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Symptoms and needs of head and neck cancer patients at diagnosis of incurability: prevalences, clinical implications, and feasibility of a prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Little is known about the physical symptoms and psychosocial burden of patients at the time of diagnosis of an incurable situation, although cancer treatment guidelines demand early assessment and integration of palliative care concepts, beginning fr...

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Main Authors: Alt-Epping, Bernd (Author) , Seidel, Wiebke (Author) , Vogt, Jeannette (Author) , Mehnert, Anja (Author) , Thomas, Michael (Author) , Oorschot, Birgitt van (Author) , Wolff, Hendrik (Author) , Schliephake, Henning (Author) , Canis, Martin (Author) , Dröge, Leif H. (Author) , Nauck, Friedemann (Author) , Lordick, Florian (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: March 30, 2016
In: Oncology research and treatment
Year: 2016, Volume: 39, Issue: 4, Pages: 186-191
ISSN:2296-5262
DOI:10.1159/000445307
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1159/000445307
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/445307
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Author Notes:Bernd Alt-Epping, Wiebke Seidel, Jeannette Vogt, Anja Mehnert, Michael Thomas, Birgitt van Oorschot, Hendrik Wolff, Henning Schliephake, Martin Canis, Leif H. Dröge, Friedemann Nauck, Florian Lordick, on behalf of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Palliativmedizin (APM) of the German Cancer Society (DKG)
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Summary:<b><i>Background:</i></b> Little is known about the physical symptoms and psychosocial burden of patients at the time of diagnosis of an incurable situation, although cancer treatment guidelines demand early assessment and integration of palliative care concepts, beginning from the diagnosis of incurability. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Therefore, we initiated a prospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study assessing the symptoms and needs of patients suffering from incurable cancer (various entities), from the time of diagnosing incurability (i.e., before palliative anticancer treatment was initiated) and in 3-monthly intervals thereafter, by using validated self-reporting tools. Here, we focus on patients with head and neck cancer and present preliminary results on symptoms and need prevalences, on clinical implications, and on the feasibility of a methodologically complex assessment procedure in a particularly vulnerable study population. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 22 patients completed the first visit. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scores and most physical symptoms and psychosocial items varied between the extremes, from a virtually uncompromised condition to extremely perceived symptoms and needs. If intense face-to-face study support was provided, the study concept proved to be feasible, despite the complexity of assessment, problems in interdisciplinary and patient communication, comorbidities, and early death from complications. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The striking variability in the perceived symptom and need intensities requires a highly individualized approach. For clinical purposes, a less complex screening procedure would be desirable, in order to enable a routine, early and comprehensive support, including palliative care services.
Item Description:Gesehen am 17.08.2020
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:2296-5262
DOI:10.1159/000445307

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