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R. Savla
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P1.11 - Poster Session/ Palliative and Supportive Care (ID 229)
- Event: WCLC 2015
- Type: Poster
- Track: Palliative and Supportive Care
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:
- Coordinates: 9/07/2015, 09:30 - 17:00, Exhibit Hall (Hall B+C)
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P1.11-010 - Therapeutic and Supportive Care Unmet Needs in Lung Cancer Patients (ID 548)
09:30 - 09:30 | Author(s): R. Savla
- Abstract
Background:
The current drug evaluation model is designed at primarily optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Measures of quality of life and patient reported outcomes are often relegated as secondary endpoints. Even with excellent outcome results, there are many aspects of the patient journey that need to be addressed and improved. It is possible to improve therapeutic outcomes by addressing these other aspects of patient care. This study was concerned with elucidating these areas of unmet therapeutic and supportive needs.
Methods:
An online survey tool was used to collect lung cancer patient responses to questions about treatments, quality of life, and supportive therapies during their lung cancer treatment regimens. The various measures of outcomes, disease progression, treatments, quality of life, and side effects and their management were stratified according to lung cancer stage at diagnosis and other patient factors.
Results:
Responses from 106 lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell) patients were collected and analyzed. The study population had a significantly better 5-year survival rate compared to the national average for lung cancer patients. Only 2% of patients reported financial difficulties as a result of lung cancer. The patient population was quite homogenous (89.3% females and 90.4% white). Eighty percent of patients reported experiencing side effects from chemotherapy and of those, 86% reported that taking chemotherapy was difficult because of the side effects. Patients diagnosed at Stage II and III experienced the most side effects and received the highest average number of treatment modalities. Patients who agreed/strongly agreed that side effects affected ability to take chemotherapy experienced a significantly higher number of side effects than those patients who reported that side effects were not as bothersome. The same was seen with patients who agreed/ strongly agreed that side effects caused lifestyle disturbance. A subset of side effects negatively affected quality of life to a greater extent than other (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue). Neuropathy and loss of appetite were the most poorly managed side effects. When asked what changes to chemotherapy administration they would like, the most common responses were oral agents or no changes.
Conclusion:
Even with excellent therapeutic outcomes, there continue to be unmet needs that can improve patient experience and quality of life. Side effects continue to be troublesome and common in cancer therapy. Side effects had negative impact on lifestyle and ability to take chemotherapy. Certain side effects are poorly managed. Better supportive care for chemotherapy-related issues can enhance patient quality of life and may further improve quality of life.
