Management and perception of therapeutic adherence of breakthrough cancer pain by oncologists in Spain / Manejo y percepción de la adherencia al tratamiento del dolor irruptivo oncológico por oncólogos españoles

Objectives:The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of oncologists on adherence to opioid treatment for breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in current clinical practice. Our study also included an assessment of other aspects of the management of BTcP, such as the reasons for non-adherence, the adequacy of the treatment, or the possible interventions required to improve adherence.Methods:This observational, multicentric study was carried out in 84 hospitals throughout Spain. Oncologists were surveyed by means of an online questionnaire on their management of background cancer pain and BTcP, and their perception of adherence to the treatments.Results:Oncologists (N = 97) reported that their first choice for BTcP was fentanyl (various formulations), with high perceived tolerance (> 76 % of patients). Most oncologists (96.8 %) evaluated adherence in their patients but only 69. 1% always prescribed medication to prevent adverse effects of opioids and only 74.2 % always titrated the minimum dose. Most oncologists (51.0 %) perceived that 25-50 % of the patients did not adhere to the treatment for BTcP. Adherence to background pain treatments was high, although many oncologists considered that patients usually stopped taking the medication when feeling better. The main reported reasons for non-adherence were the self-perceived feeling that treatment was unnecessary, perceived inefficacy of the treatment, concerns about potential adverse effects, and lack of family support.Conclusions:Oncologists perceived that adherenceto BTcP treatment can be improved and recommended treatment of adverse effects, better education about pain management to patients and relatives, written prescription instructions, and simplification of drug regimens.(AU)

Introducción:El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la percepción de los oncólogos sobre la adherencia al tratamiento con opioides para el dolor irruptivo oncológico (DIO) en la práctica clínica real. El estudio también incluyó una evaluación de otros aspectos del manejo del DIO, como las razones de la no adherencia, la adecuación del tratamiento, o las posibles intervenciones necesarias para mejorar la adherencia.Métodos:Este estudio observacional multicéntrico se realizó en 84 hospitales de toda España. Los oncólogos fueron encuestados por medio de un cuestionario online sobre su manejo del dolor oncológico basal y del DIO, y su percepción de la adherencia a los tratamientos.Resultados:Los oncólogos (n = 97) indicaron que su primera opción para el DIO fue el fentanilo (varias formulaciones), con alta tolerancia (> 76 % de los pacientes). La mayoría de los oncólogos (96,8 %) evaluaron la adherencia en sus pacientes, pero solo el 69,1 % siempre prescribió medicamentos para prevenir los efectos adversos de los opioides, y solo el 74,2 % siempre tituló la dosis mínima. La mayoría de los oncólogos (51 %) percibieron que el 25-50 % de los pacientes no mostraban buena adherencia al tratamiento para DIO. La adherencia a los tratamientos de dolor basal fue alta, aunque muchos oncólogos consideraron que los pacientes generalmente dejaban de tomar el medicamento cuando se sentían mejor. Las principales razones para la no adherencia fueron la sensación de que el tratamiento era innecesario, la ineficacia percibida del tratamiento, la preocupación por los posibles efectos adversos y la falta de apoyo familiar.Conclusiones:Los oncólogos percibieron que la adherencia al tratamiento para el DIO puede mejorarse y recomendaron el tratamiento de los efectos adversos de la medicación, una mejor educación sobre el manejo del dolor a los pacientes y familiares, instrucciones escritas de prescripción y simplificación de los regímenes de medicamentos.(AU)

Pilot study on workload estimate in breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer in a Medical Oncology Service at Valme hospital

New advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and the increased incidence and prevalence of this disease have led to an increase in the number and duration of visits in Medical Oncology in the last few years. Based on the functions of a medical oncologist and the time recommended for each work activity established by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), we carried out a pilot study on the three most frequent neoplasias in our country [breast cancer (BC), lung cancer (LC) and colorectal cancer (CRC)], in order to determine the real time each patient requires from a physician and thus establish a recommendation on the number of medical oncologists necessary. Using the actual itinerary of the first 20 patients of 2009 in each of the three neoplasias seen at the Medical Oncology Service of the Virgen de Valme University Hospital, we measured the number of visits, the antineoplastic treatments received, the number of hospital admissions and average length of stay. During the years following the study, these data were estimated based on the natural history of each neoplasia. During the first year, the average time spent by the medical oncologist was 235, 390 and 265 min on each outpatient with BC, LC and CRC, respectively. In hospitalisation, the average oncologist/patient minutes were 40, 360 and 118 for BC, LC and CRC, respectively. Finally, the time spent on each visit or day of hospitalisation was that recommended by the SEOM, achieving an ultimate ratio of 1 oncologist for every 83 first visits (AU)

Treatment of cancer pain: Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) recommendations for clinical practice

Cancer pain should be controlled in most patients, however this is not always achieved. These guidelines describe the classification, evaluation and treatment of chronic cancer pain in accordance with the WHO treatment strategy of pain stages: mild, moderate and severe. For treatment during the third stage, we cover titration and rotation of opioids, as well as their side effects and prevention. Also described is neuropathic pain and refractory pain, coadjuvant treatments and non pharmacological analgesic treatments. Finally, treatment of breakthrough pain is defined (AU)

