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Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Apr 2022Complex surgery and radiotherapy are the central pillars of loco-regional oncology treatment. This paper describes the reimbursement schemes used in radiation and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Complex surgery and radiotherapy are the central pillars of loco-regional oncology treatment. This paper describes the reimbursement schemes used in radiation and complex surgical oncology, reports on literature and policy reviews.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic review of the literature of the reimbursement models has been carried out separately for radiotherapy and complex cancer surgery based on PRISMA guidelines. Using searches of PubMed and grey literature, we identified articles from scientific journals and reports published since 2000 on provider payment or reimbursement systems currently used in radiation oncology and complex cancer surgery, also including policy models.
RESULTS
Most European health systems reimburse radiotherapy using a budget-based, fee-for-service or fraction-based system; while few reimburse services according to an episode-based model. Also, the reimbursement models for cancer surgery are mostly restricted to differences embedded in the DRG system and adjustments applied to the fees, based on the complexity of each surgical procedure. There is an enormous variability in reimbursement across countries, resulting in different incentives and different amounts paid for the same therapeutic strategy.
CONCLUSION
A reimbursement policy, based on the episode of care as the basic payment unit, is advocated for. Innovation should be tackled in a two-tier approach: one defining the common criteria for reimbursement of proven evidence-based interventions; another for financing emerging innovation with uncertain definitive value. Relevant clinical and economic data, also collected real-life, should support reimbursement systems that mirror the actual cost of evidence-based practice.
Topics: Fee-for-Service Plans; Humans; Neoplasms; Radiation Oncology; Surgical Oncology
PubMed: 34461186
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.08.002 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Aug 2023Folate metabolism is a target for various chemotherapeutic drugs. Folate and its synthetic variant folic acid are B-vitamins. To what extent these vitamins impact... (Review)
Review
Folate metabolism is a target for various chemotherapeutic drugs. Folate and its synthetic variant folic acid are B-vitamins. To what extent these vitamins impact treatment tolerance in patients with cancer remains unclear. A systematic literature review was conducted on intake and status of folate and folic acid in relation to chemotherapy-induced toxicities in children and adults with cancer. A total of 6231 publications were identified, of which 40 publications met the inclusion criteria. In 12 out of 22 studies focusing on antifolates, a deficient folate status and lower folate and folic acid intake were associated with a higher risk of toxicities. In 8 out of 14 studies focusing on fluoropyrimidine treatments, a higher folate status and intake were associated with a higher risk of toxicities. These findings might explain interindividual differences in treatment tolerance and highlight the importance of evaluating nutritional status in oncology care.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Folic Acid; Vitamin B Complex; Nutritional Status; Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37353179
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104061 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2019Shared decision-making (SDM) is a strategy to facilitate patient-centered care and is increasingly important in oncology, where patients are faced with complicated... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Shared decision-making (SDM) is a strategy to facilitate patient-centered care and is increasingly important in oncology, where patients are faced with complicated treatment decisions that require them to weigh efficacy and safety, quality of life, and cost. Understanding the contributors to the use of SDM may provide insight to its further implementation. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the patient-related barriers/facilitators to SDM in oncology care.
METHODS
A systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was executed. A search strategy composed of cancer, decision-making, and patient-centered terms was conducted utilizing PubMed, EBSCO MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases between January 2007 and November 2017. Full-text, US-based, English language articles describing the patient perspective of SDM in oncology care were included. Relevant data from articles were reviewed in a qualitative synthesis.
RESULTS
From 3435 potential citations, a total of 35 articles were included. The most common cancers studied were breast (n = 22; 62.9%) and prostate (n = 9; 25.7%). The identified themes for barriers to SDM were uncertainty in the treatment decision, concern regarding adverse effects, and poor physician communication. Themes for facilitators for SDM included physician consideration of patient preferences, positive physician actions and behaviors, and use or encouragement of support systems.
CONCLUSION
As SDM gains use within oncology practice, understanding key influences will allow for more effective implementation of strategies to increase patient engagement and improve care and value in the treatment process.
Topics: Decision Making; Humans; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Patient Participation; Patient-Centered Care; Quality of Life
PubMed: 30737578
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04675-7 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Jan 2023Dyspnea is a common and distressing symptom for oncology patients.However, dyspnea is not well-characterized and often underestimated by clinicians. This systematic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dyspnea is a common and distressing symptom for oncology patients.However, dyspnea is not well-characterized and often underestimated by clinicians. This systematic review summarizes the prevalence, intensity, distress, and impact of dyspnea in oncology patients and identifies research gaps.
METHODS
A search of all of the relevant databases was done from 2009 to May 2022. A qualitative synthesis of the extant literature was performed using established guidelines.
