Background
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on well-being has the potential for serious negative consequences on work, home life, and patient care. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Resilience Task Force collaboration set out to investigate well-being in oncology over time since COVID-19.
Methods
Two online anonymous surveys were conducted (survey I: April/May 2020; survey II: July/August 2020). Statistical analyses were performed to examine group differences, associations, and predictors of key outcomes: (i) well-being/distress [expanded Well-being Index (eWBI; 9 items)]; (ii) burnout (1 item from eWBI); (iii) job performance since COVID-19 (JP-CV; 2 items).
Results
Responses from survey I (1520 participants from 101 countries) indicate that COVID-19 is impacting oncology professionals; in particular, 25% of participants indicated being at risk of distress (poor well-being, eWBI ≥ 4), 38% reported feeling burnout, and 66% reported not being able to perform their job compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. Higher JP-CV was associated with better well-being and not feeling burnout (
P
< 0.01). Differences were seen in well-being and JP-CV between countries (
P
< 0.001) and were related to country COVID-19 crude mortality rate (
P
< 0.05). Consistent predictors of well-being, burnout, and JP-CV were psychological resilience and changes to work hours. In survey II, among 272 participants who completed both surveys, while JP-CV improved (38% versus 54%,
P
< 0.001), eWBI scores ≥4 and burnout rates were significantly higher compared with survey I (22% versus 31%,
P
= 0.01; and 35% versus 49%,
P
= 0.001, respectively), suggesting well-being and burnout have worsened over a 3-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
In the first and largest global survey series, COVID-19 is impacting well-being and job performance of oncology professionals. JP-CV has improved but risk of distress and burnout has increased over time. Urgent measures to address well-being and improve resilience are essential.
To estimate the cumulative randomized evidence for the overall incidence of bisphosphonates induced jaw osteonecrosis in adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Trials were located through PubMed, ISI, Cochrane Library, and major cancer scientific meetings searches. We identified 15 studies reporting data on osteonecrosis of the jaw. A total of 10,694 randomized women were included, of whom 5,312 received bisphosphonates and 5,382 received either placebo or no treatment.
A holistic approach to cancer management should be followed. Patient's treatment is the major medical concern, but health system and professionals should be involved in the mental and physical support of caregivers as well. Tailored interventions that focus on the support of the dyad patient-caregiver should be developed.
Background Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) ranks among the ten most common malignancies worldwide. Cancer of unknown primary presents as disseminated disease, has a dismal prognosis and remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The natural history and biology of the disease is poorly understood, and efforts are focused on identifying the specific 'CUP signature'.
4006 Background: Many pts with aGOAC are elderly and/or frail. We previously compared epirubin/ oxaliplatin/ capecitabine (EOCap) vs OCap vs Cap in a pick-the-winner study and found OCap best. GO2 was designed to find the optimum dose of OCap and to explore the use of an objective baseline geriatric assessment to individualize doses for maximum Overall Treatment Utility (OTU), a composite of clinical benefit, tolerability, QL and patient value. Methods: Pts with aGOAC were eligible if unsuitable for full-dose EOCap due to age or frailty, but fit for OCap; GFR ≥ 30, bili <2x ULN. Baseline assessment included global QL; symptoms; functional scales; comorbidity; frailty. Randomization was 1:1:1 to dose Level A (Ox 130 mg/m2d1, Cap 625 mg/m2bd d1-21, q21d), B (80% Level A doses) or C (60% Level A doses). Pts with GFR 30-50 ml/min or bili 1.5-2.0 xULN received 75% of the allocated dose of Cap. At 9 wks, pts were scored for OTU. Continuation thereafter was based on clinical judgement. Non-inferiority (vs A) was assessed using PFS censored at 12 months, with boundary HR 1.34 (based on discussion with pts and clinicians), needing 284 PFS events per 2-way comparison. Baseline fitness was assessed as predictive of OTU, overall and by interaction with dose level. Results: 514 pts were randomised, 2014-17, at 61 UK centres. Clinical trial information: 44687907. Non-inferiority of PFS is confirmed for Level B vs A (HR 1.09, CI 0.89-1.32) and for Level C vs A (HR 1.10, CI 0.90-1.33). Level C pts had less toxicity and better OTU outcomes than A or B. When analysed by baseline age, frailty and PS, Level C produced the best OTU even in younger, less frail and better PS patients; no group was identified who benefit more from the higher dose levels. Conclusions: This is the largest RCT to date specifically investigating frail and/or elderly aGOAC pts, and should guide future treatment. The lowest dose tested was non-inferior in terms of PFS and produced less toxicity and better overall treatment utility.[Table: see text]
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