United Kingdom Radiation Oncology — Past,Present and Future

The United Kingdom Radiation Oncology (UKRO) conference was formed as a result of discussions held in the early 1990s and the first meeting was held in York in 2001. Cardiff, Wales, was the setting of the fifth UKRO conference during April 2009. These meetings have allowed all the sub-disciplines of radiation oncology to meet over 3 days in order to provide education on most technical aspects of modern radiotherapy, with key invited speakers from abroad. The UK and other countries face considerable dilemmas as to how best to implement new treatment techniques, including particle therapy, in a state-funded health service.     

4th international conference on tumor progression and therapeutic resistance: meeting report

The fourth international conference on tumor progression and therapeutic resistance organized in association with GTCbio was held in Boston, MA from March 9 to 11, 2014. The meeting attracted a diverse group of experts in the field of cancer biology, therapeutics and medical oncology from academia and industry. The meeting addressed the current challenges in the treatment of cancer including tumor heterogeneity, therapy resistance and metastasis along with the need for improved biomarkers of tumor progression and clinical trial design. Keynote speakers included Clifton Leaf, Editor at Fortune Magazine, Dr. Mina Bissell from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Dr. Levi Garraway from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The meeting featured cutting edge tools, preclinical models and the latest basic, translational and clinical research findings in the field.     

The impact of cancer research: how publications influence UK cancer clinical guidelines

There has been a substantially increased interest in biomedical research impact assessment over the past 5 years. This can be studied by a number of methods, but its influence on clinical guidelines must rank as one of the most important. In cancer, there are 43 UK guidelines (and associated Health Technology Assessments) published (up to October 2006) across three series, each of which has an evidence base in the form of references, many of which are papers in peer-reviewed journals. These have all been identified and analysed to determine their geographical provenance and type of research, in comparison with overall oncology research published in the peak years of guideline references (1999-2001). The UK papers were cited nearly three times as frequently as would have been expected from their presence in world oncology research (6.5%). Within the United Kingdom, Edinburgh and Glasgow stood out for their unexpectedly high contributions to the guidelines' scientific base. The cited papers from the United Kingdom acknowledged much more explicit funding from all sectors than did the UK cancer research papers at the same research level.     

Biological, clinical, and psychosocial correlates at the interface of cancer and aging research

In September 2010, the Cancer and Aging Research Group, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging, conducted the first of three planned conferences to discuss research methodology to generate the highest quality research in older adults with cancer and then disseminate these findings among those working in the fields of cancer and aging. Conference speakers discussed the current level of research evidence in geriatric oncology, outlined the current knowledge gaps, and put forth principles for research designs and strategies that would address these gaps within the next 10 years. It was agreed that future oncology research trials that enroll older adults should include: (1) improved standardized geriatric assessment of older oncology patients, (2) substantially enhanced biological assessment of older oncology patients, (3) specific trials for the most vulnerable and/or those older than 75 years, and (4) research infrastructure that specifically targets older adults and substantially strengthened geriatrics and oncology research collaborations. This initial conference laid the foundation for the next two meetings, which will address the research designs and collaborations needed to enhance therapeutic and intervention trials in older adults with cancer.     

Advanced practice nursing: reflections on the past, issues for the future

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To provide a comprehensive historical review of advanced practice nursing, describe the development of the professional role of oncology advanced practice nurses (APNs), and document the current status of major issues. DATA SOURCES: Published articles, research findings, position papers and statements, conference proceedings, books, newsletters, newspaper articles, executive summaries, standards and guidelines, and personal communications. DATA SYNTHESIS: The oncology APN role has evolved over the past 100 years in response to the healthcare needs of society and available educational opportunities. Trends in health care and education continue to influence the expansion of the professional APN role. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology APNs are prepared to practice in a variety of roles, providing expert clinical, educational, emotional, and supportive care to patients with cancer. Several major professional issues have been identified and addressed. Oncology APNs must document the influence of expert nursing care on patient outcomes and organizational efficiency.     

Methodological challenges in the evaluation of prognostic factors in breast cancer

Many studies are carried out in an effort to find factors that help explain the large unexplained variation in prognosis of breast cancer patients. The principles of good study design and analysis are less well appreciated for prognostic factor studies than for therapeutic trials. The oncology literature is full of results from studies of varying quality, often with conflicting findings. As a consequence, despite the large number of studies, there is still uncertainty about the importance of most prognostic factors. Few recently proposed prognostic factors for breast cancer have become widely accepted. This paper reviews the important methodological issues underlying such research. These issues are illustrated with examples from published studies and recent reviews of papers published in cancer journals. Guidelines are proposed for conducting and evaluating prognostic factor studies which should improve the quality of research in this important area.     

