1
|
Niyibizi BA, Muhizi E, Rangira D, Ndoli DA, Nzeyimana IN, Muvunyi J, Irakoze M, Kazindu M, Rugamba A, Uwimana K, Cao Y, Rugengamanzi E, de Dieu Kwizera J, Manirakiza AVC, Rubagumya F. Multidisciplinary approach to cancer care in Rwanda: the role of tumour board meetings. Ecancermedicalscience 2023; 17:1515. [PMID: 37113712 PMCID: PMC10129399 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2022.1515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cancer treatment is complex and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Tumour Board Meetings (TBMs) provide a multidisciplinary platform for health care providers to communicate about treatment plans for patients. TBMs improve patient care, treatment outcomes and, ultimately, patient satisfaction by facilitating information exchange and regular communication among all parties involved in a patient's treatment. This study describes the current status of case conference meetings in Rwanda including their structure, process and outcomes. Methods The study included four hospitals providing cancer care in Rwanda. Data gathered included patients' diagnosis, number of attendance and pre-TBM treatment plan, as well as changes made during TBMs, including diagnostic and management plan changes. Results From 128 meetings that took place at the time of the study, Rwanda Military Hospital hosted 45 (35%) meetings, King Faisal Hospital had 32 (25%), Butare University Teaching Hospital (CHUB) had 32 (25%) and Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK) had 19 (15%). In all hospitals, General Surgery 69 (29%) was the leading speciality in presenting cases. The top three most presented disease site were head and neck 58 (24%), gastrointestinal 28 (16%) and cervix 28 (12%). Most (85% (202/239)) presented cases sought inputs from TBMs on management plan. On average, two oncologists, two general surgeons, one pathologist and one radiologist attended each meeting. Conclusion TBMs in Rwanda are increasingly getting recognised by clinicians. To influence the quality of cancer care provided to Rwandans, it is crucial to build on this enthusiasm and enhance TBMs conduct and efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eulade Muhizi
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Gynecology, Munini District Hospital, Nyabihu, Rwanda
| | - Daniella Rangira
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Diane A Ndoli
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - Jackson Muvunyi
- Department of Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Magnifique Irakoze
- Department of Gynecology, Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Madeleine Kazindu
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- School of Medicine, College of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Alex Rugamba
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ruhango Provincial Hospital, Ruhango, Rwanda
| | - Khadidja Uwimana
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- School of Medicine, College of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Yuanzhen Cao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
| | - Eulade Rugengamanzi
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Oncology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Ocean Road Cancer Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jean de Dieu Kwizera
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gisenyi Hospital, Rubavu, Gisenyi, Rwanda
| | - Achille VC Manirakiza
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Fidel Rubagumya
- Rwanda Cancer Relief, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- School of Medicine, College of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nanyanga I, Kwikiriza GK, Atwiine B, Namazzi R, Musiime V, Kambugu JB, van Heerden J. A retrospective evaluation of the presentation, prognostic factors and outcomes of neuroblastoma in Ugandan children. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 40:281-299. [PMID: 36562399 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2022.2159593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. The complete burden and outcomes in Uganda are unknown. The study was a multicenter retrospective chart review of children aged between 0 to 15 years diagnosed with NB from 2010 to 2020. Demographic, clinical and tumor-related characteristics were extracted for analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression models were used to determine the one-year overall survival (OS) and identify prognostic factors. Seventy-five patients were evaluated, with a median age at diagnosis of 48 months (IQR 26-108 months). Fever (74.7%), weight loss (74.7%), high blood pressure (70.3%) and abdominal swelling/mass (65.3%) were the most common features at diagnosis. Suprarenal tumors (52%) and stage 4 disease (70.7%) were also common. The one-year OS was 60.0% (95%CI 56.8%; 64.3%) with a median survival time of 12.6 months (95% CI: 8.1; 20.8). The one-year OS for non-metastatic and metastatic disease was 67.3% and 42.6% (p = 0.11) respectively. Leukocytosis (p < 0.001) at diagnosis was of prognostic significance while clinical remission after induction chemotherapy (p < 0.001) provided survival advantages. Children who received maintenance chemotherapy had a longer median survival time of 38.5 months (range 10.8-69.5). Age (p = 0.001), lung metastasis (p < 0.001), and leukocytosis (p < 0.001) remained significant on multivariate analysis. In this Ugandan study, leukocytosis was a clinical predictor of prognosis, metastatic disease had management challenges and maintenance chemotherapy prolonged the survival time but not OS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Nanyanga
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Barnabas Atwiine
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Head of Department, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Ruth Namazzi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Head of Hematology-oncology, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Victor Musiime
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Professor of Pediatrics, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Jaques van Heerden
