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Hogan JS, Orav EJ, Vapiwala N, Lam MB. Sociodemographic and geographic factors impacting radiotherapy recommendation, initiation, and completion for patients with cancer. Cancer 2024. [PMID: 39233389 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of patients with cancer receive radiotherapy, which often requires daily treatments for several weeks. The impact of geographic and sociodemographic factors on the odds of patients with cancer being recommended radiotherapy, starting radiotherapy, and completing radiotherapy is not well understood. METHODS This was a retrospective patient cohort study that included patients diagnosed with one of the 10 most common solid cancers from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021, in the National Cancer Database. The primary predictor was radial distance from a patient's home to their cancer treatment hospital. Other covariates included baseline patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities, metastatic disease, cancer site), sociodemographic characteristics (race, ethnicity, median income quartile, insurance status), geographic region, and facility type. The three primary outcomes were being recommended radiotherapy, starting recommended radiotherapy, and completing radiotherapy. RESULTS Of the 3,068,919 patients included, patients living >50 miles away had lower odds of being recommended radiotherapy than those living <10 miles away. Compared to White patients, Asian and Hispanic patients had lower odds of being recommended radiotherapy, and Black patients had lower odds of starting recommended radiotherapy. Uninsured patients, those with Medicaid or Medicare, and patients in lower median income quartiles had lower odds of starting or completing radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Geographic and sociodemographic factors impact access to radiotherapy at different levels in cancer care and understanding these factors could aid policymakers and practices in identifying and supporting at-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S Hogan
- Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - E John Orav
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Neha Vapiwala
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Miranda B Lam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Wu VS, Khlopin M, Chadha M, Smith-Graziani DJ, Jagsi R, McClelland S. Out-of-Pocket Cost Modeling of Adjuvant Antiestrogen and Radiation Therapy After Lumpectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Across Medicaid and Medicare Plans. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:1379-1385. [PMID: 38432284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The optimal adjuvant therapy (antiestrogen therapy [ET] + radiation therapy or ET alone, or in some reports radiation therapy alone) in older women with early-stage breast cancer has been highly debated. However, granular details on the role of insurance in the out-of-pocket cost for patients receiving ET with or without radiation therapy are lacking. This project disaggregates out-of-pocket costs by insurance plans to increase treatment cost transparency. METHODS AND MATERIALS Several radiation therapy schedules are accepted standards as per the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. For our financial estimate model, we used the 5-fraction and 15-fraction radiation therapy and ET prescribed over a 5-year duration. The total aggregate out-of-pocket costs were determined from the sum of treatment costs, deductibles, and copays/coinsurance based on Medicaid, Original Medicare, Medigap Plan G, and Medicare Part D Rx plans. The model assumes a Medicare- and/or Medicaid-eligible patient ≥70 years of age with node-negative, early-stage estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Patient out-of-pocket costs were estimated from publicly available insurance data from plan-specific benefit coverage materials using a 5-year time horizon. RESULTS Original Medicare beneficiaries face a total out-of-pocket treatment charge of $2738.52 for ET alone, $2221.26 for 5-fraction radiation therapy alone, $2573.92 for 15-fraction radiation therapy alone, $3361.26 for combined ET+ 5-fraction radiation therapy, and $3713.92 for combined ET + 15-fraction radiation therapy. Medigap Plan G beneficiaries have an out-of-pocket charge of $1130.00 with radiation therapy alone and face an out-of-pocket of $2270.00 for ET alone and combined ET+ radiation therapy. For Medicaid beneficiaries, all treatments approved by Medicaid are covered without limit, resulting in no out-of-pocket expense for either adjuvant treatment option. CONCLUSIONS This model (based on actual cost estimates per insurance plan rather than claims data), by estimating expenses within Medicare and Medicaid plans, provides a level of transparency to patient cost. With knowledge of the costs borne by patients themselves, treatment decisions informed by patients' individual priorities and preferences may be further enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Martha Khlopin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Manjeet Chadha
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Demetria J Smith-Graziani
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Reshma Jagsi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shearwood McClelland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
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3