Cancer and Employment Issues: Perspectives from Cancer Patient Navigators

Among individuals diagnosed with cancer, 40 % are working-age adults who will face numerous challenges in returning to work, yet oncology providers report limited guidance and uncoordinated communication processes in addressing patients’ work-related issues. Cancer patient navigators are uniquely positioned to fill this care and communication gap due to their focus on both practical matters and clinical care. This cross-sectional study utilized survey methodology to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 58 cancer patient navigators to (1) identify patients’ cancer and employment issues that commonly challenge navigators and (2) identify the necessary training navigators felt would allow them to more effectively help patients deal with cancer and employment issues. Participants from the southeast USA were invited to complete a paper survey while in attendance at a statewide cancer patient navigator conference or online via the state comprehensive cancer coalition’s cancer patient navigator listserv. Results suggest financial burdens, work and treatment conflicts, taking unpaid leave for cancer care, and working through treatment were common concerns among their patients. Navigators also identified employment, legal, government programs, and financial resources as important training and education topics that would help them address their clients’ employment and cancer conflicts. Given the fact that employment issues remain one of the most common unmet need of survivors and the increasing presence of navigators across the USA, it is important to address the role of navigators in meeting patients’ needs regarding cancer and employment and ensure they are provide with adequate training and resources.     

Identifying research priorities and research needs among health and research professionals in psycho-oncology

Aim: To identify and prioritize the key research questions in psycho‐oncology in order to guide the development of large multicenter clinically relevant studies. Methods: All members of the Psycho‐Oncology Co‐operative Research Group (n = 295) were invited to participate in an online survey and 180 responded (response rate = 61%). Participants rated eight priority research areas identified from a previous focus group study on a five‐point scale, and ranked their top four priority areas. Within the four ranked research areas, participants selected the three most important specific research questions. Results: The highest rated research priority areas were distress identification (23.3%), survivorship (22.7%), and distress management (15.3%), followed by issues relating to health services (9.7%) and carers (8.0%). Interventions were commonly nominated among the most important research questions within each priority area. The single most important research question identified by 44% of the sample was to “Determine the most acceptable, reliable and valid screening tool to be administered routinely at diagnosis and at other key transition points to identify distress and psychosocial needs”. Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to explore research priorities in psycho‐oncology, and the first international study to explore these issues in depth. To ensure that the research effort is strategic, clinically relevant and cost‐effective, clear priorities need to be established. The results of this survey will enable limited resources to focus on key research questions of direct clinical benefit.     

45th annual meeting of the Italian Cancer Society. Bergamo, 9-12 November 2003

The 45th Annual Meeting of the Italian Cancer Society (SIC), held at the Centro Congressi Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo, Italy on 9-12 November, 2003, attracted almost 400 participants. The Scientific Committee chaired by R Giavazzi (Mario Negri Institute, Bergamo) and the board of the Italian Cancer Society produced a packed and varied program. Plenary sessions with keynote speakers (24 lectures) were combined with oral proffered papers (20 selected presentations), providing a platform from laboratory science to clinical interventions. Two hundred and sixty-one abstracts were submitted to the conference and presented in poster and poster discussion sessions, providing a stimulating ground for discussion and a network of interactive collaboration among young investigators. The venue of Bergamo offered exceptional hospitality with social events in the beautiful old town and at the Modern Art Museum. We hope that the following report gives an idea of the event and will encourage the reader to attend the 46th meeting of the SIC, 24-26 October, 2004 in Pisa.     

医学伦理审查对肿瘤学期刊质量的影响与对策

全文分析肿瘤医学研究类论文中常见伦理学问题及其对期刊质量的影响,学习国外肿瘤学优秀期刊在医学伦理方面的处理方法,以缩小我国肿瘤医学期刊与国外著名期刊在这方面的差距。     

Teaching the emotional aspects of cancer care

In response to an awareness of the emotional needs of cancer patients and their families, a psychosocial oncology conference was begun at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston, TX approximately 10 years ago. Its goal has been to educate medical staff about the mental health issues of cancer patients and to educate mental health professionals regarding the medical problems facing cancer patients. This article discusses the development of the conference, its objectives, its format, and its accomplishments. Patients are selected for the conference on the basis of the presenting problem and the potential for optimal education of staff members. The patient's case is presented, a live interview with the patient is conducted, and a discussion of the pertinent issues follows. Illustrative case examples are presented in order to demonstrate the value of this meeting for the participants. Throughout its history, the conference has undergone a number of changes, primarily in response to the reactions and needs of those involved. These modifications are described, along with the results which have been achieved and the implications for the expansion of this concept.     

