Dutch Oncology COVID-19 consortium:Outcome of COVID-19 in patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort study

Aim of the study: Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods: This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients' characteristics, cancer diagnosis and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. Results: Between March 27th and May 4th, 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years (p < 0.001), male gender (p = 0.035), prior or other malignancy (p = 0.045) and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy (p = 0.046) or lung cancer (p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). Conclusion: The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritising vaccination, when available, should also be considered

Tumour microenvironment and clinical diagnostic approach in lung cancer patients

Contains fulltext : 120586.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)Radboud Universiteit NijmegenPromotores : Kaanders, J.H.A.M., Oyen, W.J.G., Dekhuijzen, P.N.R. Co-promotores : Bussink, J., Heijden, H.F.M. van de

High definition bronchoscopy: a randomized exploratory study of diagnostic value compared to standard white light bronchoscopy and autofluorescence bronchoscopy

Contains fulltext : 152979.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Videobronchoscopy is an essential diagnostic procedure for evaluation of the central airways and pivotal for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Technological improvements have resulted in high definition (HD) images with advanced real time image enhancement techniques (i-scan). OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to explore the sensitivity of HD+ i-scan bronchoscopy for detection of epithelial changes like vascular abnormalities and suspicious preinvasive lesions, and tumors. METHODS: In patients scheduled for a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure under general anesthesia videos of the bronchial tree were made using 5 videobronchoscopy modes in random order: normal white light videobronchoscopy (WLB), HD-bronchoscopy (HD), HD bronchoscopy with surface enhancement technique (i-scan1), HD with surface- and tone enhancement technique (i-scan2) and dual mode autofluorescence videobronchoscopy (AFB). The videos were scored in random order by two independent and blinded expert bronchoscopists. RESULTS: In 29 patients all videos were available for analysis. Vascular abnormalities were scored most frequently in HD + i-scan2 bronchoscopy (1.33 +/- 0.29 abnormal or suspicious sites per patient) as compared to 0.12 +/- 0.05 site for AFB (P = 0.003). Sites suspicious for preinvasive lesions were most frequently reported using AFB (0.74 +/- 0.12 sites per patient) as compared to 0.17 +/- 0.06 for both WLB and HD bronchoscopy (P = 0.003). Tumors were detected equally by all modalities. The preferred modality was HD bronchoscopy with i-scan (tone- plus surface and surface enhancement in respectively 38% and 35% of cases P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that high definition bronchoscopy with image enhancement technique may result in better detection of subtle vascular abnormalities in the airways. Since these abnormalities may be related to preneoplastic lesions and tumors this is of clinical relevance. Further investigations using this technique relating imaging to histology are warranted

EBUS ans EUS guided fine needle aspirations for molecular diagnostic analysis in lung cancer

Contains fulltext : 110995.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

[Tiotropium, a long-acting bronchodilating agent for the treatment of COPD],[Tiotropium, a long-acting bronchodilating agent for the treatment of COPD]

Contains fulltext : 49270.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access

Barriers and Facilitators for Implementation of a Computerized Clinical Decision Support System in Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meetings-A Qualitative Assessment

Contains fulltext : 229367.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Oncological computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) to facilitate workflows of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) are currently being developed. To successfully implement these CCDSSs in MDTMs, this study aims to: (a) identify barriers and facilitators for implementation for the use case of lung cancer; and (b) provide actionable findings for an implementation strategy. METHODS: The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science was used to create an interview protocol and to analyze the results. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among various health care professionals involved in MDTMs. The transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis following a deductive approach. RESULTS: Twenty-six professionals participated in the interviews. The main facilitators for implementation of the CCDSS were considered to be easy access to well-structured patient data, and the resulting reduction of MDTM preparation time and of duration of MDTMs. Main barriers for adoption were seen in incomplete or non-trustworthy output generated by the system and insufficient adaptability of the system to local and contextual needs. CONCLUSION: Using a CCDSS in lung cancer MDTMs was expected to increase efficiency of workflows. Successful implementation was seen as dependent on the reliability and adaptability of the CCDSS and involvement of key users in the implementation process

Treatment outcome and toxicity of intensity-modulated (chemo) radiotherapy in stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients

Contains fulltext : 110052.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess treatment outcome, and acute pulmonary and esophageal toxicity using intensity modulated (sequential/concurrent chemo)radiotherapy (IMRT) in locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighty-six patients with advanced stage NSCLC, treated with either IMRT only (66 Gy) or combined with (sequential or concurrent) chemotherapy were retrospectively included in this study. Overall survival and metastasis-free survival were assessed as well as acute pulmonary and esophageal toxicity using the RTOG Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria. RESULTS: Irrespective of the treatment modality, the overall survival rate for patients receiving 66 Gy was 71% (+/-11%; 95% CI) after one year and 56% (+/-14%) after two years resulting in a median overall survival of 29.7 months. Metastasis-free survival was 73% (+/-11%) after both one and two years. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. Treatment related esophageal toxicity was significantly more pronounced in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (p = 0.013) with no differences in pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective cohort study in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients shows that IMRT is an effective technique with acceptable acute toxicity, also when (sequentially or concomitantly) combined with chemotherapy

An invisible group of COVID-19 victims; impact on Dutch lung cancer care

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Mediastinal staging in daily practice: endosonography, followed by cervical mediastinoscopy. Do we really need both?

Contains fulltext : 125646.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)OBJECTIVES: In patients with lung cancer, endosonography has emerged as a minimally invasive method to obtain cytological proof of mediastinal lymph nodes, suspicious for metastases on imaging. In case of a negative result, it is currently recommended that a cervical mediastinoscopy be performed additionally. However, in daily practice, a second procedure is often regarded superfluous. The goal of our study was to assess the additional value of a cervical mediastinoscopy, after a negative result of endosonography, in routine clinical practice. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, the records of 147 consecutive patients with an indication for mediastinal lymph node staging and a negative result of endosonography were analysed. As a subsequent procedure, 124 patients underwent a cervical mediastinoscopy and 23 patients were scheduled for an intended curative resection directly. The negative predictive value (NPV) for both diagnostic procedures was determined, as well as the number of patients who needed to undergo a mediastinoscopy to find one false-negative result of endosonography (number needed to treat (NNT)). Clinical data of patients with a false-negative endosonography were analysed. RESULTS: When using cervical mediastinoscopy as the gold standard, the NPV for endosonography was 88.7%, resulting in a NNT of 8.8 patients. For patients with fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography positive mediastinal lymph nodes, the NNT was 6.1. Overall, a futile thoracotomy could be prevented in 50% of patients by an additional mediastinoscopy. A representative lymph node aspirate, containing adequate numbers of lymphocytes, did not exclude metastases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a high probability of mediastinal metastases, based on imaging, and negative endosonography, cervical mediastinoscopy should not be omitted, not even when the aspirate seems representative.1 november 201