First impressions: A prospective evaluation of patient-physician concordance and satisfaction following the initial medical oncology consultation.

Background: An especially significant event in the patient-oncologist relationship is the initial consultation, where many complex topics-diagnosis, treatment intent, and often, prognosis-are discussed in a relatively short period of time. This study aimed to measure patients' understanding of the information discussed during their first medical oncology visit and their satisfaction with the communication from medical oncologists.

Methods: Between January and August 2021, patients without prior systemic treatment of their gastrointestinal malignancy (GI) attending the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) were approached within 24 h of their initial consultation to complete a paper-based questionnaire assessing understanding of their disease (diagnosis, treatment plan/intent, and prognosis) and satisfaction with the consultation.

User-Centered Design of a Web-Based Tool to Support Management of Chemotherapy-Related Toxicities in Cancer Patients.

Background: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy have high symptom needs that can negatively impact quality of life and result in high rates of unplanned acute care visits. Remote monitoring tools may improve symptom management in this patient population.

Objective: This study aimed to design a prototype tool to facilitate remote management of chemotherapy-related toxicities.

Hospitalisations and emergency department visits in cancer patients receiving systemic therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Emergency department visits and hospitalisations (ED+H) during systemic therapy are undesirable for both patients and the health system. We undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the frequency of unplanned all-cause and treatment-related ED+H among adults receiving adjuvant or palliative-intent systemic therapy for all cancers. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies (OS) reporting ED+H were identified from Medline and EMBASE from inception to June 2016.

Multi-agent chemotherapy in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite a lack of improvement in overall survival (OS) with doxorubicin-based combinations over doxorubicin alone in advanced STS, the role of multi-agent chemotherapy remains poorly defined.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate benefits and harms of multi-agent chemotherapy in advanced STS. Eligible studies were randomized trials of chemotherapy in advanced STS comparing single agent to multi-agent therapy.

Bone Modifier Use as Adjuvant Therapy for Early Breast Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Many studies have examined the effects of adjuvant bisphosphonates on long-term breast cancer outcomes. However, results have been inconsistent. Here, we review the evidence for their role in early breast cancer.

Update in treatment of early breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

In the last few years there have been significant advances in knowledge related to the treatment of post-menopausal women with early stage breast cancer. These include new information about the survival benefits with hormonal therapies and bone targeted treatments as well as identification of patient populations who may be able to avoid toxic treatments. In this paper we discuss these advances and provide suggested management algorithms.

Evolution of Randomized Trials in Advanced/Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma: End Point Selection, Surrogacy, and Quality of Reporting.

Purpose: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have used varying end points. The surrogacy of intermediate end points, such as progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and 3-month and 6-month PFS (3moPFS and 6moPFS) with overall survival (OS), remains unknown. The quality of efficacy and toxicity reporting in these studies is also uncertain.

Hospitalizations During Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review of Real World vs Clinical Trial Outcomes.

Importance: Understanding the risk of hospitalization due to treatment-related toxic effects is essential for patients, their clinicians, and health systems. Unplanned hospitalizations represent potential gaps in patient care; definition of these gaps allows characterization and identification of areas for quality improvement.

Objective: To compare the rates of hospitalization in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) receiving chemotherapy in the "real world" vs clinical trial settings and to identify factors associated with hospitalization.