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Sanchez-Feliciano A, Onyewadume L, Stephens MJ, Flores LE, Cheatham C, McClelland S. Validation of Spanish-Language Surveys Utilized for the Navigator-Assisted Hypofractionation (NAVAH) Program to Aid Hispanic-American Breast Cancer Patients. Am J Clin Oncol 2024:00000421-990000000-00220. [PMID: 39056281 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000001137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cancer accounts for 22% of all mortality and is the leading cause of death among Hispanic and/or Latinx patients in the United States. The disparities in access to radiation therapy (RT), mortality rates, and treatment outcomes among Hispanic-American breast cancer patients compared with other populations highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions. The Navigator-Assisted Hypofractionation (NAVAH) program, with its innovative patient navigation approach and culturally sensitive survey, aims to better identify the specific barriers faced by this population. This study is a report of the NAVAH program experience piloting a Spanish-language culturally sensitive survey in Hispanic-American volunteers. METHODS Hispanic-American volunteers with fluency in Spanish were recruited to participate in survey conduction, identified from local networks. Survey information was assessed by topic category, and survey responses were amalgamated into a representative score for each category. Survey categories include acceptability (comfort and prejudice among interactions with the system), accessibility (transportation, distance to care, and health care literacy), accommodation (access to the internet, navigating transportation), affordability (financial considerations, employment, and level of education), and availability (access to a medical center, coordinating care, and overall quality of care). RESULTS A total of 6 volunteers meeting inclusion criteria completed the survey; 4 in person and 2 by telephone. The median survey completion time was 12 minutes 38 seconds. Respondents noted satisfaction and trust in their interactions with medical providers; however, responses in the acceptability category highlighted a high perception of disparities in the medical system, including a high prevalence of racial and ethnic prejudice and a high prevalence of treatment differences between high-income and low-income patients in clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS In the first Spanish-language survey of its kind, our findings indicate that this survey design is feasible in the Hispanic-American population. Implementation of this survey in breast cancer patients will provide more definitive and comprehensive answers regarding other categories in the survey, including financial challenges during treatment, access to accommodations, and perception of treatment during cancer care. The investigation involving patients actively receiving breast cancer RT is currently underway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louisa Onyewadume
- Departments of Radiation Oncology
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | | | - Laura E Flores
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Allied Health Professions, Omaha, NE
| | | | - Shearwood McClelland
- Departments of Radiation Oncology
- Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
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4
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Nosrati JD, Ma D, Bloom B, Kapur A, Sidiqi BU, Thakur R, Tchelebi LT, Herman JM, Adair N, Potters L, Chen WC. Treatment Terminations During Radiation Therapy: A 10-Year Experience. Pract Radiat Oncol 2024:S1879-8500(24)00142-5. [PMID: 38972541 DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Patients undergoing radiation therapy may terminate treatment for any number of reasons. The incidence of treatment termination (TT) during radiation therapy has not been studied. Herein, we present a cohort of TT at a large multicenter radiation oncology department over 10 years. METHODS AND MATERIALS TTs between January 2013 and January 2023 were prospectively analyzed as part of an ongoing departmental quality and safety program. TT was defined as any premature discontinuation of therapy after initiating radiation planning. The rate of TT was calculated as a percentage of all patients starting radiation planning. All cases were presented at monthly morbidity and mortality conferences with a root cause reviewed. RESULTS A total of 1448 TTs were identified out of 31,199 planned courses of care (4.6%). Six hundred eighty-six (47.4%) involved patients treated with curative intent, whereas 753 (52.0%) were treated with palliative intent, and 9 (0.6%) were treated for benign disease. The rate of TT decreased from 8.49% in 2013 to 3.02% in 2022, with rates decreasing yearly. The most common disease sites for TT were central nervous system (21.7%), head and neck (19.3%), thorax (17.5%), and bone (14.2%). The most common causes of TT were hospice and/or patient expiration (35.9%), patient choice unrelated to toxicity (35.2%), and clinician choice unrelated to toxicity (11.5%). CONCLUSIONS This 10-year prospective review of TTs identified a year-over-year decrease in TTs as a percentage of planned patients. This decrease may be associated with the addition of root cause reviews for TTs and discussions monthly at morbidity and mortality rounds, coupled with departmental upstream quality initiatives implemented over time. Understanding the reasons behind TTs may help decrease preventable TTs. Although some TTs may be unavoidable, open discourse and quality improvement changes effectively reduce TT incidents over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Nosrati
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Daniel Ma
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Beatrice Bloom
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Ajay Kapur
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Baho U Sidiqi
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Richa Thakur
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Leila T Tchelebi
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Joseph M Herman
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Nilda Adair
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Louis Potters
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - William C Chen
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York; Department of Radiation Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York.
