RESUMO
Background : Proper approach to symptom control in cancer patients requires a good understanding of the prevalence of the various symptoms these patients have
Aim: This study aims at assessing the Lebanese oncologists' point of view concerning the symptom burden among cancer patients of Lebanon and comparing their opinions to the real complaints of patients themselves
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of the Lebanese medical oncologists. Thirty-six physicians filled out a questionnaire regarding their demographics as well as the symptom profile of their patients. Those results were compared to the ones obtained from our previous study about symptom profile as reported by patients
Results: Fatigue was the symptom most our patients suffered from according to their physicians [64.167%]. Also, a good percentage of physicians agreed that patients suffer from appetite loss, pain, weight loss, and nausea. When compared to the patients' reports of their own symptoms, a statistically significant difference existed between the two profiles for the majority of symptoms [14 out of 19]. Also, for the majority of symptoms, physicians were found to underestimate the percentage of patients suffering from each symptom
Conclusion: This study shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the physicians' and the patients' perspectives on most of the common distressing symptoms. This entails more detailed questioning of the cancer patients about their distressing symptoms
RESUMO
Given the unmet needs in cancer treatment, extensive research and development has evolved to offer therapies for cancers to extend survival and minimize side effects. Immunotherapy, an approach to harness normal immune cells against cancers not only today's breakthrough but in fact the future of oncology therapeutics. Taking into consideration the recent approvals for new lines of therapy including anti-programmed-death-1 or programmed-death-1 ligand [PD-1/PD-L1] monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of Malignant Melanoma [MM] and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer [NSCLC], local strategies need to be established following the field experts' concurrence. Expert input forums are among the key approaches to define locally-adapted clinical-pathways with regard to the novel treatments. To this end, a panel of Iranian medical oncology experts reviewed the available evidence, taking into consideration recent practice guidelines with regard to the treatment of MM and NSCLC in order to draw an agreed-upon approach highlighting the position of immunotherapy in their current practice. Having addressed the key questions and considering the possible limitations and challenges, the panel could reach an agreed position. This report highlights the discussions with regards to the role of immunotherapy in MM and NSCLC during the immune-oncology clinical forum [IOCF] comprising an Iranian panel of experts
RESUMO
The management of unresectable advanced, metastatic malignant melanoma [MM] and chemotherapy-resistant or refractory non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC] has been an uphill challenge in clinical oncology. The advent of immunotherapy in cancer has put forward some new hopes to cover unmet needs in treating such cases. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors are among the well-supported options in the same vein. Alongside other cancer immunotherapy class-molecules, pembrolizumab [PZB], a programmed cell death protein 1 [PD-1] blocking antibody, has recently been approved both for MM and NSCLC. This report presents an overview of the clinical benefits of PZB in MM and NSCLC and highlights the clinical features of two eligible cases who have undergone immunotherapy using PZB