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Hughes DT, Reyes-Gastelum D, Ward KC, Hamilton AS, Haymart MR. Barriers to the Use of Active Surveillance for Thyroid Cancer Results of a Physician Survey. Ann Surg 2022; 276:e40-e47. [PMID: 33074908 PMCID: PMC8549720 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine physician-reported use of and barriers to active surveillance for thyroid cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA It is not clear whether active surveillance for thyroid cancer is widely used. METHODS Surgeons and endocrinologists identified by thyroid cancer patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries of Georgia and Los Angeles County were surveyed between 2018 and 2019. Multivariable weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine physician acceptance and use of active surveillance. Results: Of the 654 eligible physicians identified, 448 responded to the survey (69% response rate). The majority (76%) believed that active surveillance was an appropriate management option, but only 44% used it in their practice. Characteristics of physicians who stated that active surveillance was appropriate management, but did not report using it included more years in practice (reference group <10 years in practice): 10 to 19 years [odds ratio, OR 0.50 [95% confidence interval, CI 0.28-0.92]; 20 to 29 years [OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.15-0.62)]; >30 years [OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.15-0.61)] and higher patient volume 11 to 30 patients per year [OR 0.39 (95% CI 0.21 -0.70)] and >50 patients per year [OR 0.33 (95% CI 0.16-0.71)] compared to < 10, with no significant difference in those seeing 31 to 50 patients. Physicians reported multiple barriers to implementing active surveillance including patient does not want (80.3%), loss to follow-up concern (78.4%), more patient worry (57.6%), and malpractice lawsuit concern (50.9%). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE Despite most physicians considering active surveillance to be appropriate management, more than half are not using it. Addressing existing barriers is key to improving uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Hughes
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - David Reyes-Gastelum
- Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kevin C Ward
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Ann S Hamilton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Megan R Haymart
- Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Radhakrishnan A, Reyes-Gastelum D, Abrahamse P, Gay B, Hawley ST, Wallner LP, Chen DW, Hamilton AS, Ward KC, Haymart MR. Physician Specialties Involved in Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Implications for Improving Health Care Disparities. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e1096-e1105. [PMID: 34718629 PMCID: PMC8852205 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Little is known about provider specialties involved in thyroid cancer diagnosis and management. OBJECTIVE Characterize providers involved in diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer. DESIGN/SETTING/PARTICIPANTS We surveyed patients with differentiated thyroid cancer from the Georgia and Los Angeles County Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries (N = 2632, 63% response rate). Patients identified their primary care physicians (PCPs), who were also surveyed (N = 162, 56% response rate). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES (1) Patient-reported provider involvement (endocrinologist, surgeon, PCP) at diagnosis and treatment; (2) PCP-reported involvement (more vs less) and comfort (more vs less) with discussing diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS Among thyroid cancer patients, 40.6% reported being informed of their diagnosis by their surgeon, 37.9% by their endocrinologist, and 13.5% by their PCP. Patients reported discussing their treatment with their surgeon (71.7%), endocrinologist (69.6%), and PCP (33.3%). Physician specialty involvement in diagnosis and treatment varied by patient race/ethnicity and age. For example, Hispanic patients (vs non-Hispanic White) were more likely to report their PCP informed them of their diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]: 1.68; 95% CI, 1.24-2.27). Patients ≥65 years (vs <45 years) were more likely to discuss treatment with their PCP (OR: 1.59; 95% CI, 1.22-2.08). Although 74% of PCPs reported discussing their patients' diagnosis and 62% their treatment, only 66% and 48%, respectively, were comfortable doing so. CONCLUSIONS PCPs were involved in thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment, and their involvement was greater among older patients and patients of minority race/ethnicity. This suggests an opportunity to leverage PCP involvement in thyroid cancer management to improve health and quality of care outcomes for vulnerable patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Reyes-Gastelum
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Paul Abrahamse
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Brittany Gay
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sarah T Hawley
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lauren P Wallner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Debbie W Chen
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ann S Hamilton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kevin C Ward
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Megan R Haymart
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Papaleontiou M, Zebrack B, Reyes-Gastelum D, Rosko AJ, Hawley ST, Hamilton AS, Ward KC, Haymart MR. Physician management of thyroid cancer patients' worry. J Cancer Surviv 2020; 15:418-426. [PMID: 32939685 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-020-00937-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to understand physician management of thyroid cancer-related worry. METHODS Endocrinologists, general surgeons, and otolaryngologists identified by Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) patients were surveyed 2018-2019 (response rate 69% (448/654)) and asked to rate in general their patients' worry at diagnosis and actions they take for worried patients. Multivariable-weighted logistic regressions were conducted to determine physician characteristics associated with reporting thyroid cancer as "good cancer" and with encouraging patients to seek help managing worry outside the physician-patient relationship. RESULTS Physicians reported their patients as quite/very worried (65%), somewhat worried (27%), and a little/not worried (8%) at diagnosis. Half of the physicians tell patients their thyroid cancer is a "good cancer." Otolaryngology (odds ratio (OR) 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-3.21, versus endocrinology), private practice (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.32-4.68, versus academic setting), and Los Angeles (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.45-3.46, versus Georgia) were associated with using "good cancer." If patients are worried, 97% of physicians make themselves available for discussion, 44% refer to educational websites, 18% encourage communication with family/friends, 13% refer to support groups, and 7% refer to counselors. Physicians who perceived patients being quite/very worried were less likely to use "good cancer" (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.35-0.84) and more likely to encourage patients to seek help outside the physician-patient relationship (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.17-2.82). IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Physicians perceive patient worry as common and address it with various approaches, with some approaches of unclear benefit. Efforts are needed to develop tailored interventions targeting survivors' psychosocial needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Papaleontiou