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Turkheimer LM, Petroni GR, Berger AC, Schroen AT, Brenin DR, Lazar M, Libby B, Janowski EM, Showalter TN, Showalter SL. Novel Form of Breast Intraoperative Radiation Therapy with CT-Guided High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy: Interim Results of a Prospective Phase-II Clinical Trial. J Am Coll Surg 2024; 238:10-20. [PMID: 37870228 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Precision breast intraoperative radiation therapy (PB-IORT) is a novel method of IORT that uses customized CT-based treatment plans and high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. We conducted a phase-II multi-institution trial to evaluate the efficacy of PB-IORT. STUDY DESIGN Between 2015 and 2022, 3 centers enrolled women aged 45 years and older with invasive or in situ carcinoma measuring 3 cm or smaller and N0 status (n = 358). Breast-conserving surgery was performed, and a multilumen balloon catheter was placed in the lumpectomy bed. CT images were used to create customized HDR brachytherapy plans that delivered 12.5 Gy to the tumor bed. The primary outcome assessed was the 5-year rate of index quadrant tumor recurrence. An interim analysis was conducted after one-third of eligible participants completed 5 years of follow-up. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02400658). RESULTS The cohort comprised 153 participants with a median age of 64 years and median follow-up time of 5.9 years. The estimated 5-year index quadrant tumor recurrence rate and overall survival were 5.08% (95% CI 2.23 to 9.68) and 95.1%, respectively. Locoregional (ipsilateral breast and axilla) and distant recurrence rates were each 1.96%. Seven deaths occurred during the first 5 years of follow-up, with only 1 attributable to breast cancer. Overall, 68.6% of patients experienced any adverse effects, and 4 cases of breast-related severe toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS This study presents the results of a planned interim analysis of a phase-II trial investigating PB-IORT and demonstrates the efficacy and safety of single-fraction, CT-based, HDR brachytherapy after breast-conserving surgery. These findings provide valuable insights into the use of PB-IORT as a treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena M Turkheimer
- From the Departments of Surgery (Turkheimer, Schroen, Brenin, SL Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Gina R Petroni
- Division of Translational Research and Applied Statistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA (Petroni)
| | - Adam C Berger
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (Berger)
| | - Anneke T Schroen
- From the Departments of Surgery (Turkheimer, Schroen, Brenin, SL Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - David R Brenin
- From the Departments of Surgery (Turkheimer, Schroen, Brenin, SL Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Melissa Lazar
- Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (Lazar)
| | - Bruce Libby
- Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL (Libby)
| | - Einsley M Janowski
- Radiation Oncology (Janowski, TN Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Timothy N Showalter
- Radiation Oncology (Janowski, TN Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Shayna L Showalter
- From the Departments of Surgery (Turkheimer, Schroen, Brenin, SL Showalter), University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
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Fefferman A, Beaulieu-Jones BR, Shewmaker G, Zhang T, Sachs T, Merrill A, Ko NY, Cassidy MR. Association of Race, Ethnicity, Insurance, and Language and Rate of Breast-Conserving Therapy Among Women With Nonmetastatic Breast Cancer at an Urban, Safety-Net Hospital. J Surg Res 2023; 291:403-413. [PMID: 37517348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast-conserving therapy (BCT), specifically breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiation, provides an equivalent alternative to mastectomy for eligible patients. However, previous studies have shown that BCT is underused in the United States, particularly among marginalized demographic groups. In this study, we examine the association between race, ethnicity, insurance, and language and rate of BCS among patients treated at an academic, safety-net hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 520 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer diagnosed and treated at an academic, safety-net hospital (2009-2014). We assessed eligibility for BCT and then differences in the rate of BCT among eligible patients by race, ethnicity, insurance, and language. Reasons for not undergoing BCT were documented. RESULTS Median age was 60 y; 55.9% were non-White, 31.9% were non-English-speaking, 15.6% were Hispanic, and 47.4% were Medicaid/uninsured. Three hundred seventy one (86.3%) underwent BCS; within this group, 324 (87.3%) completed adjuvant radiation. Among patients undergoing mastectomy, 30 patients (36.7%) were eligible for BCT; within this group, reasons for mastectomy included patient preference (n = 28) and to avoid possible re-excision or adjuvant radiation in patients with significant comorbidities (n = 