The current status of follow-up services for childhood cancer survivors, are we meeting goals and expectations: a report from the Consortium for New England Childhood Cancer Survivors

Management of childhood cancer survivors at risk for thyroid function abnormalities: A Delphi study

BACKGROUND

Thyroid function abnormalities can occur after treatment for childhood cancer. Evidence for the management of thyroid dysfunction among asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is lacking. We used a Delphi consensus methodology to expand guidelines for screening asymptomatic CCS at risk for thyroid dysfunction and explore recommendations for the clinical management of abnormal results.

PROCEDURE

A Delphi panel of 40 expert physicians representing oncology, endocrinology, and primary care participated in three rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires formatted as clinical scenarios. Consensus is defined as ≥ 90% of panelists agree with recommendation and disagreement as < 70% agree.

RESULTS

Panelists reached consensus that CCS treated with radiation including neck, total body, whole brain, brain including the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), and therapeutic meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) should have annual, lifelong screening using serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 starting within one year off-treatment (98%). Panelists disagreed on continuing to screen CCS for thyroid dysfunction after immunotherapy associated with acute thyroid injury (31%-50%). There was also disagreement on indications for brain (17%-43%) or thyroid (50%-65%) imaging, laboratory tests to assess the HPA (29%-75%), and TSH threshold to initiate treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism. Lack of evidence was the most frequent rationale panelists offered for not recommending additional testing or medications. Panelists' recommendations did not vary by geography, specialty, or survivorship clinical experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Consensus was reached on most recommendations for screening and management of cancer treatment-related thyroid dysfunction. Screening after completion of thyroid-toxic immunotherapy, indications for imaging, and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism are areas of disagreement for further investigation.

Southern California Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Survivorship (SC-PACS): Establishing a Multi-Institutional Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Consortium in Southern California

Introduction

Given their risk for late effects and early mortality, childhood/adolescent cancer survivors (CACSs) should receive longitudinal monitoring and care. The Southern California Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Survivorship (SC-PACS) consortium was established in February 2017 to combine resources and expertise across seven participating survivorship programs. Its over-arching objective is to address the unique needs of its demographically diverse CACS population through collaborative survivorship research and care initiatives. The first SC-PACS study was an assessment of survivorship needs and evaluation of current services as reported by CACSs and their parents/primary care givers (PPCGs) receiving survivorship care at consortium sites.

Methods

As an initial investigation, a cross-sectional survey for CACSs and their parents/primary care givers was conducted. The goal was to enroll 10 CACSs and 10 PPCGs from each of the seven institutions (total of 140 participants). The eligibility criteria for CACSs were age ≥13 years at the time of enrollment, >2 years from the end of treatment, sufficient cognitive function to complete the survey, and English or Spanish language proficiency. For CACSs <13 years old, their PPCGs completed the survey. This was a convenience sample using frequencies and proportions to describe participant characteristics and survey responses, which were entered into a Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database.

Results

Across the consortium, of the recruitment target of 140 participants (CACSs, n=70; PPCGs, n=70), 127 (90.7%) participants were enrolled. Of the 127 participants enrolled, 65 (51.2%) were CACSs and 62 (48.8%) were PPCGs. The majority of participants were female (51.2%), were Hispanic (62.2%), spoke English as the primary language at home (57.5%), and were diagnosed between one to four years of age (45.7%). Information considered most important by both CACSs and PPCGs was related to cancer diagnosis (90.8%) and future risks as a result of cancer treatment received (98.0%). Overall, 78% of CACSs and PPCGs found the survivorship information (treatment summary) useful, and 83% felt that they received the right amount of information about their cancer.

Conclusion

Our aim was to obtain baseline data that would characterize our CACS population, inform consortium priorities, and establish a collaborative research platform. The ultimate goal of the consortium is to develop a comprehensive survivorship care approach that addresses the most important needs of cancer survivors in our catchment area and promotes best practice interventions. Future plans are to expand the needs assessment survey to obtain a wider representation of the survivor population at SC-PACS institutions, helping create strategies to improve cancer-specific education, delivery of treatment summary, and access to community resources for this demographically and socioeconomically diverse population.

