Adherence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients to tumor board recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings or tumor boards (TBs) are fundamental components of cancer treatment. Although their primary function is improved outcomes, this aspect is often underreported. The main objective of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) discussed at TBs, and to compare the effect of adherence and nonadherence to recommended treatment plans on outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was conducted of HNSCC patients those who were adherent and nonadherent to TB therapy recommendations during 2008-2009 at a comprehensive cancer center. Fisher's exact test and t test were used for group-wise comparison, and Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression models, for survival analysis and determination of the contributing factors to nonadherence. RESULTS: Comprehensive Treatment plans were recommended by TBs in 293 HNSCC patients with curative intent. Seventy-two patients were excluded based on the selection criteria. Among the remaining 221 patients, 172 (77.9%) were adherent to TB recommendations, while 49 (22.1%) failed to comply. Patient (n = 36; 73.5%), clinician (n = 2; 4.1%), and disease-related (n = 11; 22.4%) factors were significant contributors to nonadherence. Mean (±standard deviation (SD)) survival time was 55.6 ± 2.32 and 29.1 ± 4 months in the adherent and nonadherent groups, (P < .0001, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that gender, ethnicity, higher T-stage, and multimodal treatment were associated with nonadherence. CONCLUSION: Adherence to TB recommendations improved overall survival, reflecting the importance of interdisciplinary expertise in contemporary cancer treatment. Early identification and intervention is crucial in "at risk" patients to prevent subsequent drop-out from optimal cancer care.

Is partial nephrectomy worth performing compared to radical nephrectomy for small, localised renal cortical tumours in geriatric patients?

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the likelihood of progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a cohort of geriatric Asian patients who underwent either partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) for localised pT1 kidney tumours. METHODS: Geriatric patients aged > 65 years who underwent PN or RN from 2005 to 2014 for localised kidney masses < 7 cm at a single institution were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) were calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Clinicopathological data was analysed for new-onset CKD after at least five years of follow-up. Postoperative complications were measured using the modified Clavien classification system. RESULTS: Among 67 patients, 36.4% had diabetes mellitus and 80.3% had hypertension. Pre-existing CKD with eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was present in 23.3% of PN and 43.2% of RN patients. RN and PN patients had similar postoperative morbidity. Those who underwent PN had immediate decline followed by gradual improvement of kidney function at six months after surgery. This improvement was sustained even for patients with four years of clinical follow-up. Among patients with normal preoperative kidney function, new-onset CKD after surgery was found in 20.0% and 52.9% of PN and RN patients, respectively (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In our study, geriatric patients who underwent PN for localised kidney mass < 7 cm had immediate decline but gradual and sustained improvement in kidney function. PN also resulted in less new-onset CKD through a five-year follow-up period.