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan-North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg 16, Rm 453S, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Bradley Zebrack
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Room 2778, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - David Reyes-Gastelum
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan-North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Bldg. 16, 400S-20, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Andrew J Rosko
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 1904 Taubman Center, 1500 E Medical Center Dr. SPC 5312, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sarah T Hawley
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan-North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg 16, Rm G034, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Ann S Hamilton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto St., SSB318E, MC9239, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9239, USA
| | - Kevin C Ward
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd., NE RM 764, GCR Building Mailstop; 1518-002-7AA, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Megan R Haymart
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan-North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Bldg 16, Rm 408E, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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Papaleontiou M, Hughes DT, Guo C, Banerjee M, Haymart MR. Population-Based Assessment of Complications Following Surgery for Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:2543-2551. [PMID: 28460061 PMCID: PMC5505192 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT As thyroid cancer incidence rises, more patients undergo thyroid surgery. Although postoperative complication rates have been reported in single institution studies, population-based data are limited. OBJECTIVE To determine thyroid cancer surgery complication rates and identify at-risk populations. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we evaluated general complications within 30 days and thyroid surgery-specific complications within 1 year in 27,912 patients who underwent surgery for differentiated or medullary thyroid cancer between 1998 and 2011. Multivariable analyses of patient characteristics associated with postoperative complications were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES General and thyroid surgery-specific complications. RESULTS Overall, 1820 (6.5%) patients developed general postoperative complications and 3427 (12.3%) developed thyroid surgery-specific complications. In multivariable analyses, general and thyroid surgery-specific complications were significantly higher in patients >65 years [odds ratio (OR), 2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.31 to 2.95; OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.85 to 3.42], those with a Charlson/Deyo comorbidity score of 1 (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.66 to 3.49; OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.53 to 2.31) and ≥2 (OR, 7.05; 95% CI, 5.33 to 9.56; OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 3.11 to 4.25), and those with regional (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.35; OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.19 to 1.45) or distant disease (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 2.30 to 3.47; OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.21), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The rates of thyroid cancer surgery complications are higher than predicted, and patients with older age, more comorbidities, and advanced disease are at greatest risk. Efforts to reduce complications are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Papaleontiou
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
| | - David T. Hughes
- Division of Endocrine Surgery, Department of General Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Cui Guo
- School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Mousumi Banerjee
- School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Megan R. Haymart
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106
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Papaleontiou M, Gauger PG, Haymart MR. REFERRAL OF OLDER THYROID CANCER PATIENTS TO A HIGH-VOLUME SURGEON: RESULTS OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY PHYSICIAN SURVEY. Endocr Pract 2017; 23:808-815. [PMID: 28534681 DOI: 10.4158/ep171788.or] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgical outcomes of thyroid cancer patients are improved with high-volume surgeons. However, age disparities in referral to specialist surgical centers still exist. The factors that influence decision making regarding referral of older thyroid cancer patients to high-volume surgeons remain unknown. METHODS We surveyed members of the Endocrine Society, American College of Physicians, and American Academy of Family Practice. RESULTS Overall, 270 physicians completed the survey. Patient preference (69%), transportation barriers (62%), and confidence in local surgeon (54%) were the most cited factors decreasing likelihood of referral to a high-volume surgeon. In clinical scenarios, referral rates to a high-volume surgeon were similar for patients aged 40 and 65 years with a 1-cm thyroid nodule diagnostic of thyroid cancer (n = 137 [54%]; n = 132 [52%], respectively) as for an 85-year-old with a 4-cm nodule (n = 148 [59%]). When comorbidities were introduced, more physicians (n = 186 [74%]) would refer a 65-year-old with a 4-cm thyroid nodule and comorbidities, compared to an 85-year-old with the same nodule size without comorbidi-ties. In multivariable analysis, treating >10 thyroid cancer patients/year (P<.001; P<.005) and endocrinology specialty (P = .003; P = .003) were associated with referral to a high-volume surgeon for a 65-year-old with comorbidities and an 85-year-old without comorbidities, respectively. CONCLUSION Understanding surgical referral patterns of older thyroid cancer patients is vital in identifying obstacles in the referral process. We found that patient factors including comorbidities and physician factors including specialty and patient volume influence these patterns. This is the first step towards developing targeted interventions for these patients.
