it to another woman.
“Outpatient administration of chemotherapy appears to be feasible with acceptable toxicities and high completion rates,” Dr. Kristin Gotimer said at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “Toxicities were troublesome, and they did definitely affect quality of life; but almost none of our patients regretted being treated – even the ones who experienced recurrent disease.”
Dr. Gotimer of the Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y., discussed a retrospective study of 98 women who underwent intraperitoneal chemotherapy for a gynecologic cancer from 2006 to 2014. Mean age of the patients was 58 years. Most women (71%) had ovarian cancer, and most cancer (70%) was stage IIIC or higher. All patients underwent cytoreductive surgery before starting chemotherapy.
Almost all women were prescribed six cycles of the regimen, which consisted of IV paclitaxel on day 1, intraperitoneal cisplatin on day 2, and intraperitoneal paclitaxel on day 8. Overall, 73% of patients completed their prescribed treatment. Among those prescribed six cycles, 71% completed all of them. Of the 26 patients who discontinued, 12 did so because of port complications, and 14 did so because of toxicities.
The most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal effects, fatigue, and neuropathy. Grade 3/4 toxicities were most often fatigue, neuropathy, and pain; those occurred in about 6% of patients per cycle. There were four cases of neutropenic fever; two of those resulted in treatment delays.
Seven patients had to change treatment, Dr. Gotimer said. Six switched from intraperitoneal cisplatin to intraperitoneal carboplatin, and one patient switched from IV paclitaxel to IV Abraxane. Toxicities were more likely to appear in later cycles. “The probability of starting each cycle was lower if the patient had experienced a severe toxicity in the prior cycle,” Dr. Gotimer explained.
A subset of patients (48) completed a survey about the treatment at a mean of 31 months after treatment. Of those, 92% had completed all their prescribed cycles. Disease had recurred in 21%. The three-domain survey queried the mental, physical, and social impact of the treatment.
On the physical health domain, half the group reported fatigue associated with the treatment. Others complained of pain (40%), gastrointestinal effects (37%), “chemo brain” cognitive dysfunction (29%), and alopecia (25%). A few patients experienced infections and dermatologic problems (less than 10% each).
In the mental health domain, patients most often noted stress (25%), anxiety (21%), and depression (15%) during treatment. They also said the therapy interfered with their social health, affecting work attendance (27%), housework (29%), and social interactions (19%). It also imposed a substantial time commitment, 17% of patients noted.
Despite those issues, 83% of patients endorsed intraperitoneal chemotherapy as “worth it,” and almost 90% said they would recommend it to a friend or family member considering it. Only about 5% of patients said they regretted using the treatment, although Dr. Gotimer didn’t specify what those regrets were.
Despite its small size and retrospective nature, the survey offers some clinically useful information, Dr. Gotimer noted. “We can identify modifiable side effects and develop specific interventions aimed at increasing tolerability.”
The results could also be used to “improve physician and patient understanding of realistic short- and long-term expectations to improve patient counseling,” she added.
Dr. Gotimer had no financial declarations.
On Twitter @Alz_Gal
AT ACOG 2016
Key clinical point: Despite its challenges, most women who used intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer said it was a good option for them.
Major finding: More than 80% of women said the regimen was “worth it,” and more than 90% said they would recommend it to another woman.
Data source: The retrospective study comprised 98 women, 48 of whom completed a survey about their treatment.
Disclosures: Dr. Gotimer had no financial disclosures.
Validated tool outperforms KPS in predicting chemo toxicity in older adults
The risk of chemotherapy toxicity is high in older adults with cancer, and a validated tool now exists to assess this toxicity in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making, investigators reported.
To validate a previously developed model, investigators recruited 250 patients with solid tumors who were aged 65 years of age and older and scheduled to receive a new chemotherapy regimen, and compared results to 500 patients in the development cohort. Patients were observed through the chemotherapy course, and adverse events were obtained from chart review.