Virtual visits as long-term follow-up care for childhood cancer survivors: Patient and provider satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic

Telemedicine can potentially meet objectives of long-term follow-up care (LTFU) for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) while reducing barriers. We surveyed providers at our institution about their satisfaction with video-conference virtual visits (VV) with 81 CCS during COVID-19 restrictions. The same 81 CCS (or parent proxies) were surveyed about their experience, of which 47% responded. Providers and CCS were highly satisfied with VV (86% and 95% "completely/very satisfied," respectively). CCS rated VV "as/nearly as" helpful as in-person visits (66%) and 82% prefer VV remain an option postpandemic. High levels of survivor and provider satisfaction with VV support ongoing investigation into implementation for LTFU.

Recurrent Langerhans cell histiocytosis at the site of prior craniotomy: case report

Tumors of the CNS represent the largest group of solid tumors found in the pediatric patient population. Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an inflammatory lesion that may present in bone and/or soft tissue, including the CNS. Management depends on the extent of multisystem involvement, which determines resection with or without systemic chemotherapy. The authors report on the case of a child who underwent an open craniotomy for biopsy of a pituitary stalk lesion followed by neuropathological assessment, procedures used to diagnose LCH. The patient then underwent 12 months of systemic chemotherapy with subsequent resolution of the pituitary stalk lesion. Two years following pathological diagnosis, the patient presented with frontal orbital pain at the site of the prior craniotomy. Advanced imaging revealed MRI enhancement and radiotracer uptake of a soft-tissue growth at the frontal burr-hole site and MRI enhancement at a posterior burr-hole site without soft-tissue growth. The patient then underwent open biopsy and curettage that revealed LCH recurrence at the site of prior craniotomy. This case demonstrates that LCH may represent an abnormal reactive clonal proliferation of dendritic cells, rather than a de novo malignant neoplasm that can occur at sites of prior craniotomy despite systemic chemotherapy. The authors advocate close follow-up with contrast-enhanced imaging. Special attention should be given to sites of prior surgical manipulation to avoid missing distant sites of recurrence.

Randomized Trial of the Impact of Empowering Childhood Cancer Survivors With Survivorship Care Plans

Background

A survivorship care plan (SCP), that is, individualized treatment summary and schedule of off-therapy surveillance, will be mandated by January 2019. It is unclear whether SCPs improve adherence to recommended follow-up care in the community. In this trial, we evaluated the impact of randomly assigning childhood cancer survivors to 1) SCPs to be taken to their primary care physician (PCP) to implement or 2) survivorship clinic (SC) on health care quality measures.

Methods

Eligibility included cancer diagnosis younger than age 18 years (2000-2012), cancer free, one or more years off therapy, and no prior survivorship clinic attendance. At 12 months, the random assignment groups were compared (SCP+PCP vs SC) by intent-to-treat analysis with two-sided statistical tests in terms of patient adherence to guideline-recommended surveillance tests (eg, echocardiogram) and number of newly identified late complications of therapy.

Results

From 2011 to 2013, 96 participants (46.9% female, mean age = 15.9 ± 6.1 years) were randomly assigned. Adherence to 14 evaluated guideline-recommended surveillance tests ranged from 0% to 46.9% in the SCP+PCP group (n = 47) and from 50.0% to 86.4% in the SC group (n = 47). Adherence to 10 tests was statistically significantly different between the groups (all P < .05). One mild new late complication was identified in the SCP+PCP group compared with 21 late complications, ranging from mild to severe, identified in 11 patients in the SC group (2.1% vs 23.4% of patients, respectively, P = .003).

Conclusions

Our randomized trial suggests that empowering childhood cancer survivors with SCPs to be implemented by their PCPs is not sufficient to meet consensus follow-up recommendations.

Transitional care practices, services, and delivery in childhood cancer survivor programs: A survey study of U.S. survivorship providers

PURPOSE

There are limited reports describing transition of young adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) from pediatric to adult-focused survivorship care. The purpose of this study was to characterize current transitional care practices in the United States.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

An online survey was sent to one preselected respondent at 163 Children's Oncology Group member institutions in the United States. Data were collected about (i) the availability and type of long-term follow-up services for adult CCS and (ii) policies and procedures for transitioning. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors related to care for CCS.

