Longitudinal regret after treatment for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer patients diagnosed with low- and intermediate-risk disease have several treatment options. Decisional regret after treatment is a concern, especially when poor oncologic outcomes or declines in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) occur. This study assessed determinants of longitudinal decisional regret in prostate cancer patients attending a multidisciplinary clinic and treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy (BT), or active surveillance (AS).

Are Cure Rates for Breast Cancer Improved by Local and Regional Anesthesia?

Background And Objectives: Recent preclinical basic science studies suggest that patient tumor immunity is altered by general anesthesia (GA), potentially worsening cancer outcomes. A single retrospective review concluded that breast cancer patients receiving paravertebral block and GA had better cancer outcomes compared with patients receiving GA alone. This study has not been validated.

A prospective cohort study of treatment decision-making for prostate cancer following participation in a multidisciplinary clinic.

Background: Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) are presented with several treatment options of similar efficacy but varying side effects. Understanding how and why patients make their treatment decisions, as well as the effect of treatment choice on long-term outcomes, is critical to ensuring effective, patient-centered care. This study examined treatment decision-making in a racially diverse, equal-access, contemporary cohort of patients with PCa counseled on treatment options at a multidisciplinary clinic.

Are Breast Cancer Outcomes Compromised by General Surgical Resident Participation in the Operation?

Objective: The effect of surgery resident participation on breast cancer recurrence has not been previously reported. The objectives of this study were to determine if resident participation was associated with either immediate postoperative or long-term breast cancer outcomes.

Design: We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected breast center database to identify all patients with breast cancer undergoing surgery in a single center during a 9-year period ending 1 January 2010.

Institutional review of compliance with NCCN guidelines for breast cancer: lessons learned from real-time multidimensional synoptic reporting.

Background: Variations exist in compliance with NCCN Guidelines. Prior reports of adherence to NCCN Guidelines contain limitations because of lack of contemporary review and incomplete listing of reasons for noncompliance.

Purpose: To assess institutional compliance and assist national quality improvement strategies through identifying valid reasons for noncompliance.

Core needle biopsy rate for new cancer diagnosis in an interdisciplinary breast center: evaluation of quality of care 2007-2008.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of minimally invasive biopsy for diagnosis of breast cancer at an interdisciplinary breast center.

Background: Percutaneous core needle biopsy (CNB) is optimal for minimizing surgery for the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of the breast while preserving surgery for definitive resection. Core needle biopsy increases patient satisfaction and reduces the cost of diagnosis and treatment.

Comprehensive quality-of-life outcomes in the setting of a multidisciplinary, equal access prostate cancer clinic.

Objectives: To identify racial and demographic factors that influence treatment choice and its resulting impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for prostate cancer patients.

Methods: Patients presenting to an equal access, military, multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic composed the study group. The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), EPIC Demographic, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 were the instruments used.

An assessment of the virtual conversations method for prostate cancer patient education.

Introduction: Virtual dialogue is a specific educational methodology that employs speech recognition, digital video, and computer technologies in a symbiotic relationship to allow users to have the illusion of a face-to-face conversation with a person in cyberspace. A voice-activated, interactive, virtual dialogue with a prostate cancer specialist was developed and tested in a clinical setting at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to create a prototype virtual dialogue program on the subject of prostate cancer and (b) to evaluate the effectiveness of this method to educate men about their disease and treatment.

The design and implementation of a multidisciplinary prostate cancer clinic.

The authors describe how a "traditional" clinical center and research organization was transformed into a multidisciplinary clinic for patients with prostate cancer. How and why the clinic was designed and implemented, as well as benefits to patients, staff, and research initiatives, are detailed.