“In both the development and validation cohorts, this model had a greater ability to discriminate toxicity risk in older adults than did the present standard oncologic assessment of performance status, the KPS [Karnofsky Performance Status] score,” wrote Dr. Arti Hurria of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, Calif., and her associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 16. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.4327).
“Hence, this study fills a gap in knowledge by developing a validated tool to assess chemotherapy toxicity risk among older adults who receive chemotherapy in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making,” they said.
The predictive model incorporates factors obtained in everyday oncology (patient age, number and dosing regimen of chemotherapy drugs) with various factors pertaining to geriatric health, such as the number of falls in 6 months, ability to take one’s own medication, and mobility.
More than half of the patients in the validation cohort (58%) experienced grade 3-5 toxicity, compared with 53% of patients in the development cohort. In the validation cohort, risk of toxicity increased with increasing risk score from the predictive model and was statistically significant (36.7% in the low-risk group, 62.4% in the medium-risk group, and 70.2% in the high-risk group (P less than .001).
Physician-rated KPS was not predictive of chemotherapy toxicity in either development cohort (P = .19) or the validation cohort (P = .25).
The two cohorts differed significantly by cancer type and stage; the development cohort had more patients with gynecologic cancer (17% vs. 7% in the validation cohort) while breast cancer was more common in the validation cohort (24% vs 11% in the development cohort).
The validity of the model was assessed by creating receiver-operating characteristic curves and calculating the area under the curve. The area under the curve in the validation cohort (0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.71) and the area under the curve in the developmental cohort (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.77) were not statistically different (P = .09).
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging, the Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Association of Specialty Professors, and the Junior Development Award in Geriatric Oncology. Four of the investigators reported receiving funding from or having consulting or advisory roles with various companies.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
The risk of chemotherapy toxicity is high in older adults with cancer, and a validated tool now exists to assess this toxicity in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making, investigators reported.
To validate a previously developed model, investigators recruited 250 patients with solid tumors who were aged 65 years of age and older and scheduled to receive a new chemotherapy regimen, and compared results to 500 patients in the development cohort. Patients were observed through the chemotherapy course, and adverse events were obtained from chart review.
“In both the development and validation cohorts, this model had a greater ability to discriminate toxicity risk in older adults than did the present standard oncologic assessment of performance status, the KPS [Karnofsky Performance Status] score,” wrote Dr. Arti Hurria of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, Calif., and her associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 16. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.4327).
“Hence, this study fills a gap in knowledge by developing a validated tool to assess chemotherapy toxicity risk among older adults who receive chemotherapy in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making,” they said.
The predictive model incorporates factors obtained in everyday oncology (patient age, number and dosing regimen of chemotherapy drugs) with various factors pertaining to geriatric health, such as the number of falls in 6 months, ability to take one’s own medication, and mobility.
More than half of the patients in the validation cohort (58%) experienced grade 3-5 toxicity, compared with 53% of patients in the development cohort. In the validation cohort, risk of toxicity increased with increasing risk score from the predictive model and was statistically significant (36.7% in the low-risk group, 62.4% in the medium-risk group, and 70.2% in the high-risk group (P less than .001).
Physician-rated KPS was not predictive of chemotherapy toxicity in either development cohort (P = .19) or the validation cohort (P = .25).
The two cohorts differed significantly by cancer type and stage; the development cohort had more patients with gynecologic cancer (17% vs. 7% in the validation cohort) while breast cancer was more common in the validation cohort (24% vs 11% in the development cohort).
The validity of the model was assessed by creating receiver-operating characteristic curves and calculating the area under the curve. The area under the curve in the validation cohort (0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.71) and the area under the curve in the developmental cohort (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.77) were not statistically different (P = .09).
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging, the Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Association of Specialty Professors, and the Junior Development Award in Geriatric Oncology. Four of the investigators reported receiving funding from or having consulting or advisory roles with various companies.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
The risk of chemotherapy toxicity is high in older adults with cancer, and a validated tool now exists to assess this toxicity in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making, investigators reported.