RESULTS

The response rate was 60% (97/163). Eighty-one respondents (84%) represented centers with specialized pediatric-focused CCS programs. Thirty-nine percent (38/97) of programs delivered specialized transitional care for adult CCS. Adult-centered care was delivered in both pediatric (39%, 15/38) and adult oncology clinics (39%, 15/38). The most common perceived transition barriers were lack of available partnering adult providers and adult providers' lack of knowledge regarding CCS. The larger the program in terms of new diagnoses, the more likely they were to offer formal transitional care (<50 vs >200: odds ratios [OR] 20.0; 95% CI 3.2, 100.0, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

A variety of models are utilized for delivering care to adult CCS. Our results suggest that interventions to establish effective partnerships with adult providers on appropriate care of CCS may facilitate expanded availability of these services.

Caring for survivors of childhood cancer: it takes a village

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Over 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are now cured. The burgeoning population of survivors of childhood cancer experiences high rates of morbidity and mortality due to 'late-effects' of treatment. These can be defined as any consequence of treatment that persists beyond or develops after the completion of cancer therapy. Awareness of late-effects is critically important for pediatricians and adult providers alike, as late-effects impact children in proximity to cancer treatment, as well as adults many decades removed. This review presents the importance of lifelong follow-up care for survivors, highlights existing screening guidelines, and reviews various models of survivor care.

RECENT FINDINGS

National and international guidelines have been developed to standardize screening for survivors, and multiple models of survivorship care exist. The optimal model likely depends on individual factors, including the survivor's needs and preferences, as well as local resources. Key strategies for the successful care of survivors include accurate risk-stratification for specific late-effects, individualized screening plans, education of survivors and professionals, clear communication between providers, and well coordinated transition of care across services.

SUMMARY

Early identification and management of late-effects are important for survivors of childhood cancer. Providers should be familiar with the risks for specific late-effects and have access to screening guidelines. The strengths and weaknesses of care models, along with individual circumstances, should be considered in designing the optimal approach to care for each survivor.

Understanding predictors of continued long-term pediatric cancer care across the region: A report from the Consortium for New England Childhood Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Many survivors of childhood cancer do not receive recommended longitudinal oncology care. Factors present at the time of childhood cancer diagnosis may identify patients who are vulnerable to poor adherence to follow-up.

METHODS

This cohort of survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed from 1996 to 1999 at seven Consortium for New England Childhood Cancer Survivors institutions was evaluated for attendance at oncology clinics at 5 and 10 years from diagnosis. Demographic, socioeconomic, disease, and treatment characteristics were analyzed as risk factors for nonadherence to follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 317 patients, 90% were alive 5 years from diagnosis and 88% of those remained in active follow-up. At 10 years from diagnosis, 88% were alive, 73% of whom continued in active follow-up. Insurance status at diagnosis was significantly associated with adherence at both 5 and 10 years. At 10 years, initial enrollment on therapeutic study was associated with increased attendance and central nervous system (CNS) leukemia with decreased attendance. In multivariable modeling of follow-up at 5 years, patients who were adults were less likely to participate and those with private insurance at diagnosis more likely to participate. At 10 years, insurance status at diagnosis remained a predictor of adherence to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this regional cohort, many patients who are survivors of ALL continue to participate in oncology care at 5 and 10 years from diagnosis. Factors known at diagnosis including insurance status, CNS leukemia, older age, and enrollment on therapeutic study were associated with differential attendance to follow-up visits.

Early Nutrition and Physical Activity Interventions in Childhood Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Childhood cancer survivors experience excessive weight gain early in treatment. Lifestyle interventions need to be initiated early in cancer care to prevent the early onset of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We reviewed the existing literature on early lifestyle interventions in childhood cancer survivors and consider implications for clinical care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Few lifestyle interventions focus on improving nutrition in childhood cancer survivors. A consistent effect on reducing obesity and CVD risk factors is not evident from the limited number of studies with heterogeneous intervention characteristics, although interventions with a longer duration and follow-up show more promising trends. Future lifestyle interventions should be of a longer duration and include a nutrition component. Interventions with a longer duration and follow-up are needed to assess the timing and sustainability of the intervention effect. Lifestyle interventions introduced early in cancer care are both safe and feasible.