2). Eligibility for BCT varied by ethnicity (Hispanic [100%], Non-Hispanic [92%], P = 0.02), but not race, language, or insurance. Among eligible patients, rate of BCS varied by age (<50 y [84.9%], ≥50 y [92.9%], P = 0.01) and ethnicity (Hispanic [98.5%], Non-Hispanic [91.3%], P = 0.04), but not race, language, or insurance. CONCLUSIONS At our safety-net hospital, the rate of BCS among eligible patients did not vary by race, language, or insurance. Excluding two highly comorbid patients, all patients who underwent mastectomy despite being eligible for BCT were counseled regarding BCS and expressed a preference for mastectomy. Further research is needed to understand the value of BCT in the treatment of breast cancer, to ensure informed decision-making, address potential misconceptions regarding BCT, and advance equitable care for all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Fefferman
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brendin R Beaulieu-Jones
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Tina Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Teviah Sachs
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Section of Surgical Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Merrill
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Section of Hematology & Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Naomi Y Ko
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Section of Hematology & Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael R Cassidy
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; Section of Surgical Oncology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts.
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7
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Halpern MT, McNeel TS, Kozono D, Mollica MA. Association of Patient Experience of Care and Radiation Therapy Initiation Among Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Pract Radiat Oncol 2023; 13:434-443. [PMID: 37150319 PMCID: PMC10524855 DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE For women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy (RT) has been a guideline-recommended treatment. However, lumpectomy followed by hormonal therapy is also an approved treatment for certain women. It is unclear what patient-driven factors are related to decisions to receive RT. This study examined relationships between patient-reported experience of care, an important dimension of health care quality, and receipt of RT after lumpectomy. METHODS AND MATERIALS We used National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data linked to the CMS Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems patient surveys (SEER-CAHPS) to examine experiences of care among women diagnosed with local/regional stage breast cancer 2000 to 2017 who received lumpectomy, were enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare, completed a CAHPS survey ≤18 months after diagnosis, and survived for this study period. Experience of care was assessed by patient-provided scores for physicians, doctor communication, care coordination, and other aspects of care. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations of receipt of external beam RT with care experience and patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS The study population included 824 women; 655 (79%) received RT. Women with higher experience of care scores for their personal doctor were significantly more likely to have received any RT (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; P = .033). Nonsignificant trends were observed for associations of increased RT with higher CAHPS measures of doctor communications (OR, 1.15; P = .055) and care coordination (OR, 1.24; P = .051). In contrast, women reporting higher scores for Part D prescription drug plans were significantly less likely to have received RT (OR, 0.78; P = .030). CONCLUSIONS Patient experience of care was significantly associated with receipt of RT after lumpectomy among women with breast cancer. Health care organization leaders may want to consider incorporating experience of care into quality improvement initiatives and other activities that aim to improve patient decision-making, care, and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Halpern
- Division of Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | | | - David Kozono
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michelle A Mollica
- Division of Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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8
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Narayanan S, Rao R. To Radiate or Not to Radiate After Breast-Conserving Surgery-Endocrine Therapy is the Question. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:5309-5311. [PMID: 37219655 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-13665-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sumana Narayanan
- Division of Surgical Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, Columbia University, Miami Beach, FL, USA
| | - Roshni Rao