To validate a previously developed model, investigators recruited 250 patients with solid tumors who were aged 65 years of age and older and scheduled to receive a new chemotherapy regimen, and compared results to 500 patients in the development cohort. Patients were observed through the chemotherapy course, and adverse events were obtained from chart review.
“In both the development and validation cohorts, this model had a greater ability to discriminate toxicity risk in older adults than did the present standard oncologic assessment of performance status, the KPS [Karnofsky Performance Status] score,” wrote Dr. Arti Hurria of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, Calif., and her associates (J Clin Oncol. 2016 May 16. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2015.65.4327).
“Hence, this study fills a gap in knowledge by developing a validated tool to assess chemotherapy toxicity risk among older adults who receive chemotherapy in everyday practice to aid in clinical decision making,” they said.
The predictive model incorporates factors obtained in everyday oncology (patient age, number and dosing regimen of chemotherapy drugs) with various factors pertaining to geriatric health, such as the number of falls in 6 months, ability to take one’s own medication, and mobility.
More than half of the patients in the validation cohort (58%) experienced grade 3-5 toxicity, compared with 53% of patients in the development cohort. In the validation cohort, risk of toxicity increased with increasing risk score from the predictive model and was statistically significant (36.7% in the low-risk group, 62.4% in the medium-risk group, and 70.2% in the high-risk group (P less than .001).
Physician-rated KPS was not predictive of chemotherapy toxicity in either development cohort (P = .19) or the validation cohort (P = .25).
The two cohorts differed significantly by cancer type and stage; the development cohort had more patients with gynecologic cancer (17% vs. 7% in the validation cohort) while breast cancer was more common in the validation cohort (24% vs 11% in the development cohort).
The validity of the model was assessed by creating receiver-operating characteristic curves and calculating the area under the curve. The area under the curve in the validation cohort (0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.71) and the area under the curve in the developmental cohort (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.77) were not statistically different (P = .09).
This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging, the Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Association of Specialty Professors, and the Junior Development Award in Geriatric Oncology. Four of the investigators reported receiving funding from or having consulting or advisory roles with various companies.
On Twitter @JessCraig_OP
FROM THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
Key clinical point: Investigators validated a mathematical model that successfully predicts chemotherapy toxicity in cancer patients aged 65 years or older.
Major finding: The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve in the validation cohort (0.65; 95% CI, 0.58-0.71) and the area under the ROC curve in the developmental cohort (0.72; 95% CI, 0.68-0.77) were not statistically different (P = .09).
Data source: A longitudinal study of 250 patients older than 65 years.
Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging, the Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Association of Specialty Professors, and the Junior Development Award in Geriatric Oncology. Four of the investigators reported receiving funding from or having consulting or advisory roles with various companies.
Premenopausal age linked to lower sexual function after gynecologic cancer surgery
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. – Premenopausal age was associated with a greater temporary decline in sexual desire 1 month after undergoing surgery for suspected gynecologic malignancies, results from an ancillary analysis showed.
“Sexual health is an important dimension of quality of life for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. C. Emi Bretschneider, lead study author, said at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. “Limited data exists on the impact of surgery for treatment of gynecologic cancer on patient-reported sexual desire and interest.”
In an effort to evaluate the impact on sexual function in women undergoing surgery for presumed or known gynecologic malignancies, the researchers performed an ancillary analysis of a cohort study analyzing quality-of-life and operative outcomes in 185 women who underwent gynecologic oncology procedures at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, between October 2013 and October 2014.
Study participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sexual Function and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PROMIS-SFQ) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The questionnaire evaluates four subdomains of sexual function: global satisfaction with sex life, interest in sexual activity, lubrication, and vaginal discomfort. The researchers used student t-test and linear regression to compare mean score changes between cancer types, surgical route, menopausal status, and postoperative complications, said Dr. Bretschneider of the university’s department of obstetrics and gynecology.
Of the 281 patients initially enrolled, 185 (66%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at baseline and at 1 month postoperatively, forming the primary cohort from which the researchers performed the analysis. Of these 185 patients, 170 (92%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at 3 months and 174 (94%) completed the survey at 6 months postoperatively.
