Fear of cancer recurrence in lymphoma survivors: A descriptive study

Abstract

Objectives: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common experience among cancer survivors and often persists after the termination of cancer treatments. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate FCR in survivors of Hodgkin’s and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, given a high rate of survivorship in this patient population.

Research Approach: The parent study was a multi-site, cluster-randomized trial to assess a communication skills intervention: survivorship planning consultation (versus a time-attention control - wellness rehabilitation intervention) to promote transition to survivorship.

Participants & Methodological Approach: 199 patients enrolled in the study and completed a survivorship (or control) consultation one-month after receiving the news of their survivorship status; 141 of those patients (n?=?92 experimental arm, n?=?49 control arm) completed an interview at their 6-month follow-up consultation. In the interview, participants described frequency of FCR, causes of FCR, coping mechanisms, and specific things oncologists said to reduce FCR. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized for analyzing participant responses.

Findings: The majority (88%) of participants reported experiencing FCR, with a higher number of participants in the experimental arm significantly more likely to endorse FCR compared to the control group participants. The main causes of FCR were having medical appointments and concerns about potential relapse and secondary cancers. Participants endorsed utilizing self-sufficient coping mechanisms. As well, participants reported that oncologists most frequently cited specific cure rates of lymphoma to reduce patients’ FCR.

Interpretation & Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Communication skills training programs should emphasize FCR in survivorship consultations.     

Health practice in long-term survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma

PURPOSE: To compare the health practice of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors and their siblings, and to assess the impact of socioeconomic status and disease history on health practice of HL survivors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a questionnaire study on long-term HL survivors and their siblings on health care utilization, health habits, and screening behavior. RESULTS: A total of 511 HL survivors (response rate of 50%, including survivors lost to contact) and 224 siblings (response rate, 58%) participated. Median time from HL diagnosis was 15 years. Significantly more survivors than siblings had a physical examination in the past year (63% vs. 49%, p = 0.0001). Male survivors were significantly more likely than siblings to perform monthly self-testicular examinations (19% vs. 9%, p = 0.02). Among survivors, higher household income (p = 0.01) independently predicted for having had a physical examination in the past year. Lower educational level (p = 0.0004) and history of relapsed HL (p = 0.03) were independent predictors for smoking, moderate/heavy alcohol use, and/or physical inactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with siblings, long-term HL survivors have a higher level of health care utilization and better screening practice. Survivors from lower socioeconomic background had lower adherence to routine health care and greater report of unhealthy habits. Survivors with history of relapsed HL were also more likely to engage in unhealthy habits.     

Experiences of partners of prostate cancer survivors: A qualitative study

Prostate cancer, Australia's leading cancer, has treatment side effects that reduce the quality of life for both survivors and partners. Limited partner research exists. This study aimed to address this gap in the literature by gathering data directly from partners to obtain a deeper understanding of their experiences of prostate cancer survivorship that helps inform healthcare service providers. A qualitative approach was taken to explore participant views (N = 16) through three focus groups and two in-depth interviews. Five themes emerged relating to caregiver burden, knowledge deficit, isolation, changes of sexual relations, and unmet needs. Possible implications for practice may include the need for specific partner-related information and interventions to assist couples to cope with the emotional distress caused by treatment side effects.     

Impact of physical appearance changes reported by adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A qualitative analysis

Poor body image may be one driver of distress for adolescent and young adults (AYAs) after cancer. We explored physical appearance changes reported by AYA cancer survivors to understand impacts on body image, distress, lifestyle and health behaviours. We recruited AYAs (15–25 years) who had completed cancer treatment. Using semi‐structured interviews, we asked participants about appearance changes resulting from their cancer. We used iterative thematic analyses to explain experiences. Forty‐three participants (51% male, mean age = 21 years) completed an interview. Two key themes emerged. Participants discussed physical appearance changes and psychosocial impacts including appraisal of their changed appearance. Thirty‐eight participants (n = 38/43) reported that their cancer and/or treatment changed their appearance (most commonly: alopecia [n = 15/43], scarring [n = 14/43] and weight gain [n = 11/43]). Ten participants (n = 10/43) acknowledged body dissatisfaction. Other impacts included feeling a loss of identity, not being recognised by peers and feeling helpless to change. Our results have translational significance for AYA care. Body image concerns should be considered a potential barrier to successful reintegration post‐treatment. AYAs may benefit from familial and peer support, healthy lifestyle interventions and clinical environments catering to appearance‐related sensitivities.     

