Cancer survivorship: a challenge for the European oncologists

A systematic review and pooled prevalence of symptoms among childhood and adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the existing literature reporting symptoms in childhood and adolescent and young adult cancer survivors and to meta-analyse the pooled prevalence of symptoms.

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors experience various symptoms caused by cancer treatments and their late effects. These symptoms are associated with adverse health outcomes. However, estimates of symptom prevalence vary largely, and no comprehensive review of symptoms has been conducted for childhood and adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

DESIGN

A systematic review.

METHODS

This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO registry and was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL were searched up to July 2021. Three investigators assessed the eligibility of studies, extracted data and performed quality assessment. The pooled prevalence of symptoms was calculated using a random-effect model. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Sixty-one studies were used to synthesise symptom prevalence, involving 114,184 participants. There were 24 physical symptoms and 10 psychological symptoms reported in two or more studies. The most studied physical symptoms were fatigue and sleep disturbance, and the most studied psychological symptoms were anxiety and depression. Among physical symptoms, drowsiness had the highest prevalence, followed by dry mouth and fatigue. Among psychological symptoms, worry and nervousness had the highest prevalence, followed by difficulty concentrating.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical and psychological symptoms are common in the target population. This review provides an up-to-date overview of symptom prevalence, identifying areas for future research.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Education about possible symptoms related to cancer and its treatment should be given while in treatment. Symptoms should also be monitored throughout the survivorship period. Nurses have a critical role in identifying and making referrals for psychological symptoms as well as promoting preventative strategies that enhance well-being.

MicroRNAs Patterns as Potential Tools for Diagnostic and Prognostic Follow-Up in Cancer Survivorship

Advances in screening methods and pharmacological treatments are increasing the life expectancy of cancer patients. During recent decades, the community of long-term disease-free cancer survivors (LCS) has grown exponentially, raising the issues related to cancer follow-up. Cancer relapse and other cancer-related diseases, as well as lifestyle, influence cancer survival. Recently, the regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in gene expression and their involvement in human diseases, including cancer, has been identified. Extracellular circulating miRNAs (ECmiRNAs) have been found in biological fluids and specific ECmiRNAs have been associated with cancer development and progression or with a therapy response. Here, we focus on the pivotal role of ECmiRNAs as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Then, we discuss the relevance of ECmiRNAs expression in cancer survivors for the identification of specific ECmiRNAs profiles as potential tools to assess cancer outcome and to control LCS follow-up.

Deaths from COPD in patients with cancer: a population-based study

Features of the deaths caused by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in cancer patients remained a controversial issue. This study aimed to characterize the demographic characteristics and mortality rates of the deaths from COPD in patients with cancer. In total, 7,846,370 cancer patients aged 40 years or older in the United States were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1975–2016). Mortality rates and SMRs (standardized mortality ratios) adjusted by age, race, sex, and calendar year were calculated to investigate the risk of COPD deaths in cancer survivors and to compare it with the general population. A total of 119,228 COPD deaths in patients with cancer were recorded, with a mortality rate of 261.5/100,000 person-years, nearly two-fold that of the general population (SMR, 2.17; 95% CI [confidence interval], 2.16–2.18). The proportion of cancer survivors dying from COPD increased from 0.9% in 1975 to 3.4% in 2016. Patients with lung cancer had a higher overall risk (SMR, 9.23; 95% CI, 9.12–9.35) than those with extrapulmonary malignancies. Among all extrapulmonary sites, laryngeal (SMR, 5.54; 95% CI, 5.34–5.75) and esophageal cancers (SMR, 4.33; 95% CI, 4.04–4.63) had the highest SMR. The risk of death from COPD increased with follow-up time.

Patient-reported outcomes and experiences from the perspective of colorectal cancer survivors: meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent in the developed world. Favourable survival rates highlight the need to better understand CRC survivors' experiences of long-term impacts of treatment, which can in turn inform decision making. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise CRC survivors' experiences of long-term impacts on health-related quality of life.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase and PsychINFO from inception to January 2019. Qualitative studies describing CRC survivors' experiences at least 1-year post-treatment were included. Study eligibility, quality assessment (COREQ guidelines), and data synthesis was performed independently by two reviewers and discussed with the study team.