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Beckett M, Goethals L, Kraus RD, Denysenko K, Barone Mussalem Gentiles MF, Pynda Y, Abdel-Wahab M. Proximity to Radiotherapy Center, Population, Average Income, and Health Insurance Status as Predictors of Cancer Mortality at the County Level in the United States. JCO Glob Oncol 2023; 9:e2300130. [PMID: 37769217 PMCID: PMC10581634 DOI: 10.1200/go.23.00130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sufficient radiotherapy (RT) capacity is essential to delivery of high-quality cancer care. However, despite sufficient capacity, universal access is not always possible in high-income countries because of factors beyond the commonly used parameter of machines per million people. This study assesses the barriers to RT in a high-income country and how these affect cancer mortality. METHODS This cross-sectional study used US county-level data obtained from Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Atomic Energy Agency Directory of Radiotherapy Centres. RT facilities in the United States were mapped using Geographic Information Systems software. Univariate analysis was used to identify whether distance to a RT center or various socioeconomic factors were predictive of all-cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR). Significant variables (P ≤ .05) on univariate analysis were included in a step-wise backward elimination method of multiple regression analysis. RESULTS Thirty-one percent of US counties have at least one RT facility and 8.3% have five or more. The median linear distance from a county's centroid to the nearest RT center was 36 km, and the median county all-cancer MIR was 0.37. The amount of RT centers, linear accelerators, and brachytherapy units per 1 million people were associated with all-cancer MIR (P < .05). Greater distance to RT facilities, lower county population, lower average income per county, and higher proportion of patients without health insurance were associated with increased all-cancer MIR (R-squared, 0.2113; F, 94.22; P < .001). CONCLUSION This analysis used unique high-quality data sets to identify significant barriers to RT access that correspond to higher cancer mortality at the county level. Geographic access, personal income, and insurance status all contribute to these concerning disparities. Efforts to address these barriers are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luc Goethals
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Vijayakumar S, Nittala MR, Buddala V, Mobit P, Duggar WN, Yang CC, Lirette ST, Mundra E, Ahmed HZ, Berry SM, Craft BS, Woods WC, Otts J, Rahimi A, Dobbs T. Real World and Public Health Perspectives of Intraoperative Radiotherapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Analysis Beyond the Statistical Facts. Cureus 2023; 15:e36432. [PMID: 37025715 PMCID: PMC10072193 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast conservation therapy (BCT) (usually a lumpectomy plus radiotherapy (RT)) has become a standard alternative to radical mastectomy in early-stage breast cancers with equal, if not higher, survival rates. The established standard of the RT component of the BCT had been about six weeks of Monday through Friday external beam RT to the whole breast (WBRT). Recent clinical trials have shown that partial breast radiation therapy (PBRT) to the region surrounding the lumpectomy cavity with shorter courses can result in equal local control, survival, and slightly improved cosmetic outcomes. Intraoperative RT (IORT) wherein RT is administered at the time of operation for BCT to the lumpectomy cavity as a single-fraction RT is also considered PBRT. The advantage of IORT is that weeks of RT are avoided. However, the role of IORT as part of BCT has been controversial. The extreme views go from "I will not recommend to anyone" to "I can recommend to all early-stage favorable patients." These divergent views are due to difficulty in interpreting the clinical trial results. There are two modalities of delivering IORT, namely, the use of low-energy 50 kV beams or electron beams. There are several retrospective, prospective, and two randomized clinical trials comparing IORT versus WBRT. Yet, the opinions are divided. In this paper, we try to bring clarity and consensus from a highly broad-based multidisciplinary team approach. The multidisciplinary team included breast surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, biostatisticians, public health experts, nurse practitioners, and medical oncologists. We show that there is a need to more carefully interpret and differentiate the data based on electron versus low-dose X-ray modalities; the randomized study results have to be extremely carefully dissected from biostatistical points of view; the importance of the involvement of patients and families in the decision making in a very transparent and informed manner needs to be emphasized; and the compromise some women may be willing to accept between 2-4% potential increase in local recurrence (as interpreted by some of the investigators in IORT randomized studies) versus mastectomy. We conclude that, ultimately, the choice should be that of women with detailed facts of the pros and cons of all options being presented to them from the angle of patient/family-focused care. Although the guidelines of various professional societies can be helpful, they are only guidelines. The participation of women in IORT clinical trials is still needed, and as genome-based and omics-based fine-tuning of prognostic fingerprints evolve, the current guidelines need to be revisited. Finally, the use of IORT can help rural, socioeconomically, and infrastructure-deprived populations and geographic regions as the convenience of single-fraction RT and the possibility of breast preservation are likely to encourage more women to choose BCT than mastectomy. This option can also likely lead to more women choosing to get screened for breast cancer, thus enabling the diagnosis of breast cancer at an earlier stage and improving the survival outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mary R Nittala
