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Tsang M, LeBlanc TW. Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Hematologic Malignancies: Progress and Opportunities. JCO Oncol Pract 2024; 20:739-741. [PMID: 38478797 DOI: 10.1200/op.24.00081] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
@JCOOP_ASCO editorial on unique needs of end-of-life care for different blood cancers discusses: #pallheme improves QOL but less utilized in cancers. Contextualize Weisse et al study. More #pallheme research needed for lymphoma and myeloma in era of cell therapy.
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Kim DH, Youk J, Byun JM, Koh Y, Hong J, Kim TM, Kim I, Yoon SS, Yoo SH, Shin DY. Effects of tertiary palliative care on the pattern of end-of-life care in patients with hematologic malignancies in Korea. Eur J Haematol 2024; 112:743-755. [PMID: 38154958 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) often face challenges in accessing palliative care (PC) and receiving quality end-of-life (EOL) care. We examined factors associated with referrals to tertiary PC and the effects of tertiary PC on EOL care in patients with HMs. METHOD We included patients with HMs who were admitted to a university-affiliated hospital and died during hospitalization between January 2018 and December 2021. We investigated the receipt of PC consultations, patient characteristics, and EOL care indicators. RESULTS Overall, 487 patients were included in the analysis, with 156 (32%) undergoing PC consultation. Sex, residence, disease status, and admission purpose were factors associated with the likelihood of PC consultation, and there has been an increasing trend in the frequency of consultations in recent cases. A higher proportion of patients who received PC completed advance statements and life-sustaining treatment documents. Patients who received PC had lower rates of aggressive EOL care, including chemotherapy and intensive care unit admission, than those who did not receive PC. Notably, PC reduced the number of blood transfusions. CONCLUSION Tertiary PC aims to reduce aggressive EOL care through patient-centered goal-of-care discussions. Therefore, there is an imperative need for concerted efforts toward seamless integration of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghwan Youk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Min Byun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngil Koh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Medical Innovation, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junshik Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Medical Innovation, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Inho Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin Hye Yoo
- Center for Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Yeop Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Medical Innovation, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Gebel C, Ditscheid B, Meissner F, Slotina E, Kruschel I, Marschall U, Wedding U, Freytag A. Utilization and quality of palliative care in patients with hematological and solid cancers: a population-based study. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:191. [PMID: 38607376 PMCID: PMC11014814 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative care (PC) contributes to improved end-of-life care for patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) and solid tumors (ST) by addressing physical and psychological symptoms and spiritual needs. Research on PC in HM vs. ST patients is fragmented and suggests less use. METHODS We analyzed claims data of all deceased members of a large German health insurance provider for the year before death. First, we analyzed the frequency and the beginning of different types of PC and compared patients with HM vs. ST. Second, we analyzed the adjusted impact of PC use on several end-of-life quality outcomes in patients with HM vs. ST. We performed simple and multiple (logistic) regression analysis, adjusted for relevant covariates, and standardized for age and sex. RESULTS Of the 222,493 deceased cancer patients from 2016 to 2020, we included 209,321 in the first analysis and 165,020 in the second analysis. Patients with HM vs. ST received PC less often (40.4 vs. 55.6%) and later (34 vs. 50 days before death). PC use significantly improved all six quality indicators for good end-of-life care. HM patients had worse rates in five of the six indicators compared with ST patients. Interaction terms revealed that patients with ST derived greater benefit from PC in five of six quality indicators than those with HM. CONCLUSION The data highlight the need to integrate PC more often, earlier, and more effectively into the care of patients with HM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cordula Gebel
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), Jena, Deutschland.
