Economic burden and treatment patterns of gynecologic cancers in the United States: evidence from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2007-2014.

Objective: This study estimated nationally representative medical expenditures of gynecologic cancers, described treatment patterns and assessed key risk factors associated with the economic burden in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective repeated measures design was used to estimate the effect of gynecologic cancers on medical expenditures and utilization among women. Data were extracted from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (weighted sample of 609,787 US adults) from 2007 to 2014.

Comparing venous thromboembolism prophylactic strategies for ambulatory multiple myeloma patients on immunomodulatory drug therapy.

Purpose: Patients with multiple myeloma have an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism. The risk for venous thromboembolism further increases when these patients are placed on immunomodulatory drug therapy. This study aims to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma receiving immunomodulatory drug therapy in the ambulatory setting at UC Health and to investigate adherence with guidelines developed by The National Comprehensive Cancer Network for venous thromboembolism prevention in this patient population.

Thromboembolic events in patients with colorectal cancer receiving the combination of bevacizumab-based chemotherapy and erythropoietin stimulating agents.

Objective: To investigate whether the incidence of thromboembolic events (venous and arterial) increases when bevacizumab-based chemotherapy and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) are used in combination versus alone.

Methods: A retrospective, pilot study of 79 colorectal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy were divided into 3 groups: bevacizumab (n = 28), ESA (n = 21), and bevacizumab plus ESA (n = 28). The primary end point was the incidence of thromboembolic events.

Symptom management needs of oncology outpatients.

Question: What were the needs of outpatients for symptom management?

Method: A multidisciplinary team assembled to determine the need for a symptom management clinic. Two surveys were developed for potential users: one for the outpatients and the other for the attending oncologists.

Intervention: During a 3-week period, outpatients were approached after registering for the oncology clinic and while waiting for their appointment.