Edwin, Mark

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare, progressive autoimmune neurological disorder characterized by painful spasms, muscle rigidity, and heightened sensitivity to external stimuli. Management often relies on therapies that fall outside standard hospice formularies, creating challenges in end-of-life care for affected individuals. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal cancer and SPS whose primary concern in transitioning to hospice was the risk of symptom destabilization if standard neurological treatments, including intravenous immunoglobulin and intrathecal baclofen, were discontinued. Through close interdisciplinary collaboration among palliative care, neurology, and the hospice team, an individualized plan of care was developed that preserved access to symptom-modifying treatments while aligning with the hospice philosophy. Environmental and pharmacologic strategies—including diazepam, levetiracetam, and anticipatory planning—were employed to address evolving symptoms, resulting in effective symptom control and avoidance of hospital readmission. This case highlights the need for flexible, patient-centered approaches in hospice care for rare neurological conditions like SPS. Continuation of disease-specific therapies for symptom palliation can be ethically and clinically appropriate when integrated with clear goals of care. Adaptable interdisciplinary models are essential to attend to quality of life and support care that is in alignment with patient values at the end of life.

Airway obstruction is a distressing and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with advanced head and neck cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pharynx. This case highlights the clinical, ethical, and interdisciplinary complexities involved in managing airway compromise in the context of progressive disease and limited treatment options. A 75-year-old man with recurrent SCC of the soft palate, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx, recently initiated on pembrolizumab and radiation therapy, presented with dysphagia, stridor, and intermittent tumor bleeding. Imaging revealed a large pharyngeal mass causing critical airway narrowing. Plans for tracheostomy to manage anticipated radiation-induced edema were aborted following the patient’s acute neurological deterioration, with imaging confirming bilateral carotid artery occlusions and a new stroke. With poor prognosis and elevated risk of carotid blowout syndrome (CBS), further disease-directed treatments were deemed inappropriate. A multidisciplinary team, including palliative care, oncology, and ENT, facilitated a transition to comfort-focused care, emphasizing symptom control, airway management, and emotional support. The patient was transferred to inpatient hospice for end-of-life care. This case underscores the multifactorial nature of airway obstruction in advanced pharyngeal SCC, including tumor burden, treatment-related edema, and vascular complications. It highlights the importance of risk stratification for tracheostomy, especially in the setting of stroke, bleeding risk, and impending CBS. Symptom management was pivotal in maintaining comfort. Nonpharmacologic strategies and psychosocial-spiritual support further contributed to comprehensive end-of-life care. Individualized, multidisciplinary, and patient-centered approaches are essential when curative therapies are no longer appropriate in advanced head and neck cancer. Prioritizing comfort, clear communication, and integrative symptom management can optimize quality of life and support dignity at the end of life.

126 Background: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a developing field in individualized medicine concerned with understanding genetic polymorphisms that may explain inter-individual variation in drug efficacy and toxicity. Understanding these polymorphisms is a key tool in guiding clinician’s selection and dosing of specific medications to optimally manage patient symptoms. Common pharmacogenes that impact analgesic prescribing include: CYP2D6, OPRM1, and COMT; for mood disorders: CYP2C19. This cross-sectional study explored the activity of pharmacogenes of clinical significance in palliative medicine with either Level 1 or 2 evidence. Methods: We performed PGx testing on 50 new referrals to the palliative medicine clinic with an active malignancy. Each patient underwent PGx testing with clinical pharmacist review and interpretation prior to their initial office appointment. Results: In our cohort 54% were men and the mean age was 64.7 (24-87). The average number of medications, medication allergies, and creatinine clearance were 10.5 (1-22), 1.3 (0-13), and 78.4 (31-120), respectively. Among the pharmacogenes impacting opiate and antiemetic prescribing, 14% (7/50) of patients were poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 and 8% (4/50) were rapid or ultra-rapid metabolizers. Another 60% (30/50) showed intermediate metabolism which would impact initial dosing. Poor metabolism of COMT or OPRM1 was seen in 8% (4/50) with another 36% (18/50) demonstrating rapid metabolism. Activity for the pharmacogene CYP2C19, which impacts many psychotropics, revealed 32% (16/50) rapid or ultra-rapid metabolizers and no poor metabolizers. Overall, 66% (33/50) of patients had pharmacogene activity suggestive of significant clinical impact necessitating either drug avoidance due to toxicity risks or substantial dose adjustment to be efficacious. Conclusions: Polymorphisms impacting pharmacotherapy were common in our cohort. Patients with difficult-to-control symptoms or multiple medication toxicities can utilize PGx testing as a guide to symptom relief. As PGx technology becomes readily accessible and economical, opportunities for patients to have precision genomic information guide healthcare decisions is expected to increase.

Abstract BACKGROUND Treatment options and prognosis are limited for patients with high grade glioma (pwHGG), underscoring the importance of patient and caregiver understanding to prioritize goals of care and quality of life (QOL). Although addressed by multiple providers, patients and caregivers may experience discordance in understanding the prognosis. This may be related to patient/caregiver perception, cognitive decline as a result of the tumor and/or treatment, or failure by the clinician to clearly articulate this information under emotional circumstances. AIMS: To evaluate the longitudinal perception of prognosis of patients compared to their caregivers and their providers during the adjuvant treatment of newly diagnosed HGG. METHODS After IRB approval, 16 pwHGG, their caregivers and their providers reported an overall survival estimate at each monthly visit during adjuvant treatment, as part of a larger survey. Options included “weeks,” “weeks to several months,” “several months to years,” “indefinite number of years”, or “I do not wish to answer.” RESULTS Seven of the sixteen patient/caregiver clusters have completed the appropriate duration of the study with the remaining completing in November. The perception of the patient differs from the caregiver at almost each visit. Regardless of the counseling provided by provider, the perception of both tends to change at each visit and can vary from dismal to overtly optimistic. There does not appear to be discrepancy between the neuro-oncology and palliative care provider’s perception of prognosis. CONCLUSION Newly diagnosed pwHGG and caregivers vary in their perception of prognosis, deviating not only from each other but also differing at each visit throughout the course of their illness. The providers’ perception appeared to remain consistent but often varied from that of the patient and caregiver. Providers need to be aware that prognostic understanding appears to fluctuate throughout the course of illness and cannot be clarified via a single discussion.

Abstract BACKGROUND Early involvement of palliative care (PC) in patients with metastatic cancer has been associated with improved quality of life (QOL). Patients with high grade glioma (pwHGG) and their caregivers have unique needs such that similar results are anticipated in this population but cannot be extrapolated. Recognizing that pwHGG often require a caregiver early in the course of disease, this patient population also experiences significant personal and caregiver distress that has been given limited attention and resources. AIM: To assess the feasibility of implementation of a novel patient reported outcomes (PