Impact of electronic medical record utilization on obesity screening and intervention for obese patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of obesity documented within the electronic medical record problem list. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with obesity and endometrial cancer receiving care from January 2018 to March 2021 at a single institution. Obesity intervention was defined as receipt of at least one of the following: referral to weight loss clinic, referral to a nutritionist, completion of obesity intervention tab, or documentation of weight loss counseling. Our secondary objectives were to (1) identify the prevalence of completed obesity interventions, (2) identify the number of patients who have achieved weight loss since their initial visit, and (3) identify covariates associated with presence of obesity on problem list, completion of obesity interventions, and weight loss. RESULTS: We identified 372 patients who met inclusion criteria. Of eligible patients, 202 (54%) had obesity documented on their problem list and 171 (46%) completed at least one obesity intervention. Within our cohort, 195 (52%) patients achieved weight loss from diagnosis or initial clinical encounter at our institution to most recent clinical encounter with median weight loss of 3.9 kg (IQR 1.5-8.0). In the multivariable logistic regressions, patients with obesity on the problem list were approximately twice as likely to have completion of obesity intervention (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.09, 3.35, p=0.024). Although presence of obesity on the problem list was not associated with weight loss, completion of health maintenance obesity intervention tab in the electronic medical record (Epic) was associated with weight loss (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.11, 6.89, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Only half of obese endometrial cancer patients had documentation of obesity within the electronic medical record problem list. The electronic medical record could be leveraged to achieve compliance with weight loss interventions. Further investigation on how the electronic medical record can be optimized to help patients achieve weight loss is needed.

Compliance With NCCN Guidelines for Evaluation and Treatment of Anemia Among Patients With Solid Tumors.

BACKGROUND: NCCN Guidelines for Hematopoietic Growth Factors recommend evaluation and treatment of anemia in patients with cancer. However, a paucity of data exists regarding compliance with these recommendations. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients diagnosed with any solid tumor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2008 to 2017. Tumor registry-confirmed cancer cases were identified by ICD-O codes using the Synthetic Derivative database. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hgb) level ≤11 g/dL and graded according to CTCAE version 5.0. Absolute, functional, and possible functional iron deficiency were defined based on NCCN Guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 25,018 patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 60 years. The most common malignancies were respiratory tract, prostate, and nonprostate urologic (11% each). Among 8,695 patients with Hgb levels available prior to diagnosis, 1,484 (17%) were noted to be anemic proximal to diagnosis. Of the 25,018 patients, 11,019 (44%) were anemic within 6 months of diagnosis. Of these patients, 4,686 (43%) had grade 2 (moderate) anemia and 9,623 (87%) had normocytic anemia. Patients with retroperitoneal/peritoneal cancers had the highest prevalence of anemia (83/110; 75%). A total of 4,125 (37%) underwent any evaluation of their anemia, of whom 1,742 (16%) had iron studies performed and 1,528 (14%) had vitamin B12 or folate studies performed. Fewer than half of patients with anemia received treatment (n=4,318; 39%), including blood transfusion (n=3,528; 32%), oral iron supplementation (n=1,279; 12%), or intravenous iron supplementation (n=97; 1%). Anemia treatment was significantly more frequent as the grade of anemia increased (any treatment among grade 1/mild: 12%; grade 2/moderate: 31%; grade 3/severe: 77%; χ2 [2, n=11,019]=3,020.6; P<.001). Patients with penile and testicular cancers had the highest prevalence of anemia evaluation (n=57; 79%). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is common in patients with solid tumors; yet, compliance with NCCN Guidelines for evaluation and treatment of anemia remains low. There are opportunities to improve compliance with guidelines across the spectrum of cancer care.

Increase in the level of ß-HCG after uterine artery embolization in the context of partial molar pregnancy: A case report.

This report documents the case of a patient with a previously diagnosed partial molar pregnancy evacuated by dilation and suction curettage with appropriately declining post-operative levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), who, one month later, underwent uterine artery embolization in the setting of acute bleeding and imaging concerning for arteriovenous malformation. After embolization, beta-hCG levels increased, prompting concern for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and referral to gynecologic oncology. With further workup, the elevation was found to be transient and benign - a phenomenon not previously described.