- Department of pediatric Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital, Consultant Pediatric Oncologist, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abdelhafeez AH, Reljic T, Kumar A, Banu T, Cox S, Davidoff AM, Elgendy A, Ghandour K, Gerstle JT, Karpelowsky J, Kaste SC, Kechiche N, Esiashvili N, Nasir A, Ngongola A, Marollano J, Moreno AA, Muzira A, Parkes J, Saldaña LJ, Shalkow J, Vujanić GM, Velasquez T, Lakhoo K, Mukkada S, Abib S. Evidence-based surgical guidelines for treating children with Wilms tumor in low-resource settings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29906. [PMID: 35929184 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival of Wilms tumor (WT) is > 90% in high-resource settings but < 30% in low-resource settings. Adapting a standardized surgical approach to WT is challenging in low-resource settings, but a local control strategy is crucial to improving outcomes. OBJECTIVE Provide resource-sensitive recommendations for the surgical management of WT. METHODS We performed a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE through July 7, 2020, and used the GRADE approach to assess evidence and recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS Initiation of treatment should be expedited, and surgery should be done in a high-volume setting. Cross-sectional imaging should be done to optimize preoperative planning. For patients with typical clinical features of WT, biopsy should not be done before chemotherapy, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy should precede surgical resection. Also, resection should include a large transperitoneal laparotomy, adequate lymph node sampling, and documentation of staging findings. For WT with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava, neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be given before en bloc resection of the tumor and thrombus and evaluation for viable tumor thrombus. For those with bilateral WT, neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be given for 6-12 weeks. Neither routine use of complex hilar control techniques during nephron-sparing surgery nor nephron-sparing resection for unilateral WT with a normal contralateral kidney is recommended. When indicated, postoperative radiotherapy should be administered within 14 days of surgery. Post-chemotherapy pulmonary oligometastasis should be resected when feasible, if local protocols allow omission of whole-lung irradiation in patients with nonanaplastic histology stage IV WT with pulmonary metastasis without evidence of extrapulmonary metastasis. CONCLUSION We provide evidence-based recommendations for the surgical management of WT, considering the benefits/risks associated with limited-resource settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdelhafeez H Abdelhafeez
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Tea Reljic
- Office of Research Conduct and Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Ambuj Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Tahmina Banu
- Chittagong Research Institute for Children Surgery, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Sharon Cox
- Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew M Davidoff
- Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.,University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Ahmed Elgendy
- Surgical Oncology Unit, Tanta University & Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt, Tanta, Gharbia, Egypt
| | - Khalil Ghandour
- Department of Surgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - J Ted Gerstle
- Pediatric Surgery Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan Karpelowsky
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Division of Child & Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Children's Cancer Research Unit -Kids Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sue C Kaste
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.,Department of Radiaology and Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Nahla Kechiche
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Monastir, LR12SP13, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Natia Esiashvili
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Abdulrasheed Nasir
- Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital/University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Amon Ngongola
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Amabelle A Moreno
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Arlene Muzira
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeannette Parkes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lily J Saldaña
- Pediatric Surgery Service, Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño de San Borja, Lima, Peru
| | - Jaime Shalkow
- Pediatric Surgery, National Institute of Paediatrics and ABC Cancer Centre, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gordan M Vujanić
- Department of Pediatric Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Thelma Velasquez
- Department of Oncology, Unidad Nacional de Oncologia Pediatrica, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Kokila Lakhoo
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Sheena Mukkada
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.,Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Simone Abib
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Oncology Institute - GRAACC - Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Okello CD, Niyonzima N, Ferraresso M, Kadhumbula S, Ddungu H, Tarlock K, Balagadde-Kambugu J, Omoding A, Ngendahayo L, Karagu A, Mwaiselage J, Harlan JM, Uldrick TS, Turner SD, Orem J. Haematological malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa: east Africa as an example for improving care. Lancet Haematol 2021; 8:e756-e769. [PMID: 34481552 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(21)00198-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Haematological malignancies account for almost 10% of all cancers diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa, although the exact incidences and treatment outcomes are difficult to discern because population-based cancer registries in the region are still underdeveloped. More research on haematological malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa is required to establish whether these cancers have a natural history similar to those diagnosed in high-income countries, about which more is known. Several factors negatively affect the outcome of haematological malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa, showcasing a need for improved understanding of the clinicobiological profile of these cancers to facilitate prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment through increased capacity building, infrastructure, community awareness, coordinated resource mobilisation, and collaboration across the world. The east African governments have pooled resources for common investments to tackle non-communicable diseases, developing the East Africa's Centres of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education project funded by the African Development Bank, an initiative that could be replicated for the care of haematological malignancies in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. TRANSLATION: For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Katherine Tarlock
