Influence of comorbidity in cancer surgery on treatment decisions, postoperative course and oncological outcome

Evaluating the risk of comorbidity onset in elderly patients after a cancer diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a critical disease that affects a person physically, mentally, socially, and in many other aspects. During the treatment stage of cancer, patients suffer from various health complexities, especially elderly people, which might result in the onset of other diseases development of a comorbid condition. Several studies have shown comorbidity plays a crucial role in cancer survival. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive statistical techniques at the national level studies to assess the significance of comorbidities development in cancer. Our research aims to address this gap by comparing cancer and non-cancer individuals over four years' time period.

METHODS

The Health Retirement Study (HRS) data was used to extract information from 6651 participants aged more than 50. Within a 4-year time span, cross-sectional observations were created whether comorbidities or not based on the development of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, and psychological disease.

RESULTS

In the multivariable regression model, we observed higher chances of developing comorbidity (OR = 1.321, p-value 0.0051) among the cancer group compared to the non-cancer group, adjusting the socio-economic factors. Moreover, the socio-economic factors were found to be significantly associated with cancer leading to applying the propensity score matching with (1:3 matching). Finally, the balanced data also showed significantly higher chances of developing comorbidity (OR = 1.294, p-value 0.0207) among cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The above findings demonstrated the imperative development of enhanced treatment protocols, which prioritize the overall health of cancer patients, thereby reducing their susceptibility to additional illnesses.

Association of body composition and surgical outcomes in patients with early-stage breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a disease that requires multimodality treatment, and surgical resection of the tumor is a critical component of curative intent treatment. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) > 30, has been associated with increased surgical complications. Additionally, sarcopenia, a condition of gradual loss of muscle mass, has been associated with worse breast cancer treatment outcomes. Sarcopenia occurs with increased age, inactivity, and poor diet leading to patient frailty, which can increase medical treatment complications. Even patients with high BMI can have sarcopenia (termed sarcopenic obesity). We investigated the association of sarcopenia with surgical complications for breast cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patients diagnosed with breast cancer who received bioelectrical impedance spectrometry analysis of skeletal muscle mass and had surgery at our institution. Patient characteristics, treatment data, surgical type and complications were obtained from medical records. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to associate sarcopenia status and BMI with surgical complications, adjusted for other patient characteristics.

RESULTS

We analyzed 682 patients with stage I to III breast cancer. On multivariable logistic regression controlling for age, BMI, comorbidities, and types of surgeries (lumpectomy, mastectomy with or without reconstruction), sarcopenia (p = 0.66) was not associated with surgical complications. Obesity was associated with a higher rate of surgical complications in patients who received mastectomy with reconstruction (p = 0.01). More complex surgical approaches were associated with a higher risk of surgical complications in our series.

CONCLUSION

Compared with those undergoing lumpectomy or mastectomy without reconstruction, patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction were more likely to experience postoperative complications and obesity was associated with higher risk of complication in the latter group. We did not identify a correlation between sarcopenia and rate of adverse surgical outcomes.

Impact of obesity on short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for Japanese patients with colorectal cancer: A multicenter study

INTRODUCTION

The impact of obesity on short-term outcomes after laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LAC) in Asian patients is unclear. The purpose of the present multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LAC in obese Japanese patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1705 patients who underwent LAC between April 2016 and February 2019. Patients were classified according to body mass index (BMI): non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m² , n = 1335), obese I (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m² , n = 313), and obese II (BMI ≥30 kg/m² , n = 57). Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with comorbidities (non-obese, 58.1%; obese I, 69.6%; obese II, 75.4%; P < .001) and median operation time (non-obese, 224 minutes; obese I, 235 minutes; obese II, 258 minutes; P = .004) increased significantly as BMI increased. The conversion rate was similar among the groups (P = .715). Infectious complications were significantly high in obese II patients (non-obese, 10.4%; obese I, 8.3%; obese II, 28.1%; P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed that in obese II patients, BMI was an independent predictive factor of infectious postoperative complications (odds ratio 2.648; 95% confidence interval, 1.421-4.934; P = .002).

CONCLUSION

LAC has an increased risk of postoperative infectious complications in obese II patients, despite improvements in surgical technique. Management of obese II colorectal cancer patients requires meticulous perioperative management.

Improving management of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer using comprehensive medical assessment: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Screening for and active management of comorbidity soon after cancer diagnosis shows promise in altering cancer treatment and outcomes for comorbid patients. Prior to a large multi-centre study, piloting of the intervention (comprehensive medical assessment) was undertaken to investigate the feasibility of the comorbidity screening tools and proposed outcome measures, and the feasibility, acceptability and potential effect of the intervention.

METHODS

In this pilot intervention study, 72 patients of all ages (36 observation/36 intervention) with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled and underwent comorbidity screening and risk stratification. Intervention patients meeting pre-specified comorbidity criteria were referred for intervention, a comprehensive medical assessment carried out by geriatricians. Each intervention was individually tailored but included assessment and management of comorbidity, polypharmacy, mental health particularly depression, functional status and psychosocial issues. Recruitment and referral to intervention were tracked, verbal and written feedback were gathered from staff, and semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 13 patients to assess screening tool and intervention feasibility and acceptability. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Patients were followed for 6-12 months after recruitment to assess feasibility of proposed outcome measures (chemotherapy uptake and completion rates, grade 3-5 treatment toxicity, attendance at hospital emergency clinic, and unplanned hospitalisations) and descriptive data on outcomes collated.