| | - Bianka Ditscheid
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Franziska Meissner
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Slotina
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Isabel Kruschel
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), Jena, Deutschland
| | | | - Ullrich Wedding
- Department of Palliative Care, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), Jena, Deutschland
| | - Antje Freytag
- Institute of General Practice, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
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Tsang M, Bischoff K, Schoenbeck KL, Berry K, O’Riordan D, Fakhri B, Wong SW, Shah N, Olin R, Andreadis C, Vieaux J, Cohen E, Lopez NS, Mannis GN, Rabow M. Value of embedded palliative care: outpatient palliative care and health care utilization for patients with hematologic malignancies. Blood Adv 2023; 7:3146-3149. [PMID: 36809787 PMCID: PMC10362539 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mazie Tsang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kara Bischoff
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kelly L. Schoenbeck
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Kim Berry
- Executive Finance Consultant, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - David O’Riordan
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Bita Fakhri
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Sandy W. Wong
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nina Shah
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rebecca Olin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Charalambos Andreadis
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jules Vieaux
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Eve Cohen
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nancy Shepard Lopez
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Gabriel N. Mannis
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Michael Rabow
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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McInturf G, Younger K, Sanchez C, Walde C, Abdallah AO, Ahmed N, Shune L, Sborov DW, Godara A, McClune B, Sinclair CT, Mohyuddin GR. Palliative care utilization, transfusion burden, and end-of-life care for patients with multiple myeloma. Eur J Haematol 2022; 109:559-565. [PMID: 36054450 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13843] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite treatment advances, multiple myeloma (MM) remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine specialist palliative care (SPC) involvement and end-of-life care for patients with MM. METHODS We assessed all deceased patients with a diagnosis of MM who received care at a single institution from January 2010 to December 2019 and assessed SPC involvement. RESULTS We reviewed 456 deceased patients. Overall, 207 patients (45.4%) received SPC visits by clinicians during their disease, and 153 (33.5%) were on MM treatment in the month before death. Median time from SPC consultation to death was 1 month, with 42 (9.2%) of patients receiving SPC visits 6 or more months before death. Amongst the patients for which a place of death was reported (351), 117 (33.3%) died in the acute care setting. Outpatient SPC did not correlate with a reduction of death in the acute care setting. In the group of patients who received outpatient SPC, 22/84 (26.2%) died in an acute care setting, whereas 95/267 (35.5%) patients who did not receive outpatient SPC also died in an acute care setting, (p = .11). CONCLUSION In our analysis of the entire trajectory of the MM patient experience from diagnosis to death, we found low rates of SPC involvement and a significant proportion of patients receiving aggressive care at end-of-life. While there is no clear correlation that SPC involvement impacted the rate of acute care deaths or decreased utilization of MM treatment in the last month of life, further prospective research on optimal utilization of SPC is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey McInturf
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Kimberly Younger
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Courtney Sanchez
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Charles Walde
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Al-Ola Abdallah
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Nausheen Ahmed
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Leyla Shune
- School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Douglas W Sborov
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Amandeep Godara
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Brian McClune
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - Ghulam Rehman Mohyuddin
- Division of Hematology, Huntsman Cancer Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Pasquarella AV, Islam S, Ramdhanny A, Gendy M, Pinto P, Braunstein MJ. Outcomes of Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Who Received Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e688-e696. [PMID: 34986010 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Palliative care (PC) plays an established role in improving outcomes in patients with solid tumors, yet these services are underutilized in hematologic malignancies (HMs). We reviewed records of hospitalized patients with active HM to determine associations between PC consultation and length of stay, intensive care unit stay, 30-day readmission, and 6-month mortality compared with those who were not seen by PC. METHODS We reviewed all oncology admissions at our institution between 2013 and 2019 and included patients with HM actively on treatment, stratified by those seen by PC to controls not seen by PC. Groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests on the basis of the type and distribution of data. Multiple logistic regression models with stepwise variable selection methods were used to find predictors of outcomes. RESULTS Three thousand six hundred fifty-four admissions were reviewed, among which 370 unique patients with HM were included. Among these, 102 (28%) patients saw PC, whereas the remaining 268 were controls with similar comorbidities. When compared with controls, PC consultation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in 30-day readmissions (16% v 27%; P = .024), increased length of stay (11.5 v 6 days; P < .001), increased intensive care unit admission (28% v 9%; P < .001), and increased 6-month mortality (67% v 15%; P < .001). These data were confirmed in multivariable models. CONCLUSION In this retrospective study, more than two thirds of patients with HM did not receive PC consultation despite having similar comorbidities, suggesting that inpatient PC consultation is underutilized in patients with HM, despite the potential for decreased readmission rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony V Pasquarella
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology-Hematology, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, Mineola, NY