Effects of Specialist Palliative Care for Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery for Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Specialist palliative care benefits patients undergoing medical treatment of cancer; however, data are lacking on whether patients undergoing surgery for cancer similarly benefit from specialist palliative care. Objective: To determine the effect of a specialist palliative care intervention on patients undergoing surgery for cure or durable control of cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a single-center randomized clinical trial conducted from March 1, 2018, to October 28, 2021. Patients scheduled for specified intra-abdominal cancer operations were recruited from an academic urban referral center in the Southeastern US. Intervention: Preoperative consultation with palliative care specialists and postoperative inpatient and outpatient palliative care follow-up for 90 days. Main Outcomes and Measures: The prespecified primary end point was physical and functional quality of life (QoL) at postoperative day (POD) 90, measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) Trial Outcome Index (TOI), which is scored on a range of 0 to 56 with higher scores representing higher physical and functional QoL. Prespecified secondary end points included overall QoL at POD 90 measured by FACT-G, days alive at home until POD 90, and 1-year overall survival. Multivariable proportional odds logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to test the hypothesis that the intervention improved each of these end points relative to usual care in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: A total of 235 eligible patients (median [IQR] age, 65.0 [56.8-71.1] years; 141 male [60.0%]) were randomly assigned to the intervention or usual care group in a 1:1 ratio. Specialist palliative care was received by 114 patients (97%) in the intervention group and 1 patient (1%) in the usual care group. Adjusted median scores on the FACT-G TOI measure of physical and functional QoL did not differ between groups (intervention score, 46.77; 95% CI, 44.18-49.04; usual care score, 46.23; 95% CI, 43.08-48.14; P = .46). Intervention vs usual care group odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.77-1.80). Palliative care did not improve overall QoL measured by the FACT-G score (intervention vs usual care OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.75-1.58), days alive at home (OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.69-1.11), or 1-year overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.50-1.88). Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial showed no evidence that early specialist palliative care improves the QoL of patients undergoing nonpalliative cancer operations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03436290.

Too Close for Comfort? Attitudes of Gynecologic Oncologists Toward Caring for Dying Patients.

PURPOSE: To assess gynecologic oncologists' attitudes relating to palliative care referrals among advanced cancer patients. METHODS: Gynecologic oncologists were surveyed using validated measures to assess stigmatizing attitudes toward palliative care, anticipated stigma of palliative care, acceptance of palliative care, and willingness to refer to palliative care. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Analysis was performed using linear regression. RESULTS: 1200 physicians received the survey and 108 (9%) completed it. Most were female (69.4%) and white (82.4%). Most practiced in academics (64.8%) in urban environments (71.3%). Respondents did not have anticipated stigma surrounding palliative care referral (mean score 1.89, range 1-7, higher score indicating more stigma), were accepting of palliative care (mean score 1.45, range 1-7, higher score indicating less acceptance), and were willing to refer patients to palliative care (mean score 5.75, range 1-7, higher score indicating more willingness to refer). Linear regression demonstrated females had less anticipated stigma surrounding palliative care (B = -.213, P = .04) and higher acceptance of palliative care (B = -.244, P = .01). Most surveyed derived satisfaction from work with advanced cancer patients (83%). Nineteen percent were depressed by managing advanced cancer patients. One fourth felt emotionally burned out by dealing with too many deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Most gynecologic oncologists did not exhibit stigma surrounding palliative care and derive satisfaction from their work. Some gynecologic oncologists experience depression and burnout related to their profession. This close connection with patients as they transition to the end of life may take a toll on providers.

Early Femoral Access by Acute Care Surgeons: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Prevent Maternal Exsanguination in Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) use has expanded to the obstetric condition of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). Early reports of REBOA for PAS describe prophylactic catheter deployment. We developed a multidisciplinary approach to PAS, with early femoral artery access and selective REBOA deployment. We compared morbidity, mortality, and blood loss before and after implementation of our multidisciplinary protocol for PAS. Prior to, femoral access was obtained only emergently, and maternal death occurred in 2/3 cases (66%). Following protocol implementation, there was one maternal death (6%). There were no access-related complications. We have not yet needed to deploy the REBOA during PAS cases. In contrast to urgent hemorrhage control or prophylactic REBOA deployment, routine early femoral arterial access and selective REBOA deployment as part of a multidisciplinary team approach is a novel strategy for managing PAS. Our experience suggests most PAS cases do not require prophylactic REBOA deployment.

