CYP2D6-guided opioid therapy for adults with cancer pain: A randomized implementation clinical trial.

Introduction: The CYP2D6 enzyme metabolizes opioids commonly prescribed for cancer-related pain, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms may contribute to variability in opioid response. We evaluated the feasibility of implementing CYP2D6-guided opioid prescribing for patients with cancer and reported pilot outcome data.

Methods: Adult patients from two cancer centers were prospectively enrolled into a hybrid implementation-effectiveness clinical trial and randomized to CYP2D6-genotype-guided opioid selection, with clinical recommendations, or usual care.

Cannabis consumption in young adults with cancer: descriptive study.

Objective: In the USA, the increase in state-sanctioned medical and recreational cannabis consumption means more young adults (YA) with cancer are using cannabis. Data and information are needed to characterise this use and frame much needed discussions about the role of cannabis in cancer care. To that end, this study's objective was to describe consumption of cannabis in YA with cancer.

Application of Topical Lidocaine for Pain Relief in the Setting of Targeted Therapy-Induced Onycholysis: A Case Report.

Selective pan fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors have been linked to severe onycholysis, the uncomfortable separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Recommendations to assist with FGFR inhibitor onycholysis vary based on the severity. We hypothesized that the application of topical lidocaine to mimic a digital nerve block would be beneficial in addition to traditional supportive care interventions and subsequently report its immediate and continued efficacy for targeted therapy-induced onycholysis.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Palliative Care, Version 2.2021.

Palliative care has evolved to be an integral part of comprehensive cancer care with the goal of early intervention to improve quality of life and patient outcomes. The NCCN Guidelines for Palliative Care provide recommendations to help the primary oncology team promote the best quality of life possible throughout the illness trajectory for each patient with cancer. The NCCN Palliative Care Panel meets annually to evaluate and update recommendations based on panel members' clinical expertise and emerging scientific data.

Virtual Teaming: Leveraging Team Science Sense-Making During COVID-19.

Individuals with cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome (CACS) experience multifaceted distress. To address CACS patient concerns regarding their experience of care, our cancer center established a specialized CACS clinic in 2016. We applied the team science principle of the team mental model (TMM) to support development of an effective interprofessional collaborative CACS care team.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cannabis Use in Cancer Patients.

Introduction: Medical and other cannabis use by cancer patients continues to increase. Reasons for use include management of psychosocial stressors, physical and psychological symptoms. We explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on on patients' cannabis use, hypothesizing that users would be increasing their use due to heightened stress and increased uncertainty.

Rate of cannabis use in older adults with cancer.

Objectives: Older adults with cancer are increasingly inquiring about and using cannabis. Despite this, few studies have examined cannabis use in patients with cancer aged 65 years and older as a separate group and identified characteristics associated with use. The current study sought to determine the rate of cannabis use in older adult patients with cancer and to identify demographic and clinical correlates of use.

Patient-reported outcomes regarding radiation therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Radiation therapy (RT) has been widely used for palliation in multiple myeloma. However, no data exist on symptom assessment and patient-reported outcomes regarding the efficacy of RT in this disease process. This study aims to demonstrate the impact of palliative RT on patient-reported symptoms in patients with multiple myeloma.

Patient-reported outcomes: using ESAS to screen for anemia.

Purpose: Patient perspectives of their symptom burden provide valuable data to clinicians. We have investigated the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) extensively in our radiation oncology and supportive care clinics. We were interested in examining whether ESAS data could correlate with anemia.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Clinical Characteristics Associated With Cannabinoid Use in Oncology Supportive Care Outpatients.

Background: Information about the frequency of cannabinoid use and the clinical characteristics of its users in oncology supportive care is limited. This study explored associations between cannabinoid use and cancer-related clinical characteristics in a cancer population.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective review included 332 patients who had a urine drug test (UDT) for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) together with completion of an Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and cannabinoid history questionnaire on the same day that urine was obtained during 1 year in the supportive care clinic.

Cannabis Use in Young Adult Cancer Patients.

The use of cannabis by young adult (YA) cancer patients is likely to increase as medical cannabis becomes more available. Clinically relevant data on cannabis use are needed to establish benchmarks for use, to identify patients who are more likely to use cannabis, and to assess outcomes associated with use. The current study sought to determine the rate of cannabis use in YA cancer patients ages 18 to 39, identify demographic and clinical correlates of use, and examine differences in moderate-to-severe symptoms between users and nonusers.

Relationship of Cannabis Use to Patient-Reported Symptoms in Cancer Patients Seeking Supportive/Palliative Care.

The use of cannabis by cancer patients has become increasingly common. With expanding access to medical cannabis, unsanctioned cannabis use is likely to increase. Despite this, the extent to which patients seeking specialized palliative or supportive care for cancer-related symptoms are actively using cannabis has not been well established.

Cancer and Opioids: Patient Experiences With Stigma (COPES)-A Pilot Study.

Context: Cancer-related pain is a common symptom that is often treated with opioids. However, legislation aimed at containing the opioid crisis, coupled with public fears about opioid risks, may contribute to opioid stigma in cancer patients. To our knowledge, no prior research has examined opioid stigma and stigma-related behavior in this population.

Scanxiety.

Scanxiety is a term that has penetrated the vernacular medical vocabulary as a descriptor of the particular distress reported by patients who are scheduled for imaging to assess disease status. Patients fear failure of current treatments, return of disease or progression, the need for new treatments, and the prospect of demise. Stress related to imaging is frequent, may be persistent, and is linked to decreased quality of life.

Congruence of multiple patient-related outcomes within a single day.

Objective: Clinic-based collection of patient-reported outcome (PRO) quantifying symptom burden provide crucial information for effective care. We have pioneered point-of-care electronic assessment using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) with direct linkage to the electronic medical record (EMR) which has been readily adopted by our oncology patients. As some patients may complete more than one ESAS per day in different clinics, the goal of the current analyses was to compare the within-patient congruence of ESAS assessments completed on the same day.