RESULTS

Of the 29 intervention patients eligible for the intervention, 21 received it with feedback indicating that the intervention was acceptable. Those in the intervention group were less likely to be on 3+ medications, to have been admitted to hospital in previous 12 months, or to have limitations in daily activities. Collection of data to measure proposed outcomes was feasible with 55% (6/11) of intervention patients completing chemotherapy as planned compared to none (of 14) of the control group. No differences were seen in other outcome measures. Overall the study was feasible with modification, but the intervention was difficult to integrate into clinical pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study generated valuable results that will be used to guide modification of the study and its approaches prior to progressing to a larger-scale study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospective, 26 August 2019, ACTRN12619001192178.

[Usefulness of minimally invasive spine surgery for the management of thoracolumbar spinal metastases]

Objetivo:

Describir los resultados quirúrgicos y evolución de pacientes con metástasis espinales toraco-lumbares operadas con técnica mínimamente invasiva (MISS) utilizando para la decisión terapéutica la evaluación: Neurológica, Oncológica, Mecánica y Sistémica (NOMS).

Material y Métodos:

Se incluyeron en forma prospectiva pacientes con metástasis espinales toraco-lumbares operados con técnica MISS por el Servicio de Neurocirugía del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre Junio de 2014 y Junio de 2017. Se utilizó en todos los casos el algoritmo de evaluación NOMS para la decisión terapéutica. Se analizaron los resultados quirúrgicos postoperatorios como el Karnofsky performance status, dolor (VAS – visual analog scale), Frankel, pérdida sanguínea, necesidad de transfusiones, complicaciones, uso de opioides y días de internación. Se consideró como estadísticamente significativo una P < 0.05.

Resultados:

Durante el período de estudio 26 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, de los cuales 13 fueron mujeres. La edad promedio fue 57 (27-83) años. El origen más frecuente de las lesiones fue cáncer de mama (27%). El síntoma más constante fue el dolor (96%), aunque 12 pacientes manifestaron inicialmente mielopatía (46%). Se observaron grados avanzados de invasión del canal con requerimiento de descompresión en el 65% de los casos. Acorde al Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score, 23 pacientes (89%) presentaron lesiones potencialmente inestables o inestables, requiriendo estabilización. Se evidenció una mejoría estadísticamente significativa del VAS en el 77% y del Frankel en el 67% de los casos tras la cirugía. No hubo necesidad de transfusiones. Se registró sólo una complicación quirúrgica leve (4%). La media de internación fue de 5.5 días.

Conclusión:

En nuestra serie y utilizando como algoritmo terapéutico el NOMS, la cirugía MISS resultó efectiva tanto para la descompresión como para la estabilización espinal, con baja tasa de complicaciones y rápida recuperación postoperatoria.

Surgical site infection in clean-contaminated wounds after multimodal treatment of advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence rate for surgical site infections (SSI), patient- and therapy-related risk factors in UICC stage III and IV oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy, ablative surgery and immediate microvascular free flap reconstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 85 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma treated by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, tumor surgery and immediate free flap reconstruction. Patient-, therapy-related factors and blood parameters were collected for this selective cohort.

RESULTS

The incidence for SSI was 44.7% and for transplant loss 14.1%. Minor BMI changes (p = 0.010), diabetes (p = 0.003), edentulous status (p = 0.006) and cessation of alcohol consumption (0.034) showed to be significant patient-related risk factors. No therapy-related factors were found to be significantly influencing the risk for SSI. Neutrophil counts (p = 0.027) and GGT (p = 0.002) were found to be significantly linked to SSI.

CONCLUSION

The not so common treatment option for oral squamous cell carcinomas showed no more risk for SSI compared to standard treatment options. Preserving the ability for healthy nutrition has a significant impact on the development of SSI. This applies not only to the presented and particular treatment option.

Changes in gastrointestinal cancer resection rates

Background

Many developments in medicine are likely to have influenced the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, including rates of resection. This study sought to investigate changes in surgical resection rates over time among patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

Patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2012 in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry area were included. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influence of interval of diagnosis on the likelihood of having a resection.

Results

Among 43 370 patients, crude resection rates decreased between 1995 and 2012 for gastric, colonic and rectal cancer, most notably for patients aged at least 85 years with gastric cancer (from 37·3 to 13·3 per cent), and patients aged 75–84 years and 85 years or more with rectal cancer (from 80·5 to 64·4 per cent, and from 58·9 to 36·0 per cent respectively). After adjustment for patient and tumour characteristics, patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2012 with gastric (odds ratio (OR) 0·71, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 0·92), colonic (OR 0·52, 0·44 to 0·62), rectal (OR 0·39, 0·33 to 0·48) and periampullary (OR 0·42, 0·27 to 0·66) cancers were less likely to undergo resection than those diagnosed between 1995 and 1998. Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer were more likely to undergo resection in recent periods (OR 4·13, 2·57 to 6·64).

Conclusion

Resection rates have fallen over time for several gastrointestinal cancers. This might reflect increased availability of other treatments, better selection of patients as a result of improved diagnostic accuracy, risk-avoiding behaviour and transparency related to surgical outcomes at hospital and surgeon level.