Predictors of Suboptimal Follow-up in Pediatric Cancer Survivors

Attendance to follow-up care after completion of cancer treatment is an understudied area. We examined demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic predictors of follow-up by pediatric cancer patients at a large center in 442 newly diagnosed patients using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Patients who did not return to clinic for at least 1000 days were considered lost to follow-up. Two hundred forty-two (54.8%) patients were lost. In multivariable analyses, the following variables were independent predictors of being lost to follow-up: treatment with surgery alone (odds ratio [OR]=6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1-14.9), older age at diagnosis (reference, 0 to 4; ages, 5 to 9: OR=1.8, 95% CI, 1.1-3; ages, 10 to 14: OR=3.3; CI, 1.8-6.1; and ages, 15 and above: OR=4.8; CI, 2.1-11.7), lack of history of stem cell transplantation (OR=2, 95% CI, 1.04-3.7) and lack of insurance (OR=3.4; CI, 1.2-9.2). Hispanic patients had the best follow-up rates (53.7%) compared to whites and blacks (P=0.03). Attendance to long-term follow-up care is suboptimal in childhood cancer survivors. Predictors that were associated with nonattendance can be used to design targeted interventions to improve follow-up care for survivors of pediatric cancer.

Transition and transfer of childhood cancer survivors to adult care: A national survey of pediatric oncologists

BACKGROUND

Pediatric oncologists are responsible for ensuring that adolescent and young adult (AYA) childhood cancer survivors have the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their follow-up care in adult healthcare systems.

PROCEDURES

To describe transition practices and barriers to transfer, we electronically surveyed U.S. Children's Oncology Group members: 507/1449 responded (35%) and 347/507 (68%) met eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

Of 347 respondents, 50% are male, median years in practice 10 (range 5-22), 37% practice in freestanding children's hospitals. Almost all care for survivors up to age 21 years (96%), 42% care for survivors over age 25 years, and only 16% over age 30 years. While 66% of oncologists reported providing transition education to their patients, very few (8%) reported using standardized transition assessments. The most frequent barriers to transfer were perceived attachment to provider (91%), lack of adult providers with cancer survivor expertise (86%), patient's cognitive delay (81%), or unstable social situation (80%). Oncologists who continue to care for patients older than 25 years are more likely to perceive parents' attachment to provider (P = 0.037) and patients' social situation as barriers to transfer (P = 0.044).  Four themes emerged from a content analysis of 75 respondents to the open-ended question inviting comments on transition/transfer practices: desire for flexible transfer criteria; providers as barriers; provider lack of transition knowledge, skills, and resources; and desire for collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most pediatric oncologists reported transferring AYA cancer survivors to adult care and providing some transition education, they endorse deficits in transition skills, emotional readiness, and institutional resources.

Developing a Web-Based Weight Management Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors: Rationale and Methods

Background

Due to advances in the field of oncology, survival rates for children with cancer have improved significantly. However, these childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk for obesity and cardiovascular diseases and for developing these conditions at an earlier age.

Objective

In this paper, we describe the rationale, conceptual framework, development process, novel components, and delivery plan of a behavioral intervention program for preventing unhealthy weight gain in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods

A Web-based program, the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) program, was designed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers who first identified behaviors that are appropriate targets for weight management in childhood ALL survivors and subsequently developed the intervention components, following core behavioral change strategies grounded in social cognitive and self-determination theories.

Results

The Web-based HEAL curriculum has 12 weekly self-guided sessions to increase parents’ awareness of the potential impact of cancer treatment on weight and lifestyle habits and the importance of weight management in survivors’ long-term health. It empowers parents with knowledge and skills on parenting, nutrition, and physical activity to help them facilitate healthy eating and active living soon after the child completes intensive cancer treatment. Based on social cognitive theory, the program is designed to increase behavioral skills (goal-setting, self-monitoring, and problem-solving) and self-efficacy and to provide positive reinforcement to sustain behavioral change.

Conclusions

Lifestyle interventions are a priority for preventing the early onset of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in childhood cancer survivors. Intervention programs need to meet survivors’ targeted behavioral needs, address specific barriers, and capture a sensitive window for behavioral change. In addition, they should be convenient, cost-effective and scalable. Future studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility of introducing weight management early in cancer care and the efficacy of early weight management on survivors’ health outcomes.

Care Transitions in Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Providers' Perspectives

PURPOSE

Most adolescent and young adult (AYA)-aged childhood cancer survivors develop physical and/or psychosocial sequelae; however, many do not receive long-term follow-up (LTF) critical for screening, prevention, and treatment of late effects. To develop a health services research agenda to optimize care models, we conducted qualitative research with LTF providers examining existing models, and successes and challenges in maintaining survivors' connections to care across their transition to adulthood.

