Differentiating gender-based reproductive concerns among adolescent and young adult cancer patients: A mixed methods study

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have examined the distinct reproductive concerns (RC) of men and women in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patient population. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore and differentiate the RC of AYAs.

METHODS

Participants completed the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale and participated in a semistructured interview. Interviews were deductively coded based on an analytic schema derived from the RCAC.

RESULTS

After identifying participants through the electronic health record, 27 younger AYAs, ages 12-25, enrolled in the study. Four inductive themes emerged and differed by gender. These include differential temporality, acceptance, and openness to alternatives, partner influence, and parental/guardian influence. AYA men reported fewer RC (M = 49.4, SD = 9.6) compared to AYA women (M = 56.8, SD = 8.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Oncofertility care providers are advised to account for short- and long-ranging concerns based on AYAs' gender. Future evaluations of patient-reported outcome measures specific to AYA RC are recommended.

Building a Roadmap for Surveillance of Renal Masses Using a Modified Delphi Method to Help Achieve Consensus

OBJECTIVE

To establish a consensus for initial evaluation and follow-up of patients on active surveillance (AS) for T1 renal masses (T1RM).

METHODS

A modified Delphi method was used to gather information about AS of T1RM, with a focus on patient selection, timing/type of imaging modality, and triggers for intervention. A consensus panel of Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative-affiliated urologists who routinely manage renal masses was formed. Areas of consensus (defined >80% agreement) about T1RM AS were established iteratively via 3 rounds of online questionnaires.

RESULTS

Twenty-six Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative urologists formed the panel. Consensus was achieved for 321/587 scenarios (54.7%) administered through 124 questions. Life expectancy, age, comorbidity, and renal function were most important for patient selection, with life expectancy ranking first. All tumors <3 cm and all patients with life expectancy <1 year were considered appropriate for AS. Appropriateness also increased with elevated perioperative risk, increasing tumor complexity, and/or declining renal function. Consensus was for multiphasic axial imaging initially (contrast CT for GFR >60 or MRI for GFR >30) with first repeat imaging at 3-6 months and subsequent imaging timing determined by tumor size. Consensus was for chest imaging for tumors >3 cm initially and >5 cm at follow up. Renal biopsy was not felt to be a requirement for entering AS, but useful in several scenarios. Consensus indicated rapid tumor growth as an appropriate trigger for intervention.

CONCLUSION

Our consensus panel was able to achieve areas of consensus to help define a clinically useful and specific roadmap for AS of T1RM and areas for further discussion where consensus was not achieved.

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Prostate Cancer Medications Substantially Vary by Medicare Part D Plan: An Online Tool Presents an Opportunity to Mitigate Financial Toxicity

INTRODUCTION

Patients with advanced prostate cancer are frequently prescribed enzalutamide or abiraterone, often requiring high out-of-pocket costs. Many of these patients are insured through Medicare and have an option to select among 54 different Part D drug plans. However, less than 30% of patients report comparing costs before selecting a plan. An online Part D plan navigator is publicly available and allows patients to compare estimated out-of-pocket prescriptions costs. In this study, we examine the variability of out-of-pocket costs based on available Part D drug plans for patients with prostate cancer and demonstrate how an online tool could save patients thousands of dollars.

METHODS

We identified drug plans available for selection in 2023 using the online Medicare Part D Plan Finder. We sampled plan options for 12 different zip codes within the United States. A university-sponsored specialty cancer pharmacy and online mail-order pharmacy were included for comparison. We identified out-of-pocket costs for enzalutamide and abiraterone based on all Part D plans available for selection.

RESULTS

On average, 24 Part D drug plans were available for each zip code. Median annual out-of-pocket costs were $11,626 for enzalutamide and $9,275 for abiraterone. The range of annual out-of-pocket costs were $9,854 to $13,061 for enzalutamide and $1,379 to $13,274 for abiraterone. Within certain zip codes, potential out-of-pocket cost savings were $2,512 for enzalutamide and $9,321 for abiraterone. Median difference of out-of-pocket cost between enzalutamide and abiraterone was $8,758.

CONCLUSIONS

Out-of-pocket costs vary considerably across Part D drug plans. The Medicare Part D Plan Finder is a simple and effective tool to identify affordable drug plans. Guidance on plan selection could save patients thousands of dollars and help mitigate the financial toxicity of treatment. Comprehensive cancer centers could include plan navigators as an essential component of treatment.

Body image disturbances in adolescent and young adult cancer patients confronting infertility risk and fertility preservation decisions

PURPOSE

Body image is a major psychosocial concern for all cancer patients but can affect the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population in distinct ways. Similarly, the prospect of infertility and the fertility preservation process can create additional stress during cancer treatment. Discussions regarding infertility inherently implicate the body and its reproductive function, but downstream effects on self-perception have not been previously described. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of AYAs as they considered their risk of infertility and options for fertility preservation (FP), specifically the ways in which this impacted body image and FP decision-making.

METHODS

AYA cancer patients (n = 27) aged 12-25 years whose cancer and treatment conferred risk of infertility were recruited through electronic health record query at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants completed semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and deductively coded for themes related to information needs, knowledge of treatment effects on fertility, and reproductive concerns after cancer. Emergent, inductive themes related to body image were identified.

