Enrollment of esophago-gastric cancer patients in a clinical fast-track program and it’s affect on time to treatment and quality of life.

Authors

null

Atuhani S. Burnett

McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

Atuhani S. Burnett , Jack Mouhanna , Jose Ramirez-Garcialuna , Emma Lee , Julie Breau , Mary Diovisalvi , Thierry Alcindor , Jamil Asselh , Marie Vanhuyse , Joanne Alfieri , Marc David , Carmen L. Mueller , Jonathan D. Spicer , Jonathan Cools-Lartigue , Lorenzo Ferri

Organizations

McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

Research Funding

Other

Background: Esophago-gastric cancers are aggressive malignancies requiring numerous investigations to plan complex multi-modal therapy. The path from initial diagnosis to treatment can be associated with a long delay. This delay and complex patient trajectory may impact quality of life. Given the poor prognosis and highly symptomatic nature of upper GI cancer, a clear and timely access to treatment of crucial importance. We sought to determine the impact of a newly implemented streamlined and structure interdisciplinary pathway for newly diagnosed esophageal and gastric cancer on access times to treatment and quality of life (QoL). Methods: A streamlined pathway for patients referred to a high volume Upper GI Cancer clinic was generated with input from physicians, nutritionists, specialized nurses, and social workers. New diagnosis of esophageal or gastric cancer from 2014-16 were enrolled in this program and consenting patients completed serial QoL questionnaires (ESAS) at baseline, pre-treatment, 1 month post treatment. Dysphagia (DS) was quantified on a 5 point scale. Time intervals (days) were evaluated at various points between diagnosis and start of treatment (diagnosis, CT imaging, first visit with upper GI program, start of treatment). Data presented as median(IQR), * p < 0.05. Results: Of the 251 patients with Upper GI cancer, 153 (61%) consented to participate including 140 esophageal/EGJ and 13 gastric cancer patients. Clinical stage distribution was 17.9% I, 30.7% II, 42.6% III, 8.7% IV. Of the 82 Esoph/EGJ patients with completed QoL questionnaires, 15 (18.3%) patients had severe dysphagia (DS = 3-4) and were prioritized for treatment. Patients with severe dysphagia had reduced time from index endoscopy to treatment (29 (16.3-39.3) vs 43 (32.8-68.0)days)* and first Upper GI clinic to treatment (15 (8.0-23.0) vs 25 (21.0-36.0)*. ESAS surveys showed increased QoL for both patients with and without dysphagia from baseline to pre-treatment indicating that simply entry into the streamlined program improved QoL. Conclusions: Structured interdisciplinary investigative and treatment programs for upper GI cancers can expedite time to treatment and improve QoL.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2018 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach

Track

Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach

Sub Track

Multidisciplinary Treatment

Citation

J Clin Oncol 36, 2018 (suppl 4S; abstr 180)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2018.36.4_suppl.180

Abstract #

180

Poster Bd #

L18

Abstract Disclosures

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