RESULTS

Of 1363 papers retrieved, 20 reporting 15 studies met eligibility. Thematic synthesis produced 12 themes: symptoms, physical, social, psychological and sexual functioning, impact on relationships, informal care needs provided by family/friend, supportive care needs provided by healthcare professional, health care experiences, health behaviour, financial toxicity and occupational experiences. Stoma problems (e.g. leakage, skin irritation) were common in ostomates. Survivors with no/reversed stoma experienced unexpected, long-term altered and unpredictable bowel functioning. Survivors often regulated timing, amount and foods consumed to manage bowel functioning. Less common symptoms included fatigue, impaired sleep and anal pain. Stoma problems and altered bowel functioning impaired survivors' physical, social, sexual and psychological functioning. Cognitive functioning and heredity issues were not reported in any paper.

CONCLUSION

CRC survivors experience ongoing symptoms and functioning impairments more than 1-year post-treatment completion. Many survivors find their own ways to manage symptoms rather than seek professional help. Follow-up care for CRC survivors should integrate screening for long-term effects and provide targeted supportive care.

Who Is a Cancer Survivor? A Systematic Review of Published Definitions

The term "cancer survivor" is commonly used by different persons, clinical institutions, academic bodies, and political organizations although it lacks of a unanimous and detailed definition. The objective of the study is to make a systematic review of published and proposed definitions of "cancer survivor." Utilizing a systematic search strategy with different strings of "cancer survivor," we searched the following databases: Medline (June 1975-June 2015), Scopus (all the years), Web of Science (all the years), Google Scholar (all the years), ERIC (all the years). This review suggests that there is not a unique definition of who is a "cancer survivor" and what is "cancer survivorship." However, the most widely used definition sees cancer survivorship as a process that begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues through the balance of life. This definition highlights psychological and legal patient's needs-as well as medical ones-to receive care and assistance from the beginning and, at the same time, it establishes valid criteria for making scientific and statistical sampling research. The extensive use of the term "cancer survivor" indicates that it is a significant term. This review has been written to outline the state of the art and it invites to reflect on a shared definition that could satisfy both clinical and research aspects. Implication for cancer survivors: this compendium of proposed definitions may improve communication among the many patients and patient organizations that use and work with this term.

Which tools may help physicians in female fertility prediction after autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoma? A pilot study

OBJECTIVE(S)

The report of our experience on fertility preservation and the validation of some tools useful to predict fertility in young females who underwent haematopoietic cell transplantation for their lymphoma.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study involving 17 consecutive women of child-bearing age affected by lymphoma and submitted to haematopoietic cell transplantation in our centre.

RESULTS

We described a high rate of parenthood in our patient series: 5 out of 17 (29%) patients became pregnant and 1 out of 5 had two pregnancies. It is suggestive that only patients who received gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues co-treatment conceaved. Antral follicles number or ovarian volume, ascertained through transvaginal ultrasound before starting treatment, more than anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) value, are tools that may help physicians to better predict fertility in young females of child-bearing age affected by lymphoma who desire to get pregnant after cancer cares.

CONCLUSION(S)

The high rate of maternity we recorded may lead to comfort the young women who hope to become pregnant after cancer cares because pregnancy is possible in a certain percentage of cases even after highly toxic treatments to the ovaries. A higher ovarian volume or a higher number of antral follicles, before treatment start, ensures a greater chance of successful pregnancies. AMH value in lymphoma survivors is not sufficient to guide physicians in fertility predictions.

