The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology

Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Cancer survivorship care plans have been recommended to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. We describe here how we established routine SCP delivery at the Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago, Illinois, using the Quality Implementation Framework. We evaluated local practices, gathered clinician and patient stakeholder input, developed customized SCP templates within the electronic health record, and implemented 2 complementary delivery models.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

The pace of drug development for multiple myeloma was dizzying in 2015, with 5 regulatory approvals for the treatment of relapsed/refractory disease, 3 in a single month. As we stand on the brink of another paradigm shift in the management of this disease, we discuss the new classes of drugs and how they are shaping standard of care with the potential to make multiple myeloma a chronic disease.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

The pace of drug development for multiple myeloma was dizzying in 2015, with 5 regulatory approvals for the treatment of relapsed/refractory disease, 3 in a single month. As we stand on the brink of another paradigm shift in the management of this disease, we discuss the new classes of drugs and how they are shaping standard of care with the potential to make multiple myeloma a chronic disease.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

The pace of drug development for multiple myeloma was dizzying in 2015, with 5 regulatory approvals for the treatment of relapsed/refractory disease, 3 in a single month. As we stand on the brink of another paradigm shift in the management of this disease, we discuss the new classes of drugs and how they are shaping standard of care with the potential to make multiple myeloma a chronic disease.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

It is widely recognized that eosinophils are found in tumor infiltrates and that their mechanism of action is associated with particular symptoms and prognosis. However, the causes of and reasons for this process remain unclear, as does the exact mechanism by which it occurs. We report on the case of a 71-year-old woman with cholangiocellar carcinoma (CCC) with a marked eosinophilia. When the patient presented at the hospital, she said she was suffering from fatigue, depression, and pain.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article. 

It is widely recognized that eosinophils are found in tumor infiltrates and that their mechanism of action is associated with particular symptoms and prognosis. However, the causes of and reasons for this process remain unclear, as does the exact mechanism by which it occurs. We report on the case of a 71-year-old woman with cholangiocellar carcinoma (CCC) with a marked eosinophilia. When the patient presented at the hospital, she said she was suffering from fatigue, depression, and pain.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article. 

It is widely recognized that eosinophils are found in tumor infiltrates and that their mechanism of action is associated with particular symptoms and prognosis. However, the causes of and reasons for this process remain unclear, as does the exact mechanism by which it occurs. We report on the case of a 71-year-old woman with cholangiocellar carcinoma (CCC) with a marked eosinophilia. When the patient presented at the hospital, she said she was suffering from fatigue, depression, and pain.

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article. 

In his April podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, Editor-in-Chief Dr David Henry discusses Original Reports on olanzapine compared with fosaprepitant for the prevention of concurrent chemotherapy radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and an analysis of patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer after treatment with abiraterone acetate. Also among the line-up of Original Reports are studies looking at the diagnostic work-up for the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients and at the use of video-conferencing to deliver cancer genetic counseling to high-risk underserved individuals. The Case Reports include an unusual case of non-small-cell lung cancer presenting as spontaneous cardiac tamponade, another of severe eosinophilia associated with cholangiocarcinoma, and a third on acute benzodiazepine toxicity exacerbated by concomitant oral olanzapine. The Community Translations column features approvals of nivolumab approval for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Dr Henry also discusses a feature article on new therapies for multiple myeloma that are redefining the condition as a chronic disease.

Listen to the podcast below.

In his April podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, Editor-in-Chief Dr David Henry discusses Original Reports on olanzapine compared with fosaprepitant for the prevention of concurrent chemotherapy radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and an analysis of patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer after treatment with abiraterone acetate. Also among the line-up of Original Reports are studies looking at the diagnostic work-up for the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients and at the use of video-conferencing to deliver cancer genetic counseling to high-risk underserved individuals. The Case Reports include an unusual case of non-small-cell lung cancer presenting as spontaneous cardiac tamponade, another of severe eosinophilia associated with cholangiocarcinoma, and a third on acute benzodiazepine toxicity exacerbated by concomitant oral olanzapine. The Community Translations column features approvals of nivolumab approval for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Dr Henry also discusses a feature article on new therapies for multiple myeloma that are redefining the condition as a chronic disease.

Listen to the podcast below.

In his April podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, Editor-in-Chief Dr David Henry discusses Original Reports on olanzapine compared with fosaprepitant for the prevention of concurrent chemotherapy radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and an analysis of patient-reported outcomes in prostate cancer after treatment with abiraterone acetate. Also among the line-up of Original Reports are studies looking at the diagnostic work-up for the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients and at the use of video-conferencing to deliver cancer genetic counseling to high-risk underserved individuals. The Case Reports include an unusual case of non-small-cell lung cancer presenting as spontaneous cardiac tamponade, another of severe eosinophilia associated with cholangiocarcinoma, and a third on acute benzodiazepine toxicity exacerbated by concomitant oral olanzapine. The Community Translations column features approvals of nivolumab approval for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. Dr Henry also discusses a feature article on new therapies for multiple myeloma that are redefining the condition as a chronic disease.