Phase II study of a fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with erlotinib in advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of the combination regimen consisting of gemcitabine-FDR infusion plus erlotinib, in ACP patients. METHODS: Forty-two patients with histologically confirmed, locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were included in this phase II trial. Main objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of this regimen. Therapeutic regimen consisted of gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m(2) in 120-min infusion on days 1, 8 and 15, plus erlotinib 100 mg orally once daily. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. RESULTS: A total of 160 courses of gemcitabine-FDR erlotinib were administered (median 3.8 courses per patient). The most common grade 3-4 AEs were neutropenia (21%), thrombocytopenia (10%), skin rash (10%) and asthenia (10%). Complete response was achieved in one patient (2%) and 11 (26%) achieved a partial response. Stable disease and progression disease were observed in 11 patients (26%) and 19 (45%), respectively. Median time to progression was 5 months (95%CI: 3.9-5.8 months) and median overall survival was 8 months (95% CI: 5.1-10.8). One-year survival rate was 35%. CONCLUSIONS: A regimen consisting of gemcitabine-FDR infusion plus erlotinib is active and well tolerated in APC patients. However, the results do not justify the conduct of a Phase III trial.

Docetaxel and high-dose epirubicin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Epirubicin and docetaxel are two of the most active drugs against breast carcinoma. As the achievement of a pathological complete response (pCR) is important for survival of patients with locally advanced disease, we used both drugs as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer received epirubicin 120 mg/m2 followed by docetaxel 75 mg/m2, both on day 1, every 21 days for four cycles. Lenograstim was administered for 10 days in all cycles. RESULTS: Of 51 patients included, 50 received a total of 188 cycles, with a median of 4 per patient. The median age was 47 years, tumour stage was IIIA in 14 patients and IIIB in 36. Oestrogen receptors were positive in 65% of tumours. There were 10 clinical complete responses (20%) and 29 partial responses (58%). Surgery consisted of mastectomy in 40 patients and tumorectomy in 6. After surgery, 9 pCR were recorded (18%). One patient progressed and died soon after the end of chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 22 months, the median disease-free survival was 33.7 months. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 32% of patients, anaemia in 6%, and thrombocytopenia in 4%. Five patients had febrile neutropenia. There were no toxic deaths or grade 4 nonhaematological toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Docetaxel plus high-dose epirubicin showed promising activity in patients with locally advanced and inflammatory breast cancer, at the cost of moderate toxicity.

Phase II study of a fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with uracil/tegafur in advanced carcinoma of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with uracil/tegafur (UFT) in patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-three chemotherapy-naïve patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were included in this phase II study. All of whom had a Karnofsky performance status >or=50 and bi-dimensionally measurable disease (either advanced non-resectable or metastatic); median age 59 years (range 39-77); male:female ratio 29:14. Eight patients (19%) had locally advanced disease and 35 (81%) distant metastases. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1200 mg/m(2) given as a 120-min infusion weekly for 3 consecutive weeks, plus oral UFT 400 mg/m(2)/day (in 2-3 doses per day) on days 1-21, cycles were given every 28 days. Measurements of efficacy included response rate, clinical benefit response, time to disease progression and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 192 cycles of chemotherapy were delivered with a median of four per patient. There were two complete responses (5%) and 12 partial responses (28%), producing an overall response rate of 33% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16% to 49%]. Thirteen patients (30%) had stable disease, whereas 16 (37%) had a progression. The median time to progression was 6 months and the median overall survival was 11 months. Twenty-five patients (64%, 95% CI 47% to 78%) experienced a clinical benefit response. Grade 3-4 WHO toxicities were: neutropenia in nine patients (21%); thrombocytopenia in four (9%); anaemia in five (12%); diarrhoea in four (9%); and asthenia in one (2%). CONCLUSIONS: A fixed dose-rate infusion of gemcitabine associated with UFT was well tolerated and showed promising activity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma of the pancreas. This is an appropriate palliative treatment in this setting.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the kidney: case report and literature review.

We report on a 65-year-old white woman who was hospitalized because of symptoms of an acute adrenocortical insufficiency. A CT scan revealed the presence of a large mass in the left kidney that infiltrated the adrenal gland. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass under imaging control failed to achieve a correct diagnosis, and nephrectomy was undertaken with a preoperative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. However, the frozen section reveals a neoplasm of large lymphoid cells with a diffuse growth pattern. Immunohistochemistry confirms the B-cell nature of the neoplasm (CD20+). The final diagnosis was non-Hodgkin B-cell high grade centroblastic lymphoma (KIEL classification). Postoperative studies failed to show lymph node or bone marrow infiltration by neoplastic cells. We found reports on only 60 malignant lymphomas, considered to be primary to the kidney. They usually affect middle-aged people, can be diagnosed with imaging techniques, and seem to show a better prognosis than other types of lymphoma.