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Vedanth Buddala
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Paul Mobit
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - William N Duggar
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Claus Chunli Yang
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | | | - Eswar Mundra
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Hiba Z Ahmed
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Scott M Berry
- Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Barbara S Craft
- Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - William C Woods
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Jeremy Otts
- Radiation Oncology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
| | - Asal Rahimi
- Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
| | - Thomas Dobbs
- Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA
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11
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Kraus RD, Weil CR, Abdel-Wahab M. Benefits of Adopting Hypofractionated Radiotherapy as a Standard of Care in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. JCO Glob Oncol 2022; 8:e2200215. [PMID: 36525619 PMCID: PMC10166538 DOI: 10.1200/go.22.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan D Kraus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Christopher R Weil
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - May Abdel-Wahab
- Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Silverstein MJ, Epstein MS, Chen P, Lin K, Khan S, Snyder L, Coleman C, Guerra L, Dehkordi-Vakil F, Kim B. Recurrence and Survival Rates for 1400 Early Breast Tumors Treated with Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT). Ann Surg Oncol 2022; 29:3726-3736. [PMID: 35066721 PMCID: PMC8783657 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-11295-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) permits accurate delivery of radiation therapy directly to the tumor bed. We report local, regional, and distant recurrence data along with overall and breast cancer-specific survival for 1400 tumors treated with x-ray IORT. Methods A total of 1367 patients with 1400 distinct tumors were enrolled in a registry trial. All received breast conservation surgery and low-energy 50 kV x-ray IORT. To be eligible for excision plus IORT as the only local treatment, histopathology had to confirm tumor size ≤30 mm, margins ≥2 mm, negative lymph nodes, and no extensive lymphovascular invasion. Patients who failed any parameters were referred for additional surgery and/or whole breast radiation therapy (WBRT). Results There were 64 ipsilateral local recurrences, 60 were in the IORT only group, 7 axillary recurrences, and 7 distant recurrences. Forty-one local recurrences were within the same quadrant as the index cancer. Twenty-three were in different quadrants. With 62 months of median follow-up, the 5-year Kaplan–Meier probability of any event for all 1400 tumors was 5.27%. For 1175 patients who received IORT only, it was 5.98%. For favorable subtypes, it ranged from 2.41 to 4.31%. Multivariate analysis revealed that biologic subtype luminal A and the addition of WBRT significantly reduced the risk of local recurrence. Conclusions The local, regional, and distant recurrence rates observed were comparable to those reported in the literature for IORT but higher than those reported for standard forms of WBRT, hypofractionated treatment, or APBI. IORT benefits include convenience, decreased exposure to medical environments, and low complication rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin J Silverstein
- Department of Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA.
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Melinda S Epstein
- Hoag Department of Clinical Research, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Peter Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Kevin Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Sadia Khan
- Department of Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Lincoln Snyder
- Department of Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Colleen Coleman
- Department of Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Lisa Guerra
- Department of Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
| | - Farideh Dehkordi-Vakil
- Center for Statistical Consulting, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Brian Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA, 92663, USA
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