A Letter to Your Care Providers: Implementation and Analysis of a Letter-based Advance Care Planning Initiative for Gynecologic Oncology Patients.

To determine the impact of a letter-based advance care planning (ACP) healthcare improvement (HI) initiative on rates of ACP conversations and documentation among gynecologic oncology (GO) inpatients. An HI initiative was implemented from January to December 2020 to improve ACP documentation among GO inpatients. Patients admitted to the GO service were given ACP packets with a letter-based ACP worksheet. GO inpatients who were interested in learning more about ACP were visited by medical students trained to lead ACP conversations. ACP documentation rates in the EMR (electronic medical record) pre- and post-intervention were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and ACP documentation were analyzed using logistic regression. There were 172 patients admitted in 2019 (pre-implementation cohort). Of these, 45/172 patients (26%) had an advance directive (AD) documented in their electronic medical record (EMR). Following the implementation of the ACP HI in 2020, 55/168 patients (33%) had an AD documented in their EMR. This was a 7% absolute increase and 27% relative increase from pre-intervention AD documentation rates. Increasing age was associated with an increased likelihood of having an AD in the chart (p = 0.004). Married women were less likely to have an AD in their chart (p = 0.05). An HI utilizing a letter-based ACP packet given to GO inpatients improved AD documentation in the EMR. This HI offers a unique method for introducing ACP to patients. More work is needed to improve the occurrence and documentation of ACP conversations.

Palliative care in gynecologic oncology: a narrative review of current literature and vision for the future.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several professional societies have recommended incorporating palliative care into routine oncology care, yet palliative care remains underutilized among women with gynecologic cancers. This narrative review highlights current evidence regarding utilization of palliative care in gynecologic oncology care. Additionally, the authors offer recommendations to increase early integration and utilization of palliative care services, improve education for current and future gynecologic oncology providers, and expand the palliative care workforce. METHODS: The authors reviewed studies of palliative care interventions in oncology settings, with an emphasis on studies that included women with gynecologic malignancies. A panel of author/experts were gathered for a semi-structured interview to discuss the future of palliative care in gynecologic cancer care. The interview was recorded and reviewed to highlight themes. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Data supports routine integration of palliative care into gynecologic oncology practice. To expand delivery of palliative care, additional research that investigates implementation of palliative care across different healthcare settings is needed. There is a shortage of palliative care providers in the United States. Therefore, it is critical for gynecologic oncologists to receive a robust education in primary palliative care skillsets. Additionally, to expand the specialty palliative care workforce, palliative medicine leaders should recruit more gynecologic oncologists and other surgeons into palliative care fellowship programs. CONCLUSIONS: Expanded utilization of palliative care offers an opportunity to improve quality of care and outcomes for women with gynecologic cancers.

Provider education program on the Khorana score to promote venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in patients with gynecologic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a healthcare improvement initiative to improve provider compliance with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: A healthcare improvement initiative was implemented at our institution to improve compliance with American Society of Clinical Oncology venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis guidelines in patients receiving chemotherapy with a Khorana score ≥2. Baseline Khorana score and venous thromboembolism data were retrospectively collected for chemotherapy-naïve patients with gynecologic cancer initiating chemotherapy between December 2018 and November 2019. Data for the post-intervention period from December 2019 to December 2020 were captured prospectively. Primary outcome was compliance with American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines. Secondary outcomes were incidence of venous thromboembolism and complications surrounding venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis. RESULTS: We identified 62 patients in the pre-implementation cohort. Approximately half had a Khorana score of ≥2 (52%). Median Khorana score was 2 (range 1-4). None of these patients received prophylactic chemoprophylaxis. Seven (11%) of these patients were diagnosed with venous thromboembolism. Multivariate logistic regression showed increasing Khorana score was associated with increased venous thromboembolism risk (OR 4.9, p=0.01). With cut-off Khorana score of 2, there was no significant increase in venous thromboembolism. However, with a cut-off Khorana score of 3, patients were 15 times more likely to have venous thromboembolism (OR 15.2, p=0.04). In the post-intervention cohort, 22 patients were eligible for chemoprophylaxis and 11 patients were given anticoagulation (50% compliance with guidelines), with no incidence of venous thromboembolism or adverse effects of therapy noted among those receiving chemoprophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Notifying providers of a patient's Khorana score improves compliance with American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines for venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis among chemotherapy patients.

