23: Gynecologic cancer patients’ interests in music therapy

Background: Music therapy has been used as complementary therapy in oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy for decades. Several studies have suggested potential benefits associated with music therapy use, including alleviation of mood symptoms like anxiety and other common chemotherapy side effects like nausea and vomiting. Although case reports have reported music therapy use among women with gynecologic cancers, no formal studies have been conducted. Purpose: To evaluate patients’ thoughts on music therapy as an adjunct to chemotherapy and to evaluate patients’ use of music therapy in comparison to other media types. Methods: We conducted a feasibility study that prospectively surveyed adult women undergoing chemotherapy for a gynecologic cancer (endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, etc) within 1 hospital center from June 2018 to July 2019. Women were asked demographic and preliminary questions prior to being provided preselected music on an audio listening device. Following their chemotherapy session, women were asked to complete a survey remarking on their thoughts about music therapy and use of other media. Basic descriptive statistics were conducted. Results: Overall, 20 women completed surveys, of which 50% were 30–59 years of age, with the remainder greater than 60 years of age. Women were predominately Caucasian (75%) and mostly had either ovarian (50%) or endometrial (45%) cancer. Overall, 80% of women chose to listen to the music provided instead of their own music. Most women (35%) listened to music for 30–39 minutes during their chemotherapy session. Choice of music genre varied greatly between women. Ultimately, 70% of women participated in another activity in addition to listening to music, with 85% choosing to switch to another activity entirely at some point during their chemotherapy session. The most common activities patients engaged in besides music therapy included talking to family and friends (65%), social media (30%), reading (25%), and sleeping (25%). Women found music therapy to be very helpful, relaxing, and a good time-filler. Conclusion: Although many women listened to music during their chemotherapy, most also engaged in another activity, sometimes switching completely to that other activity. Based on our findings and the difficulties of even surveying patients, participation in a larger study aimed at evaluating effects of music therapy on chemotherapy in women with gynecologic cancers may be quite difficult

Retrospective review of cesarean hysterectomy outcomes utilizing uterine intravascular interventions in a large, community-based healthcare setting

OBJECTIVE: To explore outcomes of women with planned cesarean hysterectomies, with or without use of internal iliac intravascular occlusive balloon catheter or uterine artery embolization (UAE). STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed adult women who underwent a planned cesarean hysterectomy, 2004-2019. All planned cases were included, regardless of indication. Planned surgeries were divided into three groups: balloon placement, UAE, or no intervention. Patients with balloon placement were further subdivided into: balloons placed but not deployed or balloons placed and deployed intraoperatively. Hemorrhage was defined as estimated blood loss (EBL) ≥1,500 mL. An adverse outcome was defined as one or more of the following: intensive care unit admission, thromboembolism, ureteral stent placement, amputation, or reoperation. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore differences among groups and adverse outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent planned cesarean hysterectomy. Ten patients (29.4%) had balloons placed, nine (26.5%) had UAE, and 15 (44.1%) had no intervention. Risk of hemorrhage was clinically higher among those with balloon placement (80% vs. 33% UAE vs. 60% no intervention; P = 0.14), with mean EBL (3,605.0 mL vs. 1,488.9 mL vs. 2,289.3 mL; P = 0.05) and mean transfusion requirements (9.3 units vs. 2.8 vs. 4.4; P = 0.01) being significantly higher. Adverse outcomes were also significantly higher among those with balloon placement (80.0% vs. 66.7% UAE vs. 20.0% no intervention; P ≤ 0.01). Of the ten patients with balloons placed, four were deployed. Among those with balloons placed and deployed, mean EBL (5,250.0 mL vs. 2,508.3 mL balloons placed but not deployed vs. 2,289.3 mL no intervention; P=0.04) and mean transfusion requirements (11 units vs. 7.5 units balloons placed but not deployed vs. 4.4 units no intervention; P = 0.05) were significantly higher. Adverse outcomes were also significantly higher among those who had balloons placed and deployed (100.0% vs. 66.7% balloons placed but not deployed vs. 20.0% no intervention; P ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Balloon placement, regardless of deployment, may not be beneficial to women undergoing a planned cesarean hysterectomy. Although UAE was also associated with adverse outcomes, it may be a better option for reducing intraoperative blood loss among patients with a planned cesarean hysterectomy

Using prophylactic antihemorrhagic medications in second-trimester surgical abortions

We aimed to estimate the association of prophylactic antihemorrhagic medication use during dilation and evacuation (D&E) with operative hemorrhage and estimated blood loss (EBL). Records for all pregnant patients between 14 and less than 22 weeks of gestation who had a D&E procedure from January 2012 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Prophylactic antihemorrhagic medication use was defined as receiving vasoconstrictors, uterotonics, or both before identification of hemorrhage during a D&E procedure. Overall, 147 D&E procedures were completed at a mean of 16.4 (±2.2) weeks of gestation. Prophylactic medications were used in 72.1% (n=106) of D&E procedures. Prophylactic medication use was associated with lower operative hemorrhage (21.7% vs 51.2%, P \u3c .01) and lower EBL (336.9 mL vs 551.3 mL, P \u3c .01)

Sexual quality of life after the treatment of gynecologic cancer: what women want

