Enhancing the referral process for surgical management of spinal metastases: insights from a 12-year, bi-institutional study of 533 patients

Introduction

Delayed surgical management of spinal metastases (SMs) can have detrimental effects on patient survival and quality of life, leading to pain and potential neurological impairment. This study aimed to assess the impact of delayed referral for SMs on clinical outcomes by analyzing patients managed in emergency situations.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients admitted on either emergency or elective basis who underwent surgery for the treatment of neoplastic spine lesions at our two institutions (tertiary referral neurosurgical units) between January 2008 and December 2019.

Results

We analyzed 210 elective (EGp) and 323 emergency patients (UGp); emergencies increased significantly over the 12-year period, with a Friday peak (39.3%) and frequent neurological impairment (61.6% vs. 20%). Among the UGp patients, 186 (7.5%) had a previously monitored primitive cancer, including 102 (31.6%) with known SMs. On admission, 71 of the 102 (69.9%) patients presented with neurological deficits. UGp patients were more likely to undergo a single decompression without fixation. Outcomes at the 3-month follow-up were significantly worse for UGp patients ([very] poor, 29.2 vs. 13.8%), and the median overall survival for UGp patients was statistically lower. Risk factors for patients with SM undergoing emergency management included short delay between onset of symptoms and first contact with a spine surgeon, and an initial motor deficit.

Conclusion

Many patients with previously identified metastases, including those with neurological deficits, are urgently referred. Optimization is needed in the oncology pathway, and all stakeholders must be made aware of the factors contributing to the improvement in the clinical and radiological identification of potential complications affecting patient survival and quality of life.

Peripheral blood haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation for patients aged 70 years and over with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo-SCT) using non-myeloablative conditioning regimen (NMAC) has extended the feasibility of allogeneic transplantation, notably in older patients. However, there is few data specifically focusing on patients aged 70 years and over with AML and MDS. Thus the benefit of transplantation in this population is still debated. Here we report our single center experience of peripheral blood Haplo-SCT with NMAC and post-transplantation cyclophosphamide in AML and MDS patients aged 70 years and over. We analyzed 50 patients (27 AML, 23 MDS) with a median age of 72 years (70-77), 12/50 (24%) with active disease at Haplo-SCT. Cumulative incidence of grade 3-4 acute and moderate or severe chronic GVHD were 6% and 25%, respectively. Non-relapse mortality (NRM) at day +100 was 0%. NRM, relapse, PFS and OS at 3 years were 16%, 18%, 66%, and 69%, respectively. Among patients who were disease free at 2 years post Haplo-SCT, 88% are living without immunosuppressive treatment. Peripheral blood Haplo-SCT is feasible in selected AML/MDS patients over 70 years, without any early NRM. It produces long-term disease control and survival. Thus, age by itself should not be considered as a formal barrier to Haplo-SCT.

[Very old patients in multidisciplinary team meeting in PACA: a one-year survey]

INTRODUCTION

In 2011, 11% of all cancers were diagnosed in people over 85 years old. With the current aging of the French population associated with health progress, we will be confronted more and more frequently with the treatment of very old patients, and this until the horizon 2050, when the population over 75 years old will represent approximately 15% of the total French population (compared to 9.1% in 2015).

METHODS

To understand the management methods for patients over 85 years old with cancer, we carried out an observational study, based on data collected in the OncoPACA-Corse network, with the objective to describe the demographic data of very elderly patients, the characteristics of their pathology and to analyze the therapeutic strategies proposed by oncologists to patients in this population.

RESULTS

One thousand three hundred and fifty five cases were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 88.9 years with 3% of patients over 95 years old and only one was over 100 years old. 51.6% were women. Digestive tumors were the most represented (23.4%), followed by breast tumors (17.7%) and prostate tumors (10.5%), with a diagnosis made at a metastatic stage in 20% of cases. We note that treatment was offered for nearly 85% of patients with a wide range of options, exclusive palliative care was offered in 15% of cases; and whena treatment considered to be not very aggressive, such as hormone therapy, was offered, it seems to be preferred as monotherapy.

Real-world implementation of a geriatric-specific ERAS protocol in patients undergoing colonic cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of this single-center observational study was to evaluate the impact of implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, combined with systematic geriatric assessment and support, on surgical and oncological outcomes in patients aged 70 or older undergoing colonic cancer surgery.

METHODS

Two groups were formed from an actively maintained database from all patients undergoing laparoscopic colonic surgery for neoplasms during a defined period before (standard group) or after (ERAS group) the introduction of an ERAS program associated with systematic geriatric assessment. The primary outcome was postoperative 90-day morbidity. Secondary outcomes were total length of hospital stay, initiated and completed adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) rate, and 1-year mortality rate.