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Louis Ngendahayo
- Anatomical Pathology Service, University Teaching Hospital of Kamenge, Bujumbura, Burundi
| | | | | | | | - Thomas S Uldrick
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Clinical audit of retinoblastoma management: a retrospective single-institution study. Can J Ophthalmol 2021; 57:257-269. [PMID: 34077747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to identify the frequency of death, metastasis, enucleation, and use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) among retinoblastoma patients. The secondary aim was to determine whether any events were associated with suboptimal clinical management to identify areas for clinical care improvement. METHODS Patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015, at The Hospital for Sick Children were included. Medical records of eligible patients underwent a comprehensive 2-part review. First, a chart review collected diagnostic details, treatment course, and occurrence of 4 events: death, metastasis, use of EBRT, and enucleation. Next, events were reviewed in detail, and a multidisciplinary committee reached consensus on cases managed suboptimally. RESULTS The study included 209 patients (292 eyes). There were 8 deaths, 11 metastases, 177 enucleations (143 primary, 34 secondary), and 8 uses of EBRT. Thirteen patients were reviewed by the multidisciplinary committee, which confirmed that 5 of these patients had events associated with suboptimal clinical management. Three patients developed metastases leading to death (misdiagnosis and mismanagement of trilateral retinoblastoma [1], parental refusal of enucleation [1], and inaccurate histopathology after primary enucleation [1]). One patient developed extraocular extension related to scleral invasion following aggressive focal therapy. One patient underwent secondary enucleation for a Group B eye related to mismanagement of a treatment complication. DISCUSSION Deaths, metastases, and enucleations with documented instances of suboptimal care highlighted a need to enhance medical team and patient communication, histopathology interpretation, laser treatment guidelines, and trilateral retinoblastoma management. Routine clinical audit of retinoblastoma management can identify areas for clinical practice change.
Collapse
|
6
|
Othman MY, Blair S, Nah SA, Ariffin H, Assanasen C, Soh SY, Jacobsen AS, Lam C, Loh AHP. Pediatric Solid Tumor Care and Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Southeast Asia. JCO Glob Oncol 2020; 6:1328-1345. [PMID: 32886560 PMCID: PMC7529532 DOI: 10.1200/go.20.00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric solid tumors require coordinated multidisciplinary specialist care. However, expertise and resources to conduct multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) are lacking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to profile the landscape of pediatric solid tumor care and practices and perceptions on MDTBs among pediatric solid tumor units (PSTUs) in Southeast Asian LMICs. METHODS Using online surveys, availability of specialty manpower and MDTBs among PSTUs was first determined. From the subset of PSTUs with MDTBs, one pediatric surgeon and one pediatric oncologist from each center were queried using 5-point Likert scale questions adapted from published questionnaires. RESULTS In 37 (80.4%) of 46 identified PSTUs, availability of pediatric-trained specialists was as follows: oncologists, 94.6%; surgeons, 91.9%; radiologists, 54.1%; pathologists, 40.5%; radiation oncologists, 29.7%; nuclear medicine physicians, 13.5%; and nurses, 81.1%. Availability of pediatric-trained surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists was significantly associated with the existence of MDTBs (P = .037, .005, and .022, respectively). Among 43 (89.6%) of 48 respondents from 24 PSTUs with MDTBs, 90.5% of oncologists reported > 50% oncology-dedicated workload versus 22.7% of surgeons. Views on benefits and barriers did not significantly differ between oncologists and surgeons. The majority agreed that MDTBs helped to improve accuracy of treatment recommendations and team competence. Complex cases, insufficient radiology and pathology preparation, and need for supplementary investigations were the top barriers. CONCLUSION This first known profile of pediatric solid tumor care in Southeast Asia found that availability of pediatric-trained subspecialists was a significant prerequisite for pediatric MDTBs in this region. Most PSTUs lacked pediatric-trained pathologists and radiologists. Correspondingly, gaps in radiographic and pathologic diagnoses were the most common limitations for MDTBs. Greater emphasis on holistic multidisciplinary subspecialty development is needed to advance pediatric solid tumor care in Southeast Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Yusran Othman
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital Tunku Azizah (Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sally Blair
- Vietnam Pediatric Hematology Oncology Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Division of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shireen A. Nah
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hany Ariffin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chatchawin Assanasen
- Vietnam Pediatric Hematology Oncology Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Southeast Asia Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Pediatrics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
| | - Shui Yen Soh
- Haematology/Oncology Service, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
| | - Anette S. Jacobsen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
- SingHealth-Duke NUS Global Health Institute, Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Catherine Lam
- St Jude Global, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Amos H. P. Loh
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
- SingHealth-Duke NUS Global Health Institute, Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|