World Gynecologic Oncology Publications and the Turkish Contribution to the Literature between 2000 and 2007

Aim: To investigate the number of publications and the contribution from top-ranking countries, institutions,and authors in 3 gynecologic oncology journals (Gynecologic Oncology [GO], International Journal ofGynecological Cancer [IJGC], and European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology [EJGO]),as well as the degree ofTurkish contribution between 2000 and 2007. Method: Articles published between 2000 and 2007 in 3 gynecologiconcology journals indexed by the Science Citation Index were accessed via the ISI-Thomson website. Additionally,PubMed, Sciencedirect, and Blackwell-Synergy databases were used to identify the originating countries andinstitutions of the published articles. The types of articles, originating countries, and names of the institutionsand authors were determined. Furthermore, the number of articles affiliated with Turkish institutions and thepublication year were also determined. Results: We located 6,851 articles published in the 3 journals. Duringthis period 36.1%, 7.7%, 7.2%, 5.8% and 4.8% of the papers originated from the USA, Japan, Italy, Turkey, andEngland, respectively. The 5 most productive institutions were the University of Texas, Memorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Alabama, and University of Athens. The 5 mostproductive authors were Markman (USA), Chi (USA), Ayhan (Turkey), Barakat (USA), and Vergote (Belgium),respectively. In all, 36.1% of the papers originated from the USA, while 44% originated from 17 Europeancountries. The USA was the first-ranked country of origin in GO and IJGC, while Turkey was the first-rankedcountry of origin in EJGO. Overall, 399 (5.8%) papers originated from Turkish institutions. Conclusion: Mostof the gynecologic oncology publications originated from the USA and Western European countries, wheregynecologic oncology training is available and surgical and research traditions are well established. On the otherhand, Turkish researchers made an important contribution to gynecologic oncology research during the selectedperiod of time; publications originating from Turkey exceeded in number all European countries, except thoseoriginating from Italy.     

《世界肿瘤杂志》研究热点分析——基于关键词的探索

目的通过统计分析《世界肿瘤杂志》刊载论文的关键词,揭示（《世界肿瘤杂志》研究热点及其发展变化,为（《世界肿瘤杂志》及肿瘤学的研究提供参考。方法从维普数据库中获取关键词,运用词频分析方法,分别经过建表、统计、汇总、整理后,归纳出了近7年来肿瘤学的研究热点及其变化轨迹。结果结论肿瘤作为肿瘤学领域的基础内容,是《世界肿瘤杂志》刊载论文经久的研究热点。化疗、手术治疗、胃肿瘤和肺肿瘤是《世界肿瘤杂志》刊载论文重要的研究热点。免疫组化和基因表达是《世界肿瘤杂志》刊载论文新的研究点,将会成为《世界肿瘤杂志》刊载论文的发展方向。     

A structured review and theme analysis of papers published on 'quality of life' in head and neck cancer: 2000-2005

Over the past 10 years, quality of life (QOL) has been increasingly recognised as an important outcome parameter in head and neck cancer. Validated questionnaires have emerged and there has been an increase in the number of papers published each year. The aim of this article is to review the literature over the past five years (2000-2005 inclusive), to identify papers reporting outcomes using patient self-competed questionnaires and group these into themes. The tabulated summary allows for the areas of health related quality of life research to be identified and to explore issues that are perhaps deficit in the literature. The three authors independently searched the literature published in the English language using the ISI search engine with cross-reference using Pub Med and Ovid. The search terms were; quality of life, questionnaire, and head and neck cancer. Studies were placed in to one of five themes. There were 165 studies identified. The numbers in each theme were predictors of QOL [Hassanein KA, Musgrove BT, Bradbury E. Functional status of patients with oral cancer and its relation to style of coping, social support and psychological status. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2001;39:340-5.], functional outcome [Klug C, Neuburg J, Glaser C, Schwarz B, Kermer C, Millesi W. Quality of life 2-10 years after combined treatment for advanced oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2002;31:664-9.], questionnaire development [Hanna E, Sherman A, Cash D, Adams D, Vural E, Fan CY, et al. Quality of life for patients following total laryngectomy vs chemoradiation for laryngeal preservation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130:875-9.], randomised clinical trials [Kanatas AN, Rogers SN. A national survey of health-related quality of life questionnaires in head and neck oncology. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2004;86:6-10.], and reviews [Kanatas AN, Rogers SN. A national survey of health-related quality of life questionnaires in head and neck oncology. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2004;86:6-10.]. Although many facets of HRQOL following head and neck cancer have been explored over the last five years the paper identifies issues where research is still lacking.     