| | - Shahidul Islam
- Department of Biostatistics, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Angela Ramdhanny
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology-Hematology, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, Mineola, NY
| | - Mina Gendy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology-Hematology, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, Mineola, NY
| | - Priya Pinto
- Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Care, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Marc J Braunstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology-Hematology, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center, Mineola, NY
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Pelcovits A, Olszewski AJ, Decker D, Guyer D, Leblanc TW, Egan P. Impact of Early Palliative Care on End-of-Life Outcomes in Hematologic Malignancies. J Palliat Med 2021; 25:556-561. [PMID: 34842462 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) receive more disease directed care at the end of life (EOL) and often die in the hospital. The impact of early palliative care (PC) consultation on EOL quality outcomes in HMs has not been well described. Objectives: In 2017 we embedded a PC specialist within our inpatient malignant hematology team at our hospital in Providence, Rhode Island to facilitate the use of early PC. We sought to determine if this practice was accompanied by a shift in EOL outcomes. Design/Setting: We conducted a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at our institution in the two years before (Cohort A) and after (Cohort B) insertion of a PC specialist. We identified patients who received a PC consultation and whether it was early or late. We then examined EOL quality outcomes: hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in the last 30 days of life, chemotherapy use in the last 14 days of life, use of hospice, and death out of hospital. Results: Among 139 AML patients, 46 in Cohort A and 93 in Cohort B, we identified 34 and 47 decedents in each cohort, respectively. There was no significant improvement in EOL outcomes between Cohort A and B or among patients receiving early PC (p > 0.05); however, PC in general across all cohorts was associated with significant increase in hospice use and fewer ICU admissions (p = 0.016 and 0.0043, respectively). Conclusion: Earlier PC consultation in AML was not significantly associated with improvement in EOL quality outcomes; however, PC use in general was with improvement in use of hospice and ICU utilization. Further studies are needed to more definitively examine the relationship between early PC and EOL outcomes in patients with HMs and to examine non EOL outcomes such as patient experience and quality-of-life measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Pelcovits
- Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Adam J Olszewski
- Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Dana Guyer
- Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Thomas W Leblanc
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pamela Egan
- Department of Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Division of Hematology-Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Optimal timing for hospice-shared care initiation in terminal cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2021; 29:6871-6880. [PMID: 34014407 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06284-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The existing concept suggests early palliative and hospice therapy for a better quality of care (QOC) and less medical expense in terminal cancer patients, but the time points of "early" initiation were defined by pre-set study protocol rather than the real-world data. The study aimed to determine the optimal timing of initiating palliative care for patients with terminal cancer. METHODS This retrospective population-based study was conducted using a nationwide database. We extracted patients with cancer who were in their last year of lives in the period from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2013 and categorized them into two groups ("hospice-shared care" (HSC) group and "usual care" (UC) group) after a matching process. Subsequently, we used a generalized linear mixed-effects model to compare the QOC and medical expenses between groups. RESULTS After the selection and matching process, we enrolled 1714 patients (67.7 ± 13.2 years, 62.7% male) categorized into the HSC and UC groups (n = 857 in each group). The HSC groups showed generally better QOC in the four indices (with emergency room visit, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and receiving chemotherapy) than the UC group in those who initiated HSC 8-60 days before death. The HSC group also had significantly lower medical expenses than the UC group in those who initiated HSC 15-90 days before death. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with terminal cancer, HSC initiation before the last 8 days and 15 days of lives can effectively improve QOC and save medical expenses, respectively.
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Kuczmarski TM, Odejide OO. Goal of a "Good Death" in End-of-Life Care for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies-Are We Close? Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2021; 16:117-125. [PMID: 33864180 DOI: 10.1007/s11899-021-00629-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The medical field has a critical role not only in prolonging life but also in helping patients achieve a good death. Early studies assessing end-of-life quality indicators to capture if a good death occurred demonstrated low rates of hospice use and high rates of intensive healthcare utilization near death among patients with hematologic malignancies, raising concerns about the quality of death. In this review, we examine trends in end-of-life care for patients with hematologic malignancies to determine if we are close to the goal of a good death. RECENT FINDINGS Several cohort studies show that patients with blood cancers are often inadequately prepared for the dying process due to late goals of care discussions and they experience low rates of palliative and hospice care. More recent analyses of population-based data demonstrate some improvements over time, with significantly more patients receiving palliative care, enrolling in hospice, and having the opportunity to die at home compared to a decade ago. These encouraging trends are paradoxically accompanied by concomitant increases in late hospice enrollment and intensive healthcare utilization near death. Although we are closer to the goal of a good death for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is ample room for growth. To close the gap between the current state of care and a good death, we need research that engages patients, caregivers, hematologic oncologists, and policy-makers to develop innovative interventions that improve timeliness of goals of care discussions, expand palliative care integration, and increase hospice use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Kuczmarski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oreofe O Odejide