RESULTS

A total of 266 patients (135 standard and 131 ERAS) were included in the study. Overall 90-day morbidity and mean hospital stay were significantly lower in the ERAS group than in the standard group (22.1% vs. 35.6%, p = 0.02; and 6.2 vs. 9.3 days, p < 0.01, respectively). There were no differences in readmission rates and anastomotic complications. AC was recommended in 114 patients. The rate of initiated treatment was comparable between the groups (66.6% vs. 77.7%, p = 0.69). The rate of completed AC was significantly higher in the ERAS group (50% vs. 20%, p < 0.01) with a lower toxicity rate (57.1% vs. 87.5%, p = 0.002). The 1-year mortality rate was higher in the standard group (7.4% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of ERAS protocols and geriatric assessment and support reduces the overall morbidity rate and improves 12-month oncologic outcomes.

The "Friday peak" in surgical referrals for spinal metastases: lessons not learned. A retrospective analysis of 201 consecutive cases at a tertiary center

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord compression and fracture are potential complications of spine metastasis (SM). Rapid management by an expert team can reduce these adverse developments. Delays in seeking therapeutic advices, which lead to the need for sub-optimal emergency procedures, were already demonstrated nearly 20 years ago. We aimed to analyze the current weak points of referrals for vertebral metastasis so as to improve the care pathways.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all patients admitted on an emergency or elective basis who underwent palliative surgery for the treatment of neoplastic spine lesions in our institution (tertiary referral neurosurgical unit) between January 2009 and December 2016.

RESULTS

This retrospective study included 201 patients, 121 men and 80 women (mean age 65.1 years ± 10.9). Cancer was known for 59.7% of cases. Patients were neurologically asymptomatic in 52.7% of cases (Frankel E), and 123 (60.7%) were hospitalized for emergency reasons, including 51 (41.5% of emergencies) on a Friday (p < 0.0001). A significant increase in emergencies occurred over the studied period (p = 0.0027). The "emergency" group had significantly unfavorable results in terms of neurological status (p < 0.001), the occurrence of complications (p = 0.04), the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.02), and the clinical evolution (p = 0.04). Among 123 patients hospitalized for emergency reasons, 65 (52.8%) had known cancers, of which 33 had an identified SM, including 22 with neurological deficits (Frankel A-D), without prior surgical assessment (17.8% of emergencies).

CONCLUSION

Too many patients with previously identified metastases are referred for emergency reasons, including with a neurological deficit. Optimizing upstream pathways and referrals is imperative for improving the management of these patients. Involving a spine surgeon at the slightest symptom or an abnormal image is critical for defining the best treatment upstream. The use of telemedicine and the development of dedicated tumor boards are ways of improving this involvement.

Enhanced recovery after surgery program in older patients undergoing gynaecologic oncological surgery is feasible and safe

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs (ERP) include multimodal approaches of perioperative patient's clinical pathways designed to achieve early recovery after surgery and a decreased length of hospital stay (LOS). By allowing patients to return rapidly to their everyday surroundings, older patients are those who could take the greatest benefit from ERP. This is the first study to date to assess feasibility and safety of ERP on older patients undergoing gynaecologic oncological surgery.

METHODS

Data were prospectively collected between December 2015 and September 2017 at the Institut Paoli-Calmettes, a French comprehensive cancer centre. All the patients included in the study were referred for hysterectomy and/or pelvic or para-aortic lymphadenectomy for gynaecological cancer. The primary objective was to achieve similar LOS in patients ≥70 years old compared to younger patients without increasing the proportion of complications and readmission rates. A binary (LOS < or ≥ 2 days) logistic regression was built, including age, Charlson score, BMI, ASA score, oncological indication, surgical procedures and surgical approaches. G8 score was estimated for all the ≥70 years old patients.

RESULTS

Of a total of 329 patients, 75 were ≥70 years old and 254 were <70. Except a disparity in oncological indications with a higher proportion of endometrial cancer in the ≥70 years old group (56% vs. 27%; p < 0.01), there were no differences in patient's characteristics and surgical procedures. Age ≥ 70 years was associated with a longer LOS (means, 3.88 vs. 3.11 days; p = 0.024) only in univariate analysis. Considering the logistic regression, age was no longer associated with LOS. Total hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and ASA score ≥ 3 were independently associated with longer LOS while mini-invasive techniques were associated with a shorter LOS. Morbidities and readmissions occurred respectively in 23% and 8% of the total population without any difference between the two groups. In the ≥70 years old population, G8 score was not predictive of LOS, morbidities or readmissions.

CONCLUSION

Although it is already widely accepted that ERP improves early recovery, our study shows that ERP for patients over 70 years of age undergoing gynaecologic oncological surgery is as safe and feasible as on younger patients.