Survivorship programs and care planning

Formal cancer survivorship care is a growing focus internationally. This article provides a broad overview of the national strategies currently in progress for the development of survivorship programs and care plans within the United States and across Europe. The different approaches taken in their implementation, staffing, and clinical focus are highlighted, with an emphasis on how they are incorporated into various models of care. The considerable variation in making survivorship a formal period of care across countries and health care systems is discussed, including the factors influencing these differences. A review of research focused on the evaluation of definitions and outcomes is provided along with a discussion of important areas requiring future research.

The impact of supportive nursing care on the needs of men with prostate cancer: a study across seven European countries

Background:

Prostate cancer is for many men a chronic disease with a long life expectancy after treatment. The impact of prostate cancer therapy on men has been well defined, however, explanation of the consequences of cancer treatment has not been modelled against the wider variables of long-term health-care provision. The aim of this study was to explore the parameters of unmet supportive care needs in men with prostate cancer in relation to the experience of nursing care.

Methods:

A survey was conducted among a volunteer sample of 1001 men with prostate cancer living in seven European countries.

Results:

At the time of the survey, 81% of the men had some unmet supportive care needs including psychological, sexual and health system and information needs. Logistic regression indicated that lack of post-treatment nursing care significantly predicted unmet need. Critically, men's contact with nurses and/or receipt of advice and support from nurses, for several different aspects of nursing care significantly had an impact on men's outcomes.

Conclusion:

Unmet need is related not only to disease and treatment factors but is also associated with the supportive care men received. Imperative to improving men's treatment outcomes is to also consider the access to nursing and the components of supportive care provided, especially after therapy.

Suicide rates and risk factors among Korean cancer patients, 1993-2005

BACKGROUND

As the number of cancer survivors increases, suicide risk approaches that of the general population. We therefore investigated suicide rates and risk factors among Korean cancer patients.

METHODS

We observed 816,295 cancer patients for 3,007,294 person-years from 1993 to 2005 through a nationwide cancer registry. We calculated their sex- and age-standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and studied suicide risk factors using rate ratios (RR) based on a log-linear Poisson regression model.

RESULTS

Compared with the Korean general population, the suicide rate among cancer patients was high [SMR, 2.00; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.91-2.08]. The rates were highest in the year following the cancer diagnosis (SMR, 3.45; 95% CI, 3.19-3.73) and were still elevated 5 years later (SMR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12-1.36). The clinical groups at highest risk were male pancreas cancer patients (SMR, 6.01; 95% CI, 4.33-8.33) and female lung cancer patients (SMR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.55-4.94). The sociodemographic groups at highest risk were those who had no spouse versus those who were married (RR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.35-1.68), those who were not employed versus those who were (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26-1.54), and those who did not have high school education versus those who had (RR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.30-1.79).

CONCLUSIONS

Korean cancer patients are at increased risk of suicide. Both clinical and sociodemographic factors play a role.

IMPACT

There is a need for social support and suicide prevention strategies for cancer survivors in Korea.

Non-cancer mortality among long-term survivors of adult cancer in Korea: national cancer registry study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the pattern of non-cancer deaths and to determine whether there is excess mortality from non-cancer causes among Korean long-term survivors of adult cancer.

METHODS

We merged national cancer registry data and national death registration data to determine non-cancer death patterns of 243,713 people who were diagnosed with cancer from 1993 to 2000 and who survived > or =5 years. We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by an indirect standardization method.

RESULTS

Of the patient population, 26,498 (10.9%) had died as of December 2005; the cause of death for 6,364 (24.0%) of those was not cancer. The proportion of non-cancer mortality increased with age at diagnosis and correlated with the 5-year survival rate (r = 0.336 for women, 0.571 for men). Although the risk for non-cancer death was lower among long-term survivors in general (SMR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.76-0.80), it was higher among younger survivors (SMR, 1.23-2.50, for those who died before 50) than the general population. Survivors had an elevated suicide rate (SMR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.15-1.42), especially male (SMR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.19-1.53) and stomach cancer survivors (SMR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.14-1.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate medical attention for long-term adult cancer survivors, especially younger survivors, is warranted to prevent premature deaths from non-cancer causes.