Beyond cancer: changes, problems and needs expressed by adult lymphoma survivors attending an out-patients clinic

Little is known about the impact of the cancer experience on people following the completion of treatment. Work has begun to outline such experiences primarily in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore the 'survival'experience within a British context of care, outlining the changes, problems and needs expressed by adult cancer survivors.
A convenience sample of 10 adult lymphoma patients from one large teaching hospital was interviewed a minimum of 18 months following the completion of successful treatment. Data were collected by means of tape-recorded semi-structured interviews, using a schedule based on the Cancer Survivorship Questionnaire (Loescher et al. , 1990).
Data were analysed using content analysis and this indicated that, whilst survival itself may be reward enough for some, others seek to improve or adjust their current status, physically, psychologically or socially. It was concluded that the British cancer survivors were affected in many ways, some having to adjust more than others to the consequences of cure. The preliminary findings pointed towards a notion of 'subtle survivorship'in the British survivors. While they reported many changes in their lives after treatment, many were typically accepting of these and successfully adjusted to their new lives.     

Fecal microbiota diversity in survivors of adolescent/young adult Hodgkin lymphoma: a study of twins

Background:

Adolescent/young adult Hodgkin lymphoma (AYAHL) survivors report fewer exposures to infections during childhood compared with controls, and they have functional lymphocyte aberrations. The gut microbiota plays a central role in immunity.

Methods:

We investigated whether fecal microbial diversity differed between 13 AYAHL survivors and their unaffected co-twin controls. Pyrosequencing of fecal bacterial 16S rRNA amplicons yielded 252 943 edited reads that were assigned to species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and standardised for sequencing depth by random sampling. Microbial diversity was compared within vs between twin pairs and by case–control status.

Results:

The number of unique OTUs was more similar within twin pairs compared with randomly paired participants (P=0.0004). The AYAHL cases had fewer unique OTUs compared with their co-twin controls (338 vs 369, P=0.015); this difference was not significant (169 vs 183, P=0.10) when restricted to abundant OTUs.

Conclusion:

In this small study, AYAHL survivors appear to have a deficit of rare gut microbes. Further work is needed to determine if reduced microbial diversity is a consequence of the disease, its treatment, or a particularly hygienic environment.     

介于弥漫大B 细胞淋巴瘤和伯基特淋巴瘤之间的未分类淋巴瘤

目的：分析介于弥漫大B 细胞淋巴瘤和伯基特淋巴瘤之间的未分类的B 细胞淋巴瘤（B-cell lymphoma ,unclassifiable,with features intermediate between DLBCL and Burkitt lymphoma,DLBCL/BL）的临床特点、治疗与预后,增加对该病的认识。方法：收集郑州大学第一附属医院2013年1 月至2014年12月收治的13例DLBCL/BL患者临床病理资料,采用Kaplan-Meier 法进行生存分析,采用Logrank 检验对临床分期、年龄、LDH 水平、IPI 评分、初治化疗方案等进行单因素分析。结果：13例患者中12例存在结外侵犯,13例患者的中位OS为10个月,中位PFS 为6 个月。单因素分析显示IPI 评分、LDH 水平与预后有统计学相关性,行CHOP、CHOP 样与高强度化疗方案患者之间生存差异具有统计学意义（P = 0.054）。 结论：DLBCL/BL恶性程度高,生存期短,结外侵犯多见,对CHOP 及CHOP 样方案治疗反应差,高强度化疗可能改善预后,IPI 评分≥ 3 分及 LDH 升高是其不良预后因素。     

Radioimmunotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a review for radiation oncologists

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review advances in radioimmunotherapy (RIT) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to discuss the role of the radiation oncologist in administering this important new form of biologically targeted radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A review of articles and abstracts on the clinical efficacy, safety, and radiation safety of yttrium Y 90 (90Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) and iodine I 131 tositumomab (Bexxar) was performed. RESULTS: The clinical efficacy of RIT in NHL has been shown in numerous clinical trials of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan and 131I tositumomab. Both agents have produced significant responses in patients with low-grade, follicular, or transformed NHL, including patients with disease that had not responded or had responded poorly to previous chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Reversible toxicities such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia are the most common adverse events with both agents. CONCLUSIONS: Radioimmunotherapy is safe and effective in many patients with B-cell NHL. 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan and 131I tositumomab can produce clinically meaningful and durable responses even in patients in whom chemotherapy has failed. Treatment with RIT requires a multispecialty approach and close communication between the radiation oncologist and other members of the treatment team. The radiation oncologist plays an important role in treating patients with RIT and monitoring them for responses and adverse events after treatment.     

Follicular large cell lymphoma: long-term follow-up of 62 patients treated between 1973-1981.

Purpose:Investigators disagree on whether follicular large celllymphoma (FLCL) behaves like other follicular lymphomas, with no plateau inthe survival curve, or as a more aggressive but potentially curable lymphoma.We reported in 1984 results for 62 FLCL patients treated at our institution;the current report updates those results. Patients and methods:Sixty-two patients referred from1973–1981, including fifteen (24%) patients with Ann Arbor stageI–II and forty-seven (76%) with stage III–IV FLCL. Sevenpatients received radiation (XRT) alone, forty patients XRT and chemotherapy,and fifteen patients received chemotherapy alone. Results:The median follow-up was 14.7 years. The median survivalwas 5.1 years, with 21% alive at 15 years. The failure-free survival(FFS) at 10 years was 31%. Univariate analysis revealed that age, AnnArbor stage, and the International Index correlated with survival. Performancestatus, number of platelets, and LDH correlated with failure-freesurvival. Conclusions:FLCL responds to doxorubicin-based regimens similarlyto diffuse large cell lymphoma. Patients with FLCL have the potential forprolonged failure-free survival. Variables that predict the survival inaggressive lymphomas apply as well in this type of lymphoma.     