MAID ready for primetime?: A survey of SGO members regarding medical aid in dying (MAID).

OBJECTIVES: To assess SGO members' knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns regarding Medical Aid In Dying (MAID). METHODS: SGO members were surveyed via online survey. The survey included questions regarding demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns relating to MAID. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Associations between sociodemographic factors and attitudes related to MAID were analyzed utilizing logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 1,337 invited members, 225 (17%) responded. Median age was 46. Most were female (58%), white (81%), and in academic practice (64%). Over 50% had heard the term MAID and have had a patient ask about it. Few (20%) reported living in a state where MAID is legal and 61% of these respondents provided MAID. Sixty percent lived in a state that had not legalized MAID and 18% did not know if MAID was legal in their state. 36% of respondents living in a state where MAID was illegal/unknown legality indicated they would provide MAID if it were legal in their state, 30% would not, and 34% were uncertain. The majority (69%) of respondents believed MAID should be legal. Female respondents were more likely to support legalization of MAID (OR 2.44, p=<0.05). Respondents practicing in the southern U.S. were less likely to support legalization of MAID (OR 0.42, p=<0.05). Over 75% of respondents stated an SGO position statement on MAID would be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: MAID is a highly relevant topic for gynecologic oncologists. Gaps in MAID-related knowledge exist among SGO members and there is a desire for additional education and guidance regarding MAID.

Isolated subcutaneous recurrence of high-grade neuroendocrine tumor of the cervix.

•This case reports an isolated subcutaneous recurrence of neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix.•Multiple recurrences of NECC were treated surgically without additional systemic therapy.•There is a need for further studies to evaluate optimal treatment regimens for NECC.

Stopping the revolving door: An exploratory analysis of health care super-utilization in gynecologic oncology.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for health care super-utilization among gynecologic oncology patients at a single academic hospital. A retrospective cohort study of gynecologic oncology patients with an index unplanned encounter between January and December 2018 was performed. Super-utilizers were defined as patients with 3 or more unplanned hospital encounters during a 12-month period starting at the time of the index unplanned encounter. We identified 553 patients with gynecologic cancer. Of those, 37(7%) met inclusion criteria for super-utilizers accounting for 193/310(62%) of unplanned visits. The median number of unplanned visits was 4 (range 3-24). The most common cancers were uterine (N = 15 (41%)) and ovarian (N = 11 (30%)). Nineteen (51%) super-utilizers had advanced stage disease. Phases of oncologic care at index unplanned encounter included primary diagnosis (N = 24 (65%)), recurrence (N = 10 (27%)), and surveillance (N = 2 (5%)). Twelve super-utilizers (32%) had new diagnoses of cancer without prior therapy, 19(51%) had prior chemotherapy, 17(46%) had prior surgery, and 10(27%) had prior radiation therapy at the time of initial encounter. Fifteen super-utilizers (41%) were in the last year of life. The most common reasons for unplanned encounters were pain (66%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (61%). Multivariable analysis adjusting for key variables demonstrated that Medicaid insurance, ASA classification, and disease status are risk factors for health care super-utilization. The majority of health care utilization occurred during the first year of diagnosis. This exploratory analysis suggests an opportunity to decrease health care utilization, particularly during upfront treatment.

Prevalence of Anemia and Compliance With NCCN Guidelines for Evaluation and Treatment of Anemia in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer.