RESULTS

Body image concerns, related to both physical appearance and body functioning emerged. Common concerns included anticipating change as it pertains to the body and its functions, physical discomfort, fear of judgment, and meeting expectations of the body. While these themes are broad in nature, they have been previously explored in relation to body image in general and their emergence in the oncofertility space provides guidance for further optimization of infertility and fertility preservation discussions.

CONCLUSIONS

AYA cancer patients experience a multitude of body image related disturbances when faced with the possibility of infertility and fertility preservation. In identifying and exploring these themes, future opportunities for improving oncofertility practice and discussions among AYAs with a focus on body image positivity are called upon.

Adoption of Abiraterone and Enzalutamide by Urologists

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the adoption of abiraterone and enzalutamide by urologists. Abiraterone and enzalutamide are oral therapies approved for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, a disease most commonly treated by medical oncologists.

METHODS

Using the Medicare Part D Public Use Files from 2013 to 2016, we identified total abiraterone and enzalutamide prescriptions 2013-2016 and urologists who prescribed moderate to high volumes of these drugs. We then characterized the urologist practices of those urologists according to practice context (eg, single-specialty group) using data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the geographic distribution of those providers.

RESULTS

We found abiraterone prescriptions increased from 71,423 in 2013 to a peak of 100,371 in 2015 and enzalutamide prescriptions continued to increase from 29,572 in 2013 to 100,980 in 2016. Prescriptions by urologists increased between 2013 and 2016 while prescriptions by other specialties plateaued. The number of moderate-high prescribing urologists increased from 98 (abiraterone) and 22 (enzalutamide) in 2013, to 301 (abiraterone) and 671 (enzalutamide) by 2016 with 1063 unique urologists prescribing moderate-high volumes of either drug between 2013 and 2016. Among urologists who prescribe androgen deprivation therapy, 5% were moderate-high prescribers of abiraterone and 12% of enzalutamide in 2016. The majority of moderate-high prescribing urologists were in single-specialty groups (70%).

CONCLUSION

Urologists are increasingly prescribing oral therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Understanding the distribution of urologists specializing in castration-resistant prostate cancer therapeutics will help guide future interventions to optimize the care for this important patient population.

Implications of evolving delivery system reforms for prostate cancer care

OBJECTIVES

Prostate cancer treatment is a significant source of morbidity and healthcare spending. Evolving clinical data have supported expanding surveillance as a means to "right-size" treatment. Integrated delivery systems afford the possibility of hastening this objective.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS

We used a 20% sample of national Medicare claims to assess the impact of healthcare integration on rates of treatment and potential overtreatment in men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2007 and 2011. Rates were measured according to the extent of integration within a market (ie, none, low, intermediate, and high). Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the relationship between integration and utilization, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

Rates of treatment declined across all markets (P <.01 for overall time trend), but the rate of decline was similar for the 4 market types (P = .27). In the most integrated markets, the rate decreased by 28.8%, or from 55.5 per 10,000 population in 2007 to 39.5 per 10,000 in 2011. After adjusting for confounders, men residing in the most integrated markets were 2.1% less likely to be treated with curative intent compared with those living in areas without integrated delivery systems (P = .04). However, rates of potential overtreatment were similar across all markets regardless of the level of integration (P = .21).

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare integration was associated with small declines in prostate cancer treatment in newly diagnosed men, but not with potential overtreatment. Integrated care alone may be insufficient to curtail potential overtreatment of prostate cancer.

Inguinal and genital anomalies

Problems of the groin and genitalia are a common presenting complaint in both pediatrician's offices and emergency departments. The authors endeavor to provide a comprehensive review of the most common inguinal and genital anomalies encountered by the pediatrician, with a special focus on examination and management.

Extramammary Paget's disease of the penis and anogenital area: SEER analysis

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Background: Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cancer with poorly described outcomes comprising primarily single-institution small case series. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries to further define survival and predictors of survival in EMPD.

Methods: 17 SEER registries were queried for male patients diagnosed with EMPD from 1973 to 2007. Patients were categorized by: penis and anogenital structures (anorectum, scrotum, and skin). Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize each group including age, year of diagnosis, race, tumor stage, and treatment. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed.

Results: The cohort consisted of 328 patients. Overall survival based on primary sites of EMPD were: anorectum (24.3%), scrotum (62.4%), penis (62.5%), skin (50.8%). Controlling for patient and disease characteristics, significant factors negatively impacting survival were primary site in the anorectal region compared to scrotum, penis and skin (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.005 respectively), presence of distant disease versus localized disease (p=0.01) and radiation only (RT) treatment versus surgery alone (p=0.016). Survival benefit was not increased in patients who underwent combined RT and surgery treatment, as compared to those who were treated with surgery alone (p=0.61).

Conclusions: Predictors of lower survival in men with EMPD in this cohort include anorectal location, distant disease and RT-only treatment. RT in addition to surgery does not appear to confer increased survival.

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No significant financial relationships to disclose.