An internal review of rates of palliative medicine referral for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Authors

Deanna Huffman

Deanna Huffman

Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA

Deanna Huffman , Karthik Shankar , Lynna Alnimer , Yazan Samhouri , Urwat Vusqa , Srividya Srinivasamaharaj , Dulabh K. Monga

Organizations

Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Internal Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Internal Medicine, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, Southfield, MI, Division of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, Division of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

Research Funding

No funding received
None

Background: Patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer face many challenges in addition to symptom burden including psychological stressors and often the need for supportive care at home. In recent years, both clinical trials and retrospective reviews have confirmed the benefits of early integration of palliative care services such as improved quality of life and reduced symptom intensity. The American College of Clinical Oncology recommends patients with advanced cancer receive directed palliative care services early after diagnosis and in concurrence with active treatment. While the benefit of palliative care services is clear, the best way to integrate palliative services has not been determined. Our project aims to review the rates of palliative care consultation in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer intending to improve patient outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at Allegheny General Hospital diagnosed between 2009-2020. Summary statistics are presented as percentages for categorical data and median with interquartile range for quantitative data. Results: Of the 171 patients reviewed, 121 competed all treatment and evaluation within our health network. Median age was 63 years (IQR 40-91 years); 55 patients (45%) were male. The majority were white (88%). At the time of diagnosis, 28% of our patients had stage IV disease and 19.8% of patients with stage IV disease had documented palliative care referrals. Eight patients had pain documented at diagnosis, six patients underwent celiac plexus neurolysis, 31 underwent palliative radiation and 43 patients had documented opiate use. Of the 6 patients who underwent celiac plexus neurolysis, only 4 documented pain at 6-month follow-up. Of the 31 patients who underwent palliative radiation, 6 documented pain at 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: Palliative care is an integral part of usual care for pancreatic cancer. Our analysis showed that palliative care is underutilized in our hospital with only 19.8% of patients having documented palliative care visits. While patients may refuse palliative care consult, other contributing factors are likely the lack of access or lack of early involvement of palliative care team members. Integration of palliative care has been proven repeatedly to improve quality of life in patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. We aim to improve palliative care integration in out patients’ care by adding a hard stop to electronic medical records to remind physicians to offer palliaitive care to the patients, in addition to arranging medical grand rounds and various lectures to increase awareness of the importance of palliative care in this setting.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Publication Only: Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Track

Gastrointestinal Cancer—Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Sub Track

Pancreatic Cancer

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 15; abstr e16245)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2021.39.15_suppl.e16245

Abstract #

e16245

Abstract Disclosures

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