The average age of patients at baseline was 56 years: most (77%) were white, mean body mass index was 32.9 kg/m2, 62% were partnered, and 63% underwent minimally invasive procedures. Following surgery, 131 of the patients (71%) were diagnosed with a malignancy, most commonly uterine cancer (84%), followed by ovarian (23%), cervical (17%), and vulvar cancer (3%).
Dr. Bretschneider reported that the mean baseline sexual interest score among all study participants was 44.8. At 1 month postoperatively, the mean scores decreased a mean of 3.8 points from baseline to 41. By 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the mean sexual interest scores increased from baseline by 1.9 and 2.7 points, respectively, to 46.7 and 47.5.
Women younger than age 55 years had a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –5.5 vs. –2.3 points, respectively; P = .02).
On multivariate analysis adjusted for cancer diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery, and cancer site, women younger than age 55 continued to have a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –4.59 points). Additionally, women who had cancer had a greater drop in sexual desire, compared with those with benign disease (a mean of –5.6 points).
“This study offers new information on the impact of surgery on sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. Bretschneider said at the meeting, which was jointly sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. “The study was further strengthened by its prospective design and well-characterized, large cohort of women.” Weaknesses, she continued, include its generalizability, “which may be limited, as the study cohort was recruited from a single academic institution. Also, the small sample size for some cancer sites reduced our ability to sense cancer site as a causal agent for sexual dysfunction.”
Dr. Bretschneider reported having no financial disclosures.
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. – Premenopausal age was associated with a greater temporary decline in sexual desire 1 month after undergoing surgery for suspected gynecologic malignancies, results from an ancillary analysis showed.
“Sexual health is an important dimension of quality of life for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. C. Emi Bretschneider, lead study author, said at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. “Limited data exists on the impact of surgery for treatment of gynecologic cancer on patient-reported sexual desire and interest.”
In an effort to evaluate the impact on sexual function in women undergoing surgery for presumed or known gynecologic malignancies, the researchers performed an ancillary analysis of a cohort study analyzing quality-of-life and operative outcomes in 185 women who underwent gynecologic oncology procedures at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, between October 2013 and October 2014.
Study participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sexual Function and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PROMIS-SFQ) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The questionnaire evaluates four subdomains of sexual function: global satisfaction with sex life, interest in sexual activity, lubrication, and vaginal discomfort. The researchers used student t-test and linear regression to compare mean score changes between cancer types, surgical route, menopausal status, and postoperative complications, said Dr. Bretschneider of the university’s department of obstetrics and gynecology.
Of the 281 patients initially enrolled, 185 (66%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at baseline and at 1 month postoperatively, forming the primary cohort from which the researchers performed the analysis. Of these 185 patients, 170 (92%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at 3 months and 174 (94%) completed the survey at 6 months postoperatively.
The average age of patients at baseline was 56 years: most (77%) were white, mean body mass index was 32.9 kg/m2, 62% were partnered, and 63% underwent minimally invasive procedures. Following surgery, 131 of the patients (71%) were diagnosed with a malignancy, most commonly uterine cancer (84%), followed by ovarian (23%), cervical (17%), and vulvar cancer (3%).
Dr. Bretschneider reported that the mean baseline sexual interest score among all study participants was 44.8. At 1 month postoperatively, the mean scores decreased a mean of 3.8 points from baseline to 41. By 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the mean sexual interest scores increased from baseline by 1.9 and 2.7 points, respectively, to 46.7 and 47.5.
Women younger than age 55 years had a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –5.5 vs. –2.3 points, respectively; P = .02).
On multivariate analysis adjusted for cancer diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery, and cancer site, women younger than age 55 continued to have a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –4.59 points). Additionally, women who had cancer had a greater drop in sexual desire, compared with those with benign disease (a mean of –5.6 points).
