Thoracic Oncology HERMES syllabus: setting the basis for thoracic oncology training in Europe

Why do we need harmonization in thoracic surgery: a view from above by the European Union of Medical Specialists

Founded in 1958 the UEMS (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes-European Union of Medical Specialists) has become the largest European Medical organization representing over 1.5 million specialists of 43 Specialties in 39 countries. The primary goal of UEMS is to defend the interests of Specialists in the broadest sense of the word. This includes promoting the highest quality of care, the highest standards of training, continuous professional development (CPD) and continuous medical education (CME). For the latter the European Accreditation Council for Continuous Medical Education (EACCME) is one of the main assets of UEMS. The UEMS Section of Thoracic Surgery was created in 2013 and has substantially contributed to the improvement of the identity of Thoracic Surgery as a specialty throughout Europe. Its main activities are focusing on harmonization of training and organization of the format of the UEMS Board in Thoracic Surgery as well as further molding of the specialty via an intense collaboration with all involved stakeholders over the specialty boundaries.

Continuous professional development: elevating thoracic oncology education in Europe

The @EuroRespSoc launches a new thoracic oncology continuous professional development programme http://bit.ly/31ShuTp.

Initial presentation of lung cancer in the emergency department: a descriptive analysis

BACKGROUND

Guidelines aimed at improving care for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada and worldwide, require accurate knowledge of the diagnostic setting or pathway. We sought to determine how often lung cancer is initially diagnosed through the emergency department.

METHODS

We performed a descriptive study that included all cases of primary lung cancer diagnosed in residents of Nova Scotia in 2014. Cancer registry data included diagnostic data and date of death to Aug. 31, 2016. We reviewed linked hospital records, including laboratory and imaging results, to identify the first positive diagnostic study and the route of presentation (emergency department v. other). We evaluated time from diagnosis to death as a function of presentation route using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression (hazard rate ratios [HRRs]).

RESULTS

Sufficient data were available for 946 of 951 cases identified, of which 336 (35.5%) were diagnosed through the emergency department. Cases diagnosed via the emergency department were more likely to be at an advanced stage (stage IV, 59.5% v. 43.4%), with patients experiencing shorter survival (1-yr survival, 28.4% v. 49.5%), including stage-specific survival. Mortality for cases diagnosed in the emergency department was 54% higher than for the non-emergency department group after adjusting for age and stage (HRR 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.32-1.81). Few patients (7.1%, n = 24) who presented to the emergency department reported having no family physician.

INTERPRETATION

The emergency department is a common route of presentation for lung cancer and is associated with advanced stage at diagnosis and reduced survival time. Strategies are needed to encourage pre-emergent diagnosis and to ensure that emergency providers are supported in the initial care of patients with lung cancer.

ERS statement on harmonised standards for lung cancer registration and lung cancer services in Europe

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) task force for harmonised standards for lung cancer registration and lung cancer services in Europe recognised the need to create a single dataset for use in pan-European data collection and a manual of standards for European lung cancer services.

The multidisciplinary task force considered evidence from two different sources, reviewing existing national and international datasets alongside the results of a survey of clinical data collection on lung cancer in 35 European countries. A similar process was followed for the manual of lung cancer services, with the task force using existing guidelines and national or international recommendations for lung cancer services to develop a manual of standards for services in Europe.

The task force developed essential and minimum datasets for lung cancer registration to enable all countries to collect the same essential data and some to collect data with greater detail. The task force also developed a manual specifying standards for lung cancer services in Europe.

Despite the wide variation in the sociopolitical landscape across Europe, the ERS is determined to encourage the delivery of high-quality lung cancer care. Both the manual of lung cancer services and the minimum dataset for lung cancer registration will support this aspiration.

Recommendations from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) regarding computed tomography screening for lung cancer in Europe

In order to provide recommendations regarding implementation of computed tomography (CT) screening in Europe the ESTS established a working group with eight experts in the field. On a background of the current situation regarding CT screening in Europe and the available evidence, ten recommendations have been prepared that cover the essential aspects to be taken into account when considering implementation of CT screening in Europe. These issues are: (i) Implementation of CT screening in Europe, (ii) Participation of thoracic surgeons in CT screening programs, (iii) Training and clinical profile for surgeons participating in screening programs, (iv) the use of minimally invasive thoracic surgery and other relevant surgical issues and (v) Associated elements of CT screening programs (i.e. smoking cessation programs, radiological interpretation, nodule evaluation algorithms and pathology reports). Thoracic Surgeons will play a key role in this process and therefore the ESTS is committed to providing guidance and facilitating this process for the benefit of patients and surgeons.

Thoracic oncology HERMES: European curriculum recommendations for training in thoracic oncology

Thoracic oncology HERMES: European curriculum recommendations for training in thoracic oncology http://ow.ly/mdqT300NHqO.

[Implementation of an oncological care program in a multidisciplinary clinic]

INTRODUCTION

A working group has highlighted guidelines in thoracic oncology in Europe without study of their implementation, due to a lack of data.

METHODS

The records of 354 untreated lung cancer patients seen between January 2009 and December 2012 were reviewed. Any new treatment should have been proposed by a multidisciplinary consultation (MDC) in accordance with an oncology care program (OCP) based on the European Lung Cancer Working Party guidelines.

RESULTS

For the 354 patients, there were 636 MDC (332, 176, 81 and 47 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and subsequent lines). For the first line, the MDC rate was 88%, in accordance with the OCP, and 75% of treatments were in agreement with the guidelines. For the 2nd and 3rd lines, the rates were 93% and 92% respectively (MDC), 90 and 89% (OCP), 55 and 63% (guidelines). In the first line, the main causes of non-compliance with the OCP were patient's refusal or doctor's choice and with guidelines a lack of adequate recommendations for specific situations such as comorbidities or the appearance of new treatments.

CONCLUSION

The vast majority of patients are the subject of a MDC with a high rate of application of OCP. Guidelines should be updated regularly to incorporate new treatments.