Listen to the podcast below.

Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with associated cardiac tamponade as a de novo sign of malignancy is seen in about 2% of patients.¹ Consequently, cardiac tamponade is an oncologic emergency and considered a unique presentation of a malignancy.² Cancer emergency is defined as an acute condition that is caused directly by the cancer itself or its treatment and requires intervention to avoid death or significant morbidity.³ The mechanism by which cardiac tamponade is classified as a life-threatening emergency stems from its impairment of right ventricular filling, resulting in ventricular diastolic collapse and decreased cardiac output, which can ultimately lead to death.⁴

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with associated cardiac tamponade as a de novo sign of malignancy is seen in about 2% of patients.¹ Consequently, cardiac tamponade is an oncologic emergency and considered a unique presentation of a malignancy.² Cancer emergency is defined as an acute condition that is caused directly by the cancer itself or its treatment and requires intervention to avoid death or significant morbidity.³ The mechanism by which cardiac tamponade is classified as a life-threatening emergency stems from its impairment of right ventricular filling, resulting in ventricular diastolic collapse and decreased cardiac output, which can ultimately lead to death.⁴

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion with associated cardiac tamponade as a de novo sign of malignancy is seen in about 2% of patients.¹ Consequently, cardiac tamponade is an oncologic emergency and considered a unique presentation of a malignancy.² Cancer emergency is defined as an acute condition that is caused directly by the cancer itself or its treatment and requires intervention to avoid death or significant morbidity.³ The mechanism by which cardiac tamponade is classified as a life-threatening emergency stems from its impairment of right ventricular filling, resulting in ventricular diastolic collapse and decreased cardiac output, which can ultimately lead to death.⁴

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Background Breast and colorectal cancers are common cancers for which genetic risk assessment and counseling are available. However, these services are often limited to metropolitan areas and are not readily accessible to underserved populations. Moreover, ethnic and racial disparities present additional obstacles to identifying and screening high-risk individuals and have a bearing on treatment outcomes.

Objective To provide cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling through telemedicine to the remote, underserved primarily Hispanic population of the Texas-Mexico border region.

Methods Program participants were mailed a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with the program so that we could determine the acceptability of video-teleconferencing for cancer risk assessment.

Results The overall level of satisfaction with the program was very high, demonstrating the acceptability of a cancer genetic risk assessment program that relied on telemedicine to reach and underserved minority community.

Limitations Delivery model requires the availability of and access to communication technologies; trained staff are needed at remote sites for sample collection and patient handling.

Conclusion Video-teleconferencing is an acceptable method of providing cancer risk assessment in a remote, underserved population.

Funding Supported primarily by a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (PP120089 [GT]), NIH-NCI P30 CA54174 (CTRC at UTHSCSA); and a grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation. 

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Background Breast and colorectal cancers are common cancers for which genetic risk assessment and counseling are available. However, these services are often limited to metropolitan areas and are not readily accessible to underserved populations. Moreover, ethnic and racial disparities present additional obstacles to identifying and screening high-risk individuals and have a bearing on treatment outcomes.

Objective To provide cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling through telemedicine to the remote, underserved primarily Hispanic population of the Texas-Mexico border region.

Methods Program participants were mailed a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with the program so that we could determine the acceptability of video-teleconferencing for cancer risk assessment.

Results The overall level of satisfaction with the program was very high, demonstrating the acceptability of a cancer genetic risk assessment program that relied on telemedicine to reach and underserved minority community.

Limitations Delivery model requires the availability of and access to communication technologies; trained staff are needed at remote sites for sample collection and patient handling.

Conclusion Video-teleconferencing is an acceptable method of providing cancer risk assessment in a remote, underserved population.

Funding Supported primarily by a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (PP120089 [GT]), NIH-NCI P30 CA54174 (CTRC at UTHSCSA); and a grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation. 

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.

Background Breast and colorectal cancers are common cancers for which genetic risk assessment and counseling are available. However, these services are often limited to metropolitan areas and are not readily accessible to underserved populations. Moreover, ethnic and racial disparities present additional obstacles to identifying and screening high-risk individuals and have a bearing on treatment outcomes.

Objective To provide cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling through telemedicine to the remote, underserved primarily Hispanic population of the Texas-Mexico border region.

Methods Program participants were mailed a questionnaire to assess their satisfaction with the program so that we could determine the acceptability of video-teleconferencing for cancer risk assessment.

Results The overall level of satisfaction with the program was very high, demonstrating the acceptability of a cancer genetic risk assessment program that relied on telemedicine to reach and underserved minority community.

Limitations Delivery model requires the availability of and access to communication technologies; trained staff are needed at remote sites for sample collection and patient handling.

Conclusion Video-teleconferencing is an acceptable method of providing cancer risk assessment in a remote, underserved population.

Funding Supported primarily by a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (PP120089 [GT]), NIH-NCI P30 CA54174 (CTRC at UTHSCSA); and a grant from the Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation. 

Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.