A review of long-term follow-up for survivors of childhood cancer

Though cure from cancer is not guaranteed, children's chances of survival have increased significantly. As a result the paediatric oncology community is focused on providing appropriate follow-up care to an increasing number of young cancer survivors. How this care should be designed and delivered however remains the centre of ongoing discussion and was the focus of this review. The aims of the review were to (1) gain an understanding of current follow-up practices from studies involving health care professionals, (2) identify and evaluate studies presenting views of survivors, (3) examine commentaries on both the current and future design of long-term follow-up services and (4) evaluate existing follow-up guidelines. Empirical research, commentary papers and published guidelines were reviewed. Twenty-eight papers and five guidelines were analysed. Empirical papers were examined in relation to sample, design, findings and limitations. Commentary papers were assessed in relation to key issues about follow-up care. Guidelines were assessed on how far they were evidence-based, peer-reviewed and involved users in their development. Varying models of care were illustrated, and were dependent upon personnel and centre orientation. Variability in the level and degree to which long-term survivors were followed up was also reported. Inconsistencies in practice were noted. Nonetheless requirements for an effective service were highlighted in the majority of publications, these included communication and information. Although young people and professionals had a shared view on many aspects of follow-up care, these preferences were not consistently mirrored in service provision.     

Australian and New Zealand three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy consensus guidelines for prostate cancer

Three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) has been shown to reduce normal tissue toxicity and allow dose escalation in the curative treatment of prostate cancer. The Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito‐Urinary Group initiated a consensus process to generate evidence‐based guidelines for the safe and effective implementation of 3DCRT. All radiation oncology departments in Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete a survey of their prostate practice and to send representatives to a consensus workshop. After a review of the evidence, key issues were identified and debated. If agreement was not reached, working parties were formed to make recommendations. Draft guidelines were circulated to workshop participants for approval prior to publication. Where possible, evidence‐based recommendations have been made with regard to patient selection, risk stratification, simulation, planning, treatment delivery and toxicity reporting. This is the first time a group of radiation therapists, physicists and oncologists representing professional radiotherapy practice across Australia and New Zealand have worked together to develop best‐practice guidelines. These guidelines should serve as a baseline for prospective clinical trials, outcome research and quality assurance.     

Quantity, design, and scope of the palliative oncology literature

The current state of the palliative oncology literature is unclear. We examined and compared the quantity, research design, and research topics of palliative oncology publications in the first 6 months of 2004 with the first 6 months of 2009. We systematically searched MEDLINE, PsychInfo, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and CINAHL for original studies, review articles, and systematic reviews related to "palliative care" and "cancer" during the first 6 months of 2004 and 2009. Two physicians reviewed the literature independently and coded the study characteristics with high inter-rater reliability. We found a consistent decrease in the proportion of oncology studies related to palliative care between 2004 and 2009, despite an absolute increase in the total number of palliative oncology studies. Combining the two time periods, the most common original study designs were case report/series, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative studies. Randomized controlled trials comprised 6% of all original studies. The most common topics were physical symptoms, health services research, and psychosocial issues. Communication, decision making, spirituality, education, and research methodologies all represented <5% of the literature. Comparing 2004 with 2009, we found an increase in the proportion of original studies among all palliative oncology publications but no significant difference in study design or research topic. We identified significant deficiencies in the quantity, design, and scope of the palliative oncology literature. Further effort and resources are necessary to improve the evidence base for this important field.     

A national study of the provision of oncology sperm banking services among Canadian fertility clinics

The purpose of this study was to survey the current state of oncology sperm banking services provided by fertility clinics across Canada. A total of 78 Canadian fertility facilities were invited to complete a questionnaire related to the availability, accessibility, affordability and utilisation of sperm banking services for cancer patients. The total response rate was 59%, with 20 (69%) in vitro fertilisation clinics and 26 (53%) other fertility centres returning the survey. A total of 24 responding facilities accepted oncology sperm banking referrals. The time frame to book the first banking appointment for 19 (79%) facilities was within 2 days. Inconsistent practice was found regarding the consent process for cancer patients who are of minority age. Eight (33%) facilities did not provide any subsidy and charged a standard banking fee regardless of patients' financial situations. Overall, the utilisation of oncology sperm banking services was low despite its availability and established efficacy, suggesting that Canadian cancer patients are notably underserved. The study has highlighted some important issues for further consideration in improving access to sperm banking services for cancer patients, especially for adolescents. Better collaboration between oncology and reproductive medicine to target healthcare providers would help to improve sperm banking rates.     

1991 Oncology Nursing Society Research Priorities Survey.

Documenting current research priorities is an ongoing process that is important to furthering the research agenda of oncology nursing. The purpose of this study was to update and partially replicate previous Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) research priorities surveys. Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of 429 ONS members involved in research or in ONS leadership. The response rate was 70% (N = 310). Respondents identified a combination of clinical problems, research issues, and cancer care economic factors among their top 10 research priorities. Quality of life and symptom management consistently were ranked as the highest priority items across all three methods used to rank-order the items. Respondents also provided suggestions for future ONS/Oncology Nursing Foundation small grants and for expansion of current ONS research activities. These findings provide direction for the focus of oncology nursing research by suggesting topics for research, by identifying areas that require additional research funding, by recommending new research activities for ONS, and by promoting research as the basis for oncology nursing practice.