“This study offers new information on the impact of surgery on sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. Bretschneider said at the meeting, which was jointly sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. “The study was further strengthened by its prospective design and well-characterized, large cohort of women.” Weaknesses, she continued, include its generalizability, “which may be limited, as the study cohort was recruited from a single academic institution. Also, the small sample size for some cancer sites reduced our ability to sense cancer site as a causal agent for sexual dysfunction.”
Dr. Bretschneider reported having no financial disclosures.
INDIAN WELLS, CALIF. – Premenopausal age was associated with a greater temporary decline in sexual desire 1 month after undergoing surgery for suspected gynecologic malignancies, results from an ancillary analysis showed.
“Sexual health is an important dimension of quality of life for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. C. Emi Bretschneider, lead study author, said at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. “Limited data exists on the impact of surgery for treatment of gynecologic cancer on patient-reported sexual desire and interest.”
In an effort to evaluate the impact on sexual function in women undergoing surgery for presumed or known gynecologic malignancies, the researchers performed an ancillary analysis of a cohort study analyzing quality-of-life and operative outcomes in 185 women who underwent gynecologic oncology procedures at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, between October 2013 and October 2014.
Study participants completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sexual Function and Satisfaction Questionnaire (PROMIS-SFQ) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The questionnaire evaluates four subdomains of sexual function: global satisfaction with sex life, interest in sexual activity, lubrication, and vaginal discomfort. The researchers used student t-test and linear regression to compare mean score changes between cancer types, surgical route, menopausal status, and postoperative complications, said Dr. Bretschneider of the university’s department of obstetrics and gynecology.
Of the 281 patients initially enrolled, 185 (66%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at baseline and at 1 month postoperatively, forming the primary cohort from which the researchers performed the analysis. Of these 185 patients, 170 (92%) completed the PROMIS-SFQ at 3 months and 174 (94%) completed the survey at 6 months postoperatively.
The average age of patients at baseline was 56 years: most (77%) were white, mean body mass index was 32.9 kg/m2, 62% were partnered, and 63% underwent minimally invasive procedures. Following surgery, 131 of the patients (71%) were diagnosed with a malignancy, most commonly uterine cancer (84%), followed by ovarian (23%), cervical (17%), and vulvar cancer (3%).
Dr. Bretschneider reported that the mean baseline sexual interest score among all study participants was 44.8. At 1 month postoperatively, the mean scores decreased a mean of 3.8 points from baseline to 41. By 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the mean sexual interest scores increased from baseline by 1.9 and 2.7 points, respectively, to 46.7 and 47.5.
Women younger than age 55 years had a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –5.5 vs. –2.3 points, respectively; P = .02).
On multivariate analysis adjusted for cancer diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery, and cancer site, women younger than age 55 continued to have a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –4.59 points). Additionally, women who had cancer had a greater drop in sexual desire, compared with those with benign disease (a mean of –5.6 points).
“This study offers new information on the impact of surgery on sexual function for women with gynecologic cancer,” Dr. Bretschneider said at the meeting, which was jointly sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. “The study was further strengthened by its prospective design and well-characterized, large cohort of women.” Weaknesses, she continued, include its generalizability, “which may be limited, as the study cohort was recruited from a single academic institution. Also, the small sample size for some cancer sites reduced our ability to sense cancer site as a causal agent for sexual dysfunction.”
Dr. Bretschneider reported having no financial disclosures.
AT SGS 2016
Key clinical point: Premenopausal age was associated with a greater temporary decline in sexual function following gynecologic oncology procedures.
Major finding: Women younger than age 55 years had a greater decrease in sexual interest between baseline and 1 month postoperatively, compared with their counterparts aged 55 and older (a mean of –5.5 vs. –2.3 points on the PROMIS-SFQ, respectively; P = .02).
Data source: An ancillary analysis of a cohort study analyzing quality-of-life and operative outcomes in 185 women who underwent gynecologic oncology procedures between October 2013 and October 2014.
Disclosures: Dr. Bretschneider reported having no financial disclosures.