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Fedewa SA, Jemal A, Chen AY. Trends and Predictors of Chemotherapy Use among Thyroid Cancer Patients in the National Cancer Database (2004-2013). Eur Thyroid J 2016; 5:268-276. [PMID: 28101492 PMCID: PMC5216190 DOI: 10.1159/000449379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Beginning in 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) for medullary thyroid cancers (MTCs), and in 2013 MKIs were approved for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs). However, little is known about the use of chemotherapy in thyroid cancer patients. Thus, the goal of our study was to describe patterns of chemotherapy use, including MKIs, among DTC and MTC patients in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). METHODS Chemotherapy use, along with other treatment types (surgery and radiation), was assessed between 2004 and 2013. The primary predictor was the year of diagnosis (2004-2010 and 2011-2013), based on the FDA's approval of chemotherapy for MTC (2011). Baseline use of MKIs in DTCs in 2013 was also examined. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI of receipt of chemotherapy. RESULTS Overall, 199,654 patients were included in our analytic sample with 194,667 nonmetastatic DTCs, 1,633 metastatic DTCs, and 3,354 MTCs. Among MTCs, chemotherapy use significantly increased from 3.1% in 2004-2010 to 5.0% in 2011-2013 (p = 0.018) in unadjusted and adjusted (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.00, 2.36) analyses. In metastatic DTCs, 4.9% of patients received chemotherapy in 2013, which was not significantly higher than in previous years (p = 0.755). CONCLUSIONS Overall, chemotherapy use among MTCs increased marginally following the FDA's approval of MKIs in 2011, although their use remains very low. MKIs were infrequently used in metastatic DTCs in 2013. Future studies examining patterns of chemotherapy in thyroid cancer patients are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey A. Fedewa
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., USA
- *Stacey A. Fedewa, MPH, Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, 250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 (USA), E-Mail
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., USA
| | - Amy Y. Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., USA
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Stacy S, Hyder O, Cosgrove D, Herman JM, Kamel I, Geschwind JFH, Gurakar A, Anders R, Cameron A, Pawlik TM. Patterns of consultation and treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma presenting to a large academic medical center in the US. J Gastrointest Surg 2013; 17:1600-8. [PMID: 23780638 PMCID: PMC4002207 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-013-2253-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often involves many subspecialist providers, as well as a broad range of treatment options. This study sought to evaluate referral and treatment patterns among patients with HCC at a large academic medical center. METHODS Data from our cancer registry between 2003-2011 were abstracted on 394 patients who were primarily diagnosed/treated for HCC at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH); data on patients who were diagnosed/treated with HCC elsewhere and who received secondary treatment at JHH (n = 391) were also abstracted for comparison purposes. RESULTS Among the main cohort, the most common specialties to be consulted were surgery (n = 225, 57.1%), gastroenterology (n = 225, 57.1%), and interventional radiologist (n = 206, 52.3%), while only 96 (24.4%) were referred to medical oncology. Factors associated with surgical consultation included younger age (odds ratio (OR) 3.35, 95% CI 1.62-6.92), tumor size <5 cm (OR 1.82, 1.09-3.02), and unilobar disease (OR 2.94, 1.31-6.59) (all P < 0.05). Patients initially diagnosed/treated elsewhere had larger tumors (4 vs. 6 cm), bilateral disease (19.2 vs. 26.8%), and were more likely to be seen by interventional radiology (all P < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were seen by surgeons, gastroenterologists, or interventional radiologists, with only a minority being seen by medical oncologists. Referral patterns depended on patient-level factors, as well as extent of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Stacy
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Omar Hyder
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David Cosgrove
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph M. Herman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ihab Kamel
- Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jean-Francois H. Geschwind
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ahmet Gurakar
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Anders
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Cameron
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Timothy M. Pawlik
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 688, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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