BACKGROUND: NCCN recommends evaluation and treatment of all patients with cancer who have anemia. Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of anemia among patients with gynecologic cancer and compliance with the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Hematopoietic Growth Factors. METHODS: We performed a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with primary gynecologic cancer between 2008 and 2018. We identified tumor registry-confirmed patients using ICD-O codes from the Synthetic Derivative database, a deidentified copy of Vanderbilt's electronic medical records. Patients were included if they were between ages 18 and 89 years, received initial care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and had a hemoglobin measurement within the first 6 months of diagnosis. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level ≤11 g/dL and was graded using CTCAE version 5.0. RESULTS: A total of 939 patients met inclusion criteria, with a median age of 60 years. The most common malignancy was uterine cancer. At the time of cancer diagnosis, 186 patients (20%) were noted to have anemia. Within 6 months of diagnosis, 625 patients (67%) had anemia, of whom 200 (32%) had grade 3 anemia and 209 (33%) underwent any evaluation of anemia, including 80 (38%) with iron studies performed. Of the patients with iron studies performed, 7 (9%) had absolute iron deficiency and 7 (9%) had possible functional iron deficiency. Among those with anemia within 6 months of diagnosis, 260 (42%) received treatment for anemia, including blood transfusion (n=205; 79%), oral iron (n=57; 22%), intravenous iron (n=8; 3%), vitamin B12 (n=37; 14%), and folate supplementation (n=7; 3%). Patients with ovarian cancer were significantly more likely to have anemia and undergo evaluation and treatment of anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is pervasive among patients with gynecologic cancer, but compliance with the NCCN Guidelines is low. Our data suggest that there are opportunities for improvement in the evaluation and management of anemia.

Pathologic distribution at the time of interval tumor reductive surgery informs personalized surgery for high-grade ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical approach for interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been extrapolated from primary tumor reductive surgery for high-grade ovarian cancer. The study objective was to compare pathologic distribution of malignancy at interval debulking surgery versus primary tumor reductive surgery. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of high-grade serous or mixed, non-mucinous, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy or primary tumor reductive surgery and had at least 6 months of follow-up were identified through tumor registry at a single institution from January 1995 to April 2016. Pathologic involvement of organs was categorized as macroscopic, microscopic, or no tumor. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 918 patients identified, 366 (39.9%) patients underwent interval debulking surgery and 552 (60.1%) patients underwent primary tumor reductive surgery. Median age was 62.3 years (range 25.3-92.5). The majority of patients in the interval debulking surgery group were unstaged (261, 71.5%). In the patients who had a primary tumor reductive surgery, 406 (74.6%) had stage III disease. In both groups, the majority of patients had serous histology: 325 (90%) and 435 (78.8%) in the interval debulking and primary tumor reductive surgery groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between disease distribution on the uterus between the groups; 31.4% of the patients undergoing interval debulking surgery had no evidence of uterine disease compared with 22.1% of primary tumor reductive surgery specimens (p<0.001). In the adnexa, there was macroscopic disease present in 253 (69.2%) and 482 (87.4%) of cases in the interval vs primary surgery groups, respectively (p<0.001). Within the omentum, no tumor was present in the omentum in 52 (14.2%) in the interval surgery group versus 91 (16.5%) in the primary surgery group (p<0.001). In the interval surgery group, there was no tumor involving the small and large bowel in 49 (13.4%) and 28 (7.7%) pathologic specimens, respectively. This was statistically significantly different from the small and large bowel in the primary surgery group, of which there was no tumor in 20 (3.6%, p<0.001) and 16 (2.9%, p<0.001) of cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing interval debulking surgery, there was less macroscopic involvement of tumor in the uterus, adnexa and bowel compared with patients undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery.

Association of Preoperative Patient Frailty and Operative Stress With Postoperative Mortality.

Importance: Patients with frailty have higher risk for postoperative mortality and complications; however, most research has focused on small groups of high-risk procedures. The associations among frailty, operative stress, and mortality are poorly understood. Objective: To assess the association between frailty and mortality at varying levels of operative stress as measured by the Operative Stress Score, a novel measure created for this study. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included veterans in the Veterans Administration Surgical Quality Improvement Program from April 1, 2010, through March 31, 2014, who underwent a noncardiac surgical procedure at Veterans Health Administration Hospitals and had information available on vital status (whether the patient was alive or deceased) at 1 year postoperatively. A Delphi consensus method was used to stratify surgical procedures into 5 categories of physiologic stress. Exposures: Frailty as measured by the Risk Analysis Index and operative stress as measured by the Operative Stress Score. Main Outcomes and Measures: Postoperative mortality at 30, 90, and 180 days. Results: Of 432 828 unique patients (401 453 males [92.8%]; mean (SD) age, 61.0 [12.9] years), 36 579 (8.5%) were frail and 9113 (2.1%) were very frail. The 30-day mortality rate among patients who were frail and underwent the lowest-stress surgical procedures (eg, cystoscopy) was 1.55% (95% CI, 1.20%-1.97%) and among patients with frailty who underwent the moderate-stress surgical procedures (eg, laparoscopic cholecystectomy) was 5.13% (95% CI, 4.79%-5.48%); these rates exceeded the 1% mortality rate often used to define high-risk surgery. Among patients who were very frail, 30-day mortality rates were higher after the lowest-stress surgical procedures (10.34%; 95% CI, 7.73%-13.48%) and after the moderate-stress surgical procedures (18.74%; 95% CI, 17.72%-19.80%). For patients who were frail and very frail, mortality continued to increase at 90 and 180 days, reaching 43.00% (95% CI, 41.69%-44.32%) for very frail patients at 180 days after moderate-stress surgical procedures. Conclusions and Relevance: We developed a novel operative stress score to quantify physiologic stress for surgical procedures. Patients who were frail and very frail had high rates of postoperative mortality across all levels of the Operative Stress Score. These findings suggest that frailty screening should be applied universally because low- and moderate-stress procedures may be high risk among patients who are frail.

A randomized trial of a specialist palliative care intervention for patients undergoing surgery for cancer: rationale and design of the Surgery for Cancer with Option of Palliative Care Expert (SCOPE) Trial.

BACKGROUND: In medical oncology settings, early specialist palliative care interventions have demonstrated improvements in patient quality of life and survival compared with usual oncologic care. However, the effect of early specialist palliative care interventions in surgical oncology settings is not well studied. METHODS: The Surgery for Cancer with Option for Palliative Care Expert (SCOPE) Trial is a single-center, prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of a specialist palliative care intervention for cancer patients undergoing non-palliative surgery. It will enroll 236 patients scheduled for major abdominal operations for malignancy, who will be randomized 1:1 at enrollment to receive usual care (control arm) or specialist palliative care consultation (intervention arm). Intervention arm patients will receive consultations from a palliative care specialist (physician or nurse practitioner) preoperatively and postoperatively. The primary outcome is physical and functional wellbeing at 90 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes are quality of life at 90 days postoperatively, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms at 180 days postoperatively, days alive at home without an emergency room visit in the first 90 postoperative days, and overall survival at 1 year postoperatively. Participants will be followed for 3 years after surgery for exploratory analyses of their ongoing quality of life, healthcare utilization, and mortality. DISCUSSION: SCOPE is an ongoing randomized controlled trial evaluating specialist palliative care interventions for cancer patients undergoing non-palliative oncologic surgery. Findings from the study will inform ways to identify and improve care of surgical patients who will likely benefit from specialist palliative care services. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03436290 First Registered: 16 February 2018 Enrollment Began: 1 March 2018 Last Update: 20 December 2018.

Infrared Spectrum of Fulvenallene and Fulvenallenyl in Helium Droplets.

Fulvenallene is the global minimum on the C7H6 potential energy surface. Rearrangement of fulvenallene to other C7H6 species and dissociation to produce fulvenallenyl radical (C7H5) is carried out in a continuous-wave SiC pyrolysis furnace at 1500 K. Prompt pick-up and solvation by helium droplets allows for the acquisition of vibrational spectra of these species in the CH stretching region. Anharmonic frequencies for fulvenallene, fulvenallenyl, and three isomers of ethynylcyclopentadiene are computed ab initio; VPT2+K spectral simulations are based on hybrid CCSD(T) force fields with quadratic (cubic and quartic) force constants computed using the ANO1 (ANO0) basis set. The acetylenic CH stretch of the fulvenallenyl radical is a sensitive marker of the extent by which the unpaired electron is delocalized throughout the conjugated propargyl and cyclopentadienyl subunits. The nature of this electron delocalization is explored with spin density calculations at the ROHF-CCSD(T)/ANO1 level of theory. Atomic partitioning of the spin density allows for a description of the fulvenallenyl radical in terms of two resonance structures: fulvenallenyl is approximately 24% allenic and 76% acetylenic.

The earlier the better: the role of palliative care consultation on aggressive end of life care, hospice utilization, and advance care planning documentation among gynecologic oncology patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of specialty palliative care consultation (PCC) on end of life care outcomes among terminally ill gynecologic oncology patients. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of currently deceased gynecologic oncology patients seen at a single, academic institution between October 2006 and October 2016. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were examined using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS: Two hundred and four patients were eligible. Forty-one percent underwent at least one marker of aggressive care at the end of life. Most (53%) had a PCC prior to death, and of these most were inpatient (89%). Patients with a PCC had higher odds of hospice enrollment before death (OR 2.55, p = 0.016) and higher odds of advance care planning documentation before death (OR 6.79, p = < 0.001). Among patients with an inpatient PCC, 44% underwent a marker of aggressive medical care at the end of life and 82% enrolled in hospice before death. Among patients with an outpatient PCC, 25% underwent a marker of aggressive medical care at the end of life and 92% enrolled in hospice before death. Patients with outpatient PCC were engaged in palliative care longer than patients with inpatient PCC (median 106 days vs. 33 days prior to death). CONCLUSIONS: PCC increased hospice enrollment and advance care planning documentation. Patients with outpatient PCC had lower rates of aggressive medical care and higher rates of hospice enrollment when compared to inpatient PCC. Location of initial PCC plays an important role in end of life care outcomes.

Helium Nanodroplet Isolation of the Cyclobutyl, 1-Methylallyl, and Allylcarbinyl Radicals: Infrared Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Computations.

Gas-phase cyclobutyl radical (•C4H7) is produced via pyrolysis of cyclobutylmethyl nitrite (C4H7(CH2)ONO). Other •C4H7 radicals, such as 1-methylallyl and allylcarbinyl, are similarly produced from nitrite precursors. Nascent radicals are promptly solvated in liquid He droplets, allowing for the acquisition of infrared spectra in the CH stretching region. For the cyclobutyl and 1-methylallyl radicals, anharmonic frequencies are predicted by VPT2+K simulations based upon a hybrid CCSD(T) force field with quadratic (cubic and quartic) force constants computed using the ANO1 (ANO0) basis set. A density functional theoretical method is used to compute the force field for the allylcarbinyl radical. For all •C4H7 radicals, resonance polyads in the 2800-3000 cm-1 region appear as a result of anharmonic coupling between the CH stretching fundamentals and CH2 bend overtones and combinations. Upon pyrolysis of the cyclobutylmethyl nitrite precursor to produce the cyclobutyl radical, an approximately 2-fold increase in the source temperature leads to the appearance of spectral signatures that can be assigned to 1-methylallyl and 1,3-butadiene. On the basis of a previously reported •C4H7 potential energy surface, this result is interpreted as evidence for the unimolecular decomposition of the cyclobutyl radical via ring opening, prior to it being captured by helium droplets. On the •C4H7 potential surface, 1,3-butadiene is formed from cyclobutyl ring opening and H atom loss, and the 1-methylallyl radical is the most energetically stable intermediate along the decomposition pathway. The allylcarbinyl radical is a higher-energy •C4H7 intermediate along the ring-opening path, and the spectral signatures of this radical are not observed under the same conditions that produce 1-methylallyl and 1,3-butadiene from the unimolecular decomposition of cyclobutyl.

The Advance Care Planning Readiness Scale: Development and Validation of a Measure of Willingness to Discuss and Acceptance of End-of-Life Care in Gynecologic Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article was to develop and validate a scale that assesses the readiness of gynecologic oncology patients to engage in advance care planning. METHODS: The Advance Care Planning Readiness Scale (ACPRS) was validated across 3 independent samples of gynecologic oncology patients. In step I, patients underwent cognitive interviewing to determine if the scale items were comprehensible and applicable to patients. Based on this, modifications to the scale (addition, removal, and merger of items) were completed. In step II, the revised scale was administered to a new sample of patients to assess scale reliability and validity. An exploratory factor analysis determined if the scale loaded onto unique factors. In step III, the revised scale was administered to a third sample of patients, and a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the factor structure proposed in step II. Associations between ACPRS score and completion of advance directives were evaluated. RESULTS: Based on patients' responses, the original ACPRS used in step I was modified to the ACPRS used in step II. The final 8-item ACPRS is a valid, reliable (Cronbach α = 0.81) scale and has 2 primary factors. Women with medical power of attorney documents and living wills had higher ACPRS total scores than those who did not have these advance directives (P = 0.0030). Women with do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders had higher ACPRS total scores than women without DNRs (P = 0.0176). CONCLUSIONS: The ACPRS is a valid and reliable 8-item scale that assesses the readiness of gynecologic oncology patients to discuss advance care planning issues.