METHODS

We interviewed 20 LTF experts (MDs, RNs, social workers, education specialists, psychologists) from 10 Children's Oncology Group-affiliated institutions, and analyzed data using grounded theory and content analysis techniques.

RESULTS

Participants described the complexity of survivors' healthcare transitions. Survivors had pressing educational needs in multiple domains, and imparting the need for prevention was challenging. Multidisciplinary LTF teams focused on prevention and self-management. Care and decisions about transfer were individualized based on survivors' health risks, developmental issues, and family contexts. An interplay of provider and institutional factors, some of which were potentially modifiable, also influenced how transitions were managed. Interviewees rarely collaborated with community primary care providers to comanage patients. Communication systems and collective norms about sharing care limited comanagement capacity. Interviewees described staffing practices, policies, and informal initiatives they found reduced attrition.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that survivors will benefit from care models that better connect patients, survivorship experts, and community providers for uninterrupted LTF across transitions. We propose research priorities, framing attrition from LTF as a public health concern, transition as the central challenge in LTF, and transition readiness as a multilevel concept.

Health care utilization, lifestyle, and emotional factors and mammography practices in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

BACKGROUND

Women with a history of chest radiotherapy have an increased risk of breast cancer; however, many do not undergo annual recommended screening mammography. We sought to characterize the relationship between mammography and potentially modifiable factors, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention to improve utilization.

METHODS

Of 625 female participants sampled from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, who were treated with chest radiotherapy, 551 responded to a survey about breast cancer screening practices. We used multivariate Poisson regression to assess several lifestyle and emotional factors, health care practices, and perceived breast cancer risk, in relation to reporting a screening mammogram within the last two years.

RESULTS

Women who had a Papanicolaou test [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-2.49], and who perceived their breast cancer risk as higher than the average woman were more likely to have had a mammogram (PR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09-1.46). We detected an attenuated effect of echocardiogram screening [PR, 0.70; 95% CI (0.52-0.95)] on having a mammogram among older women compared with younger women. Smoking, obesity, physical activity, coping, and symptoms of depression and somatization were not associated with mammographic screening.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that compliance with routine and risk-based screening can be an important indicator of mammography in childhood cancer survivors. In addition, there is a need to ensure women understand their increased breast cancer risk, as a means to encouraging them to follow breast surveillance guidelines.

IMPACT

Screening encounters could be used to promote mammography compliance in this population.

Endocrine complications and components of the metabolic syndrome in survivors of childhood malignant non-brain solid tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The substantial improvement in survival of children with cancer has been achieved at the cost of late effects. We aimed to evaluate the endocrine outcome in survivors of childhood non-brain malignant solid tumors (NBMST).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective medical record review for medical history, clinical and laboratory data of survivors (n = 139) followed at the endocrine clinic of a tertiary medical center. Outcome measures were frequency and types of endocrine dysfunction and components of the metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time was 9.0 years (range 1.2-29.5 years). At least one endocrine abnormality was found in 44 patients (31.7%). Abnormalities included hypogonadism (11.5%), hypothyroidism (9.4%), short stature (9.4%), growth hormone deficiency (8.6%) and components of the metabolic syndrome (15.1%). Height SDS decreased significantly (p = 0.004) during follow-up, whereas body mass index SDS tended to increase. On logistic regression analysis, treatment with cranial irradiation (p = 0.003), local radiation (p = 0.042), or bone marrow transplantation (p = 0.0001), and older age at last visit (p < 0.001) were associated with a significantly higher hazard of an endocrinopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

The high rate of late endocrine dysfunction among survivors of childhood NBMST highlights the need to optimize the follow-up at the late-effects clinics to identify endocrine problems and allow early and effective intervention.

Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: life-long risks and responsibilities

Survival rates for most paediatric cancers have improved at a remarkable pace over the past four decades. In developed countries, cure is now the probable outcome for most children and adolescents who are diagnosed with cancer: their 5-year survival rate approaches 80%. However, the vast majority of these cancer survivors will have at least one chronic health condition by 40 years of age. The burden of responsibility to understand the long-term morbidity and mortality that is associated with currently successful treatments must be borne by many, including the research and health care communities, survivor advocacy groups, and governmental and policy-making entities.

General practitioner involvement in follow-up of childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of childhood cancer survivors need long-term follow-up care. Different models address this problem, including that of follow-up by general practitioners (GP). We describe models that involve GPs in follow-up for childhood cancer survivors, their advantages and disadvantages, clinics that employ these models, and the elements essential to high-quality, GP-led follow-up care.