PURPOSE: While the incidence of sexual dysfunction after treatment for gynecologic malignancies is well documented, few studies describe how patients want healthcare providers to address these concerns. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in sexual function and describe patient preferences regarding healthcare provider roles in addressing and treating sexual dysfunction in gynecologic cancer survivors. METHODS: Patients undergoing gynecologic cancer treatment from 2013 to 2014 at a single University-based Gynecologic Cancer clinic were surveyed using a modified Changes in Sexual Function Questionnaire (CSFQ), along with questions relating to healthcare provider interactions and preferences. RESULTS: Among 277 eligible patients approached to participate, 85 (30.7%) completed the survey. The mean age was 52.2 ± 12.3 years; most were non-Hispanic White (78.8%), partnered (73.2%), had endometrial or ovarian cancer (30.6% and 44.7%, respectively), and were in surveillance (57.3%). Most women (64.7%) reported much or great sexual enjoyment 1 year prior to cancer treatment which decreased to 27.4% currently; 33.3% report only rare sexual activity. There were no statistically significant differences in mean total CSFQ scores by treatment modality. A minority wanted healthcare providers to initiate sexual health discussions (25.3%); the remaining reported not wanting sexual health addressed or preferred raising the issue themselves. The most commonly cited barrier to communication was the feeling that there are more important issues to discuss with their oncology providers (46.2%). CONCLUSIONS: While gynecologic cancer patients report changes in sexual function following cancer therapy, many believe there are other issues more paramount to be addressed. Further studies are warranted to develop better strategies for addressing sexual health in women receiving treatment for gynecologic cancers

Can Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predict Pathologic Findings for Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer?

This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of precisely measuring tumor diameter and myometrial invasion in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) using preoperative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of complex hyperplasia with atypia or EEC were included. Three radiologists separately measured tumor diameter and myometrial invasion. Basic descriptive statistics were used to describe patient characteristics and to compare radiology- and pathology-measured tumor diameter and myometrial invasion. Using the pathology results for tumor diameter as the gold standard for comparison, at least 1 radiologist was able to predict largest tumor diameter within 5 mm for 41.7% of patients. Similarly, based on pathology results for myometrial invasion, at least 1 radiologist was able to predict myometrial invasion within 5% for 50% of patients. All radiologists were able to predict superficial (\u3c 50%) or deep (≥ 50%) myometrial invasion for 75% of patients, with greater sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for deep myometrial invasion. Given variation among radiologic measurements, it is difficult to recommend preoperative MRI as a basis for measuring tumor diameter and myometrial invasion. Even so, the ability to predict superficial versus deep myometrial invasion may benefit patients with EEC for whom surgery is not a viable option or for those seeking fertility-sparing treatment options

Olaparib tablets as maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer and a BRCA1/2 mutation (SOLO2/ENGOT-Ov21): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

Background Olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has previously shown efficacy in a phase 2 study when given in capsule formulation to all-comer patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed high-grade serous ovarian cancer. We aimed to confirm these findings in patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) mutation using a tablet formulation of olaparib. Methods This international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial evaluated olaparib tablet maintenance treatment in platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer patients with a BRCA1/2 mutation who had received at least two lines of previous chemotherapy. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at baseline of 0\ue2\u80\u931 and histologically confirmed, relapsed, high-grade serous ovarian cancer or high-grade endometrioid cancer, including primary peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer. Patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to olaparib (300 mg in two 150 mg tablets, twice daily) or matching placebo tablets using an interactive voice and web response system. Randomisation was stratified by response to previous platinum chemotherapy (complete vs partial) and length of platinum-free interval (6\ue2\u80\u9312 months vs \ue2\u89\ua512 months) and treatment assignment was masked for patients, those giving the interventions, data collectors, and data analysers. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival and we report the primary analysis from this ongoing study. The efficacy analyses were done on the intention-to-treat population; safety analyses included patients who received at least one dose of study treatment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01874353, and is ongoing and no longer recruiting patients. Findings Between Sept 3, 2013, and Nov 21, 2014, we enrolled 295 eligible patients who were randomly assigned to receive olaparib (n=196) or placebo (n=99). One patient in the olaparib group was randomised in error and did not receive study treatment. Investigator-assessed median progression-free survival was significantly longer with olaparib (19\uc2\ub71 months [95% CI 16\uc2\ub73\ue2\u80\u9325\uc2\ub77]) than with placebo (5\uc2\ub75 months [5\uc2\ub72\ue2\u80\u935\uc2\ub78]; hazard ratio [HR] 0\uc2\ub730 [95% CI 0\uc2\ub722\ue2\u80\u930\uc2\ub741], p<0\uc2\ub70001). The most common adverse events of grade 3 or worse severity were anaemia (38 [19%] of 195 patients in the olaparib group vs two [2%] of 99 patients in the placebo group), fatigue or asthenia (eight [4%] vs two [2%]), and neutropenia (ten [5%] vs four [4%]). Serious adverse events were experienced by 35 (18%) patients in the olaparib group and eight (8%) patients in the placebo group. The most common in the olaparib group were anaemia (seven [4%] patients), abdominal pain (three [2%] patients), and intestinal obstruction (three [2%] patients). The most common in the placebo group were constipation (two [2%] patients) and intestinal obstruction (two [2%] patients). One (1%) patient in the olaparib group had a treatment-related adverse event (acute myeloid leukaemia) with an outcome of death. Interpretation Olaparib tablet maintenance treatment provided a significant progression-free survival improvement with no detrimental effect on quality of life in patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer and a BRCA1/2 mutation. Apart from anaemia, toxicities with olaparib were low grade and manageable. Funding AstraZeneca