RESULTS
One hundred-seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Weighted grand mean prevalence of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer was 58.0%. Intensity of dyspnea was most common dimension evaluated, followed by the impact and distress. Depression and anxiety were the most common symptoms that co-occurred with dyspnea.
CONCLUSION
Numerous methodologic challenges were evident across studies. Future studies need to use valid and reliable measures; evaluate the impact of dyspnea; and determine biomarkers for dyspnea.
Topics: Humans; Anxiety; Dyspnea; Neoplasms; Prevalence
PubMed: 36375635
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103870 -
Pediatric Research Mar 2022Research indicates reduced physical performance from diagnosis into survivorship of pediatric cancer patients. However, there is no systematic information or guideline...
BACKGROUND
Research indicates reduced physical performance from diagnosis into survivorship of pediatric cancer patients. However, there is no systematic information or guideline available on the methods to assess physical performance and function in this population. The purpose was to systematically compile and describe assessments of physical performance and function in patients and survivors of pediatric cancer, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, speed, balance, flexibility, functional mobility, gait and motor performance test batteries.
METHODS
We searched the databases PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database and performed abstract and full-text selection of 2619 articles according to the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews. Information on patients characteristics, assessments, information on validity and reliability, and relevant references was extracted.
RESULTS
In summary, 63 different assessments were found in 149 studies including 11639 participants. Most studies evaluated cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength with the majority conducted off treatment. Some outcomes (e.g. speed) and diagnoses (e.g. neuroblastoma) were severely underrepresented. With the exception of gait, leukemia patients represented the largest group of individuals tested.
CONCLUSIONS
Insufficient data and patient heterogeneity complicate uniform recommendations for assessments. Our results support researchers and practitioners in selecting appropriate assessment to meet their specific research questions or individual daily practice needs.
IMPACT
This systematic review includes 149 studies and provides a comprehensive summary of 63 assessments to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, speed, balance, flexibility, functional mobility, gait or motor performance test batteries in patients and survivors of pediatric cancer. We present the most studied fields within the pediatric cancer population, which are cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, off treatment phase, and leukemia patients. We propose research priorities by identification of subgroups in terms of cancer type, phase of treatment, and outcome of interest that are underrepresented in studies currently available.
Topics: Child; Humans; Leukemia; Neoplasms; Physical Fitness; Physical Functional Performance; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 33859367
DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01523-5 -
Cancer Medicine Sep 2023Survival of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer improved over the last decades due to better diagnostics, treatment, and supportive care. Quality criteria... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Survival of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer improved over the last decades due to better diagnostics, treatment, and supportive care. Quality criteria that measure, compare, and make the quality of care of individual pediatric oncology centers more transparent are heterogeneous and inconsistent.
AIM
With this systematic review, we aimed to summarize existing quality criteria for pediatric oncology centers in countries with highly developed health-care systems.
METHODS
We searched three databases for publications, and websites for guidelines about quality criteria for pediatric oncology centers in February 2022. We considered all types of publications except expert opinions. We excluded publications not focusing on highly developed health-care systems, addressing the certification of professionals, or focusing on subspecialties (e.g., pediatric neuro-oncology). We discarded quality criteria if they were too specific (e.g., for a specific treatment center), too broad (e.g., national 5-year overall survival), or if the aspect was covered by standardized clinical procedures or at the national level. We grouped the identified criteria thematically.
RESULTS
We identified 18 publications and guideline documents with 530 criteria, of which 201 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The combination of similar criteria resulted in 90 overarching criteria, which we assigned to the following categories: facilities and networks, multidisciplinary team and other experts, supportive care, treatment, long-term care, and volume and numbers.
CONCLUSION
Our results provide a comprehensive overview of existing quality criteria for pediatric oncology in countries with highly developed health-care systems. These criteria can serve as a basis to develop national quality criteria in pediatric oncology.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37584279
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6452 -
Journal of Oncology Practice May 2015The management of cancer varies across its type, stage, and natural history. This necessitates involvement of a variety of individuals and groups across a number of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The management of cancer varies across its type, stage, and natural history. This necessitates involvement of a variety of individuals and groups across a number of provider types. Evidence from other fields suggests that a team-based approach helps organize and optimize tasks that involve individuals and groups, but team effectiveness has not been fully evaluated in oncology-related care.
METHODS
We undertook a systematic review of literature published between 2009 and 2014 to identify studies of all teams with clear membership, a comparator group, and patient-level metrics of cancer care. When those teams included two or more people with specialty training relevant to the care of patients with cancer, we called them multidisciplinary care teams (MDTs). After reviews and exclusions, 16 studies were thoroughly evaluated: two addressing screening and diagnosis, 11 addressing treatment, two addressing palliative care, and one addressing end-of-life care. The studies included a variety of end points (eg, adherence to quality indicators, patient satisfaction with care, mortality).