PROCEDURE

We searched four databases (PubMed [including Medline], Embase, Cochrane, and CINAHL) without language restrictions.

RESULTS

We found 26 publications, which explicitly mentioned GP-led follow-up. Two models were commonly described: GP-only, and shared care between GP and pediatric oncology or late effects clinic. The shared care model appears to have advantages over GP-only follow-up. We found four clinics using models of GP-led follow-up, described in five papers. We identified well-organized transition, treatment summary, survivorship care plan, education of GPs and guidelines as necessary components of successful follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Scarcity of literature necessitated a review rather than a meta-analysis. More research on the outcomes of GP-led care is necessary to confirm the model for follow-up of childhood cancer survivors in the long term. However, with the necessary elements in place, the model of GP-led follow-up, and shared care in particular, holds promise.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH): guidelines for diagnosis, clinical work-up, and treatment for patients till the age of 18 years

These guidelines for the management of patients up to 18 years with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) have been set up by a group of experts involved in the Euro Histio Net project who participated in national or international studies and in peer reviewed publications. Existing guidelines were reviewed and changed where new evidence was available in the literature up to 2012. Data and publications have been ranked according to evidence based medicine and when there was a lack of published data, consensus between experts was sought. Guidelines for diagnosis, initial clinical work-up, and treatment and long-term follow-up of LCH patients are presented.

The use of cancer treatment summaries and care plans among Massachusetts physicians

PURPOSE

Cancer survivorship presents many challenges for affected individuals and their health care providers. Reports from The Institute of Medicine document these challenges and recommend the use of survivorship treatment summaries and care plans to improve communication and coordination of care for cancer survivors. The purpose of our study was to assess current use of treatment summaries and care plans in Massachusetts and identify obstacles to greater use.

METHODS

A survey was mailed to cancer specialist physicians (CSPs) and primary care physicians (PCPs) in Massachusetts. The survey asked CSPs about their preparation of treatment summaries and care plans for their cancer survivor patients and perceived barriers to the provision of these documents. PCPs were asked about receipt and utility of treatment summaries and care plans and information they would like to see in these reports.

RESULTS

One hundred eight CSPs and 400 PCPs answered the survey. Fifty-six percent of CSPs reported that they, or their staff, prepared treatment summaries for their cancer survivor patients; however, only 14% reported preparing care plans. Fifty-four percent of PCPs reported ever receiving a treatment summary, but only 16% ever received a care plan. CSPs cited lack of training, reimbursement, and templates as barriers to preparing care plans.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions are needed to make treatment summaries and care plans a part of standard care for all cancer survivors. Increasing the use of treatment summaries and care plans will require specific training and reimbursement and may be facilitated by templates that capture automated data.

Cancer survivorship practices, services, and delivery: a report from the Children's Oncology Group (COG) nursing discipline, adolescent/young adult, and late effects committees

PURPOSE

To describe survivorship services provided by the Children's Oncology Group (COG), an assessment of services was undertaken. Our overall aims were (1) to describe survivorship services, including the extent of services provided, resources (personnel, philanthropy, and research funding), billing practices, and barriers to care and 2) to describe models of care that are in use for childhood cancer survivors and adult survivors of childhood cancer.

METHODS

One hundred seventy-nine of 220 COG institutions (81%) completed an Internet survey in 2007.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-five (87%) reported providing survivorship care. Fifty-nine percent of institutions provide care for their pediatric population in specialized late effects programs. For adult survivors, 47% of institutions chose models of care, which included transitioning to adult providers for risk-based health care, while 44% of institutions keep survivors indefinitely at the treating institution (Cancer Center Based Model without Community Referral). Sixty-eight percent provide survivors with a copy of their survivorship care plan. Only 31% of institutions provide a detailed summary of results after each clinic visit, and 41% have a database to track survivor health outcomes. Minimal time required for initial and annual survivorship visits is estimated to be approximately 120 and 90 min, respectively. The most prevalent barriers to care were the lack of dedicated time for program development and a perceived insufficient knowledge on the part of the clinician receiving the transition referral.

CONCLUSIONS

Not all COG institutions provide dedicated survivorship care, care plans, or have databases for tracking outcomes. Transitioning to adult providers is occurring within the COG. Survivorship care is time intensive.