Health‐related quality of life among survivors of aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

BACKGROUND:

Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the fifth most common cancer among men and women. Patients with aggressive NHL receive intense medical treatments that can significantly compromise health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). However, knowledge of HRQOL and its correlates among survivors of aggressive NHL is limited.

METHODS:

Self‐reported data on HRQOL (physical and mental function, anxiety, depression, and fatigue) were analyzed for 319 survivors of aggressive NHL. Survivors 2 to 5 years postdiagnosis were selected from the Los Angeles County Cancer Registry. Bivariate and multivariable methods were used to assess the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive health‐appraisal factors on survivors' HRQOL.

RESULTS:

After accounting for other covariates, marital status was associated with all HRQOL outcomes (P < .05). Younger survivors reported worse mental function and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue (P < .01). Survivors who had more comorbid conditions or lacked private health insurance reported worse physical and mental function and higher levels of depression and fatigue (P < .05). Survivors who experienced a recurrence reported worse physical function and higher levels of depression and fatigue (P < .05). With the exception of a nonsignificant association between perceived control and physical function, greater perceptions of personal control and health competence were associated significantly with more positive HRQOL outcomes (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that survivors of aggressive NHL who are younger, are unmarried, lack private insurance, or experience greater illness burden may be at risk for poorer HRQOL. Cognitive health‐appraisal factors were strongly related to HRQOL, suggesting potential benefits of interventions focused on these mutable factors for this population. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.     

医患沟通技巧课程的满意度调查研究

[目的]分析临床医学硕士生对医患沟通培训课程的满意度,探索可提高培训效果的医患沟通课程改进措施.[方法]采取分层抽样的方法,抽取2013级不同专业临床硕士20人在临床训练阶段开展医患沟通技巧培训课程,问卷调查学生对培训课程的满意度.[结果]85％的学生认为讲授内容通俗易懂,提供了及时的信息;一致认为讲座内容切合临床需求.45％的学生认为该课程提供了新方法.[结论]学生对在临床训练阶段开设医患沟通技巧培训比较满意,但认为内容形式不够新颖.提示今后医患沟通培训可通过多阶段承接模式开展:课程设计增加岗前培训、进入临床训练阶段后3～6个月开展专家座谈、录制微课网络公开推送,在实践过程中结合临床实际进行及时沟通教育,最终改革沟通技巧授课模式和内容,进一步提高医学生沟通能力.     

Valvular dysfunction and left ventricular changes in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors. A longitudinal study

Purpose:

Hodgkin''s lymphoma survivors (HLSs) have an elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases that appear several years after radiotherapy. This study examined the time-dependent development and evolution of valvular and myocardial function related to treatment with mediastinal radiotherapy and anthracyclines in HLSs.

Patients and methods:

In 1993, echocardiography was performed in 116 HLSs median 10 years (range 6–13 years) after treatment with mediastinal radiotherapy. None of the 116 patients had valvular stenosis in 1993 whereas 36 (31%) had moderate valvular regurgitation. In 2005–2007, 51 of 57 invited patients were included in a second echocardiographic study – median 22 years (range 11–27 years) after treatment. Of these patients, 28 (55%) had also received anthracyclines. The patients were selected on the basis of the presence or absence of moderate valvular regurgitation in 1993.

Results:

The second echocardiographic study demonstrated that 10 out of 27 (37%) patients with only mild or no aortic or mitral regurgitation in 1993 had developed moderate regurgitation in either or both the aortic or mitral valve. Of the 24 patients with moderate (n=23) or severe (n=1) regurgitation in the aortic or mitral valve in 1993, 8 (33%) had progressed to severe regurgitation, developed moderate regurgitation in a previously normal or mild regurgitant valve or had received valvular replacement. In total, of all patients, 20 (39%) had developed mild to severe aortic stenosis and 3 patients had received valvular replacement. In a multiple linear regression the use of anthracyclines predicted left ventricular remodelling between ECHO 1993 and 2005 as demonstrated by increased left ventricular end systolic diameter (β =0.09 (95% CI 0.01–0.17), P=0.04) and reduced thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (β =−0.18 (95% CI −0.33 to −0.03), P=0.02) and interventricular septum (β =−0.16 (95% CI −0.30 to −0.03), P=0.02).

Conclusion:

Given the progressive nature of valvular dysfunction and left ventricular remodelling 20–30 years after diagnosis, we recommend life-long cardiological follow-up of HLSs treated with mediastinal radiotherapy.