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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10
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Labudde EJ, DeGroote NP, Smith S, Ebelhar J, Allen KE, Castellino SM, Wasilewski‐Masker K, Brock KE. Evaluating palliative opportunities in pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma. Cancer Med 2021; 10:2714-2722. [PMID: 33754498 PMCID: PMC8026931 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.3862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite favorable prognoses, pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies experience significant challenges that may lead to diminished quality of life or family stress. They are less likely to receive subspecialty palliative care (PC) consultation and often undergo intensive end-of-life (EOL) care. We examined "palliative opportunities," or events when the integration of PC would have the greatest impact, present during a patient's hematologic malignancy course and relevant associations. METHODS A single-center retrospective review was conducted on patients aged 0-18 years with a hematologic malignancy who died between 1/1/12 and 11/30/17. Demographic, disease, and treatment data were collected. A priori, nine palliative opportunity categories were defined. Descriptive statistics were performed. Palliative opportunities were evaluated over temporal quartiles from diagnosis to death. Timing and rationale of pediatric PC consultation were evaluated. RESULTS Patients (n = 92) had a median of 5.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 6.0) palliative opportunities, incurring 522 total opportunities, increasing toward the EOL. Number and type of opportunities did not differ by demographics. PC consultation was most common in patients with lymphoid leukemia (50.9%, 28/55) and myeloid leukemia (48.5%, 16/33) versus lymphoma (0%, 0/4, p = 0.14). Forty-four of ninety-two patients (47.8%) received PC consultation a median of 1.8 months (IQR 4.1) prior to death. Receipt of PC was associated with transplant status (p = 0.0018) and a higher number of prior palliative opportunities (p = 0.0005); 70.3% (367/522) of palliative opportunities occurred without PC. CONCLUSION Patients with hematologic malignancies experience many opportunities warranting PC support. Identifying opportunities for ideal timing of PC involvement may benefit patients with hematologic cancers and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas P. DeGroote
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Susie Smith
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Jonathan Ebelhar
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Kristen E. Allen
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Sharon M. Castellino
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Karen Wasilewski‐Masker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Katharine E. Brock
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of AtlantaAtlantaGAUSA
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
- Department of PediatricsDivision of Pediatric Palliative CareEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
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11
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Di M, Huntington SF, Olszewski AJ. Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Older Patients. Oncologist 2020; 26:120-132. [PMID: 33230948 DOI: 10.1002/onco.13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are diagnosed at age 60 years or older. Challenges to effective therapy among older individuals include unfavorable biologic features of DLBCL, geriatric vulnerabilities, suboptimal treatment selection, and toxicities of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Wider application of geriatric assessments may help identify fit older patients who benefit from standard immunochemotherapy without unnecessary dose reductions. Conversely, attenuated regimens may provide a better balance of risk and benefit for selected unfit or frail patients. Supportive care with the use of corticosteroid-based prephase, prophylactic growth factors, and early institution of supportive and palliative care can help maximize treatment tolerance. Several novel or emerging therapies have demonstrated favorable toxicity profiles, thus facilitating effective treatment for elderly patients. In the relapsed or refractory setting, patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation can benefit from newly approved options including polatuzumab vedotin-based combinations or tafasitamab plus lenalidomide, which may have higher efficacy and/or lower toxicity than historical chemotherapy regimens. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy has been successfully applied to older patients outside of clinical trials. In the first-line setting, emerging immunotherapy options (bispecific antibodies) and targeted therapies (anti-CD20 antibodies combined with lenalidomide and/or B-cell receptor inhibitors) may provide chemotherapy-free approaches for DLBCL. Enrolling older patients in clinical trials will be paramount to fully examine potential efficacy and toxicity of these strategies. In this review, we discuss recent advances in fitness stratification and therapy that have expanded curative options for older patients, as well as future opportunities to improve outcomes in this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in older patients poses challenges due to aggressive disease biology and geriatric vulnerability. Although R-CHOP remains standard first-line treatment, geriatric assessment may help evaluate patients' fitness for immunochemotherapy. Corticosteroid prephase, prophylactic growth factors, and early palliative care can improve tolerance of treatment. Novel salvage options (polatuzumab vedotin-based combinations, tafasitamab plus lenalidomide) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy should be considered in the relapsed or refractory setting for patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Emerging immunotherapies (bispecific antibodies) and targeted therapies provide potential first-line chemotherapy-free approaches, which need to be rigorously assessed in clinical trials that involve geriatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyang Di
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Scott F Huntington
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Adam J Olszewski
- Department of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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LeBlanc TW. Improving end-of-life care for patients with leukemia: is inpatient death the right measure? Leuk Lymphoma 2020; 61:2546-2548. [DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2020.1838510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W. LeBlanc
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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