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For lower GI cancer survivors, it is feasible to obtain PROs from an Internet-based survivorship tool. Survivors report a wide spectrum of LLTEs, and these can be used to inform counseling at the time of diagnosis and to help anticipate and respond to disease-related and treatment-related sequelae during follow-up. The authors are among the first to report on PROs in anal cancer survivors. Further investigation on the impact of SCPs on health care communication and use is needed. Cancer 2017;123:1860-1868. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

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Purpose Multimodal treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) yields excellent outcomes; however, survivors are at risk of developing myriad late and long-term effects. Methods From a convenience sample of 964 survivors of HL (37%) and NHL (63%) using a publicly available Internet-based survivorship care plan (SCP) tool between 2011 and 2016, we examined patient-reported cancer care, toxicities, and survivorship care data. Results Of all survivors, 67% were female and 84% were white and 88% were free of cancer. Median age of diagnosis was 28 years for survivors of HL and 49 years for NHL. Many survivors reported treatment with chemotherapy (92%), surgery (52%), and/or radiation (41%), with most radiation delivered to chest/mantle fields (81%). Survivors reported a diversity of radiation- and chemotherapy-related sequelae, including thyroid dysfunction, speaking and/or swallowing changes, pulmonary fibrosis/pneumonitis, heart disease, chronic fatigue, neurocognitive decline, neuropathy, sexual changes, and secondary breast cancers. Few reported receipt of previous survivorship information. Most reported management/comanagement by an oncology specialist after active treatment; however, a shift to management by primary care provider alone was observed as a trend over time in follow-up. Sixty-six percent of users who responded to a follow-up survey reported that they intend to share the SCP with their health care team. Conclusion Survivors of lymphoma, many of whom are free of disease, report a substantial burden of late and long-term adverse effects, suboptimal delivery of survivorship information, and transitions of care in follow-up in which fragmented systems and/or poor communication may contribute to unmet survivor needs. Multiple opportunities thus exist for which SCPs may be used to improve awareness regarding survivorship and associated adverse effects in addition to communicating follow-up care plans between survivors and treatment teams.

A substantial number of CC survivors, often considered incurable but treatable, seek survivorship support. Tools to facilitate participation, communication, and coordination of care are valuable for these patients, and future iterations of SCPs should be designed to address the particular circumstances of living with CC. Cancer 2017;123:4268-4276. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

695 Background: There is significant need for quality follow-up care to optimize long-term outcomes for the growing population of lower gastrointestinal (GI) cancer survivors. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide valuable information regarding late- and long-term effects. Methods: Using a convenience sample from 1,129 colon, rectal and anal cancer survivors (n=792, 218, and 119, respectively) who utilized an Internet-based survivorship care plan (SCP) tool, we examined patient-reported demographics, treatment, and toxicity data. Responses from a follow-up survey were reviewed. Results: Median age of diagnosis was 51 years and median current age was 54 years. 81% of respondents were Caucasian and 58% were female. The most commonly reported late- and long-term effects for all survivors were neuropathy (65%), fatigue (56%), cognitive changes (49%), changes in GI function (43%), sexual dysfunction (22% in males, 43% in females), and radiation-induced dermatologic effects including changes in color/texture of skin (39%) and loss of flexibility in radiated areas (31%). The prevalence of these effects varied with length of time since treatment and treatment modality. Anal cancer patients reported a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction and radiation-induced dermatologic effects. Over 87% of users reported satisfaction levels of "good" to "excellent" using this tool, and 69% reported they intend to share SCP with their healthcare team. Conclusions: For lower GI cancer survivors, it is feasible to obtain PROs from an Internet-based survivorship tool. Survivors report a wide spectrum of late- and long-term side effects, which can be used to inform counseling at time of diagnosis, as well as help anticipate and respond to disease- and treatment-related sequelae during follow-up. We are among the first to report on PROs in anal cancer survivors. Further investigation on the impact of SCPs on healthcare communication and use is needed.

PurposeHead and neck cancer is occurring in an increasingly younger patient population, with treatment toxicity that can cause significant morbidity. Using a patient guided, Internet-based survivorship care plan program, we obtained and looked at patterns of patient-reported outcomes data from survivors seeking information after treatment for head and neck cancer.MethodsThe Internet-based OncoLife and LIVESTRONG Care Plan programs were employed, which design unique survivorship care plans based on patient-reported data. Care plans created for survivors of head and neck cancer were used in this evaluation. Demographics, treatment modality, and toxicity were included in this evaluation. Toxicity was further analyzed, grouped into system-based subsets.ResultsA total of 602 care plans were created from self-identified head and neck cancer survivors, from which patient-reported outcome data were attained. A majority of patients were Caucasian (96.2%) with median age at diagnosis of 55 years, living in suburban locations (39.9%), with ~50% receiving care within 20 miles of their residence. There was an equal distribution of education levels from high school only to graduate school. The majority of patients received care through cancer centers (96.7%), with a split between academic and non-academic centers. Ninety-three percent of patients had radiation therapy as part of their treatment modality, with 70.3% having chemotherapy and 60.1% having surgery. The most common system toxicities affected the oropharynx, followed by epithelium (skin/hair/nail), and then general global health. Specifically, the most common side effects were difficulty swallowing (61.5%) and changes in skin color/texture (49.7%). One third of patients experienced hearing/tinnitus/vertigo, xerostomia, loss of tissue flexibility, or fatigue.ConclusionThe current work demonstrates the ability to obtain patient-reported outcomes of head and neck cancer survivors through an Internet-based survivorship care plan program. For this group dysphagia and dermatitis were the most commonly reported toxicities, as was expected; however, global effects of therapy, such as fatigue, were also significant and should be addressed in future survivorship planning.

BackgroundThere is little reported on the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in morbid obesity after venous thromboembolism (VTE).MethodsThis was an observational study of patients after intermediate- or high- risk pulmonary embolus (PE) who followed up in the University of Rochester Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic 2–4 months after the initial event with echocardiogram and V/Q imaging regardless of symptoms. Rates of recurrent VTE, thrombus resolution, and development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in patients with morbid obesity treated with a DOAC compared to vitamin K antagonists and non-morbidly obese patient after PE. Using the electronic medical record, recurrent events were assessed out to 12 months.Results107 patients (32, BMI>40; 39, BMI 30–39.9; and 36, BMI<30) followed up after treatment for PE. A DOAC was used in 70 patients (19, BMI>40; 27, BMI 30–39.9; and 24, BMI<30). There were no recurrent events within the first 12 months of initial diagnosis based on symptoms and imaging in any patient. There was no difference in rate of residual unmatched perfusion defect with DOAC or conventional anticoagulation, 49% versus 49%. This finding remained in the subset of morbidly obese patients at 47% versus 50%. For the overall cohort, there was no difference in the rate of CTEPH development based on anticoagulation with DOAC having a rate of 5% (versus 8% with warfarin). There were no major bleeding complications with DOAC.ConclusionDOAC therapy appears to be effective and safe in morbid obesity even after intermediate- or high- risk PE. ​