RESULTS
Teams for screening and its follow-up improved screening use and reduced time to follow-up colonoscopy after an abnormal screen. Discussion of cases within MDTs improved the planning of therapy, adherence to recommended preoperative assessment, pain control, and adherence to medications. We did not see convincing evidence that MDTs affect patient survival or cost of care, or studies of how or which MDT processes and structures were associated with success.
CONCLUSION
Further research should focus on the association between team processes and structures, efficiency in delivery of care, and mortality.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Cooperative Behavior; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms; Patient Care Team; Patient Compliance; Physician's Role; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Workflow
PubMed: 25873056
DOI: 10.1200/JOP.2014.003350 -
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives Dec 2023Pharmacogenomics remains underutilized in clinical practice, despite the existence of internationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines. This systematic review aims... (Review)
Review
Pharmacogenomics remains underutilized in clinical practice, despite the existence of internationally recognized, evidence-based guidelines. This systematic review aims to understand enablers and barriers to pharmacogenomics implementation in pediatric oncology by assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of healthcare professionals and consumers. Medline, Embase, Emcare, and PsycINFO database searches identified 146 relevant studies of which only three met the inclusion criteria. These studies reveal that consumers were concerned with pharmacogenomic test costs, insurance discrimination, data sharing, and privacy. Healthcare professionals possessed mostly positive attitudes toward pharmacogenomic testing yet identified lack of experience and training as barriers to implementation. Education emerged as the key enabler, reported in all three studies and both healthcare professionals and consumer groups. However, despite the need for education, no studies utilizing a pediatric oncology consumer or healthcare professional group have reported on the implementation or analysis of a pharmacogenomic education program in pediatric oncology. Increased access to guidelines, expert collaborations and additional guidance interpreting results were further enablers established by healthcare professionals. The themes identified mirror those reported in broader pediatric genetic testing literature. As only a small number of studies met inclusion criteria for this review, further research is warranted to elicit implementation determinants and advance pediatric pharmacogenomics.
Topics: Humans; Child; Pharmacogenetics; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel; Medical Oncology; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38013228
DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1150 -
Critical Reviews in Oncology/hematology Feb 2024Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing side effect of cancer and treatment, affecting both patients during active treatment and survivors, negatively impacting... (Review)
Review
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing side effect of cancer and treatment, affecting both patients during active treatment and survivors, negatively impacting quality of life. While its exact cause remains uncertain, various mechanisms such as immune dysfunction, HPA-axis dysfunction, and treatment toxicity are proposed. Inflammatory biomarkers of CRF have been explored in previous research, but non-inflammatory markers have not been comprehensively studied. This systematic review analysed 33 studies to identify non-inflammatory peripheral blood biomarkers associated with CRF. Promising markers included Hb, blood coagulation factors, BDNF, tryptophan, GAA, mtDNA, platinum, CA125, and cystatin-C. Inconsistent findings were observed for other markers like VEGF, leptin, and stress hormones. Most studies focused on adults. Research in pediatrics is limited. This review showed partial evidence for the inflammaging hypothesis (neurotoxicity due to neuro-inflammation) laying at the basis of CRF. Further research, especially in pediatrics, is needed to confirm this hypothesis and guide future biomarker studies.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Quality of Life; Neoplasms; Biomarkers; Survivors; Fatigue
PubMed: 38141868
DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104245 -
The American Surgeon Dec 2023Metastatic, malignant phyllodes tumor (PT) of the breast is a rare and aggressive neoplasm. Currently, there is no agreed upon consensus as to best management practices.... (Review)
Review
Metastatic, malignant phyllodes tumor (PT) of the breast is a rare and aggressive neoplasm. Currently, there is no agreed upon consensus as to best management practices. A systematic review of literature was conducted investigating surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiotherapeutic management for metastatic PT. Databases employed to identify articles included Embase, PubMed, and SAGE Journals. Diagnosis of metastatic PT has been of significant difficulty to radiologists as it is often confused with fibroadenomas. Surgically, metastatectomy has been correlated with increased overall survival (of 25.9 versus 9.9 months; = .01). Radiotherapy has often been associated with palliation and pain control in metastatic, malignant neoplasia. However, one study showed that in malignant PT, radiation was associated with significantly lower rates of local recurrence (OR: 0.048 versus 0.209). Anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimens has been associated with improved overall survival (22.4 months versus 13.2 months; = .040). Further research must be conducted into this rare malignancy to elucidate accurate diagnosis and care for patients with advanced metastatic or malignant phyllodes tumors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Phyllodes Tumor; Breast; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Breast Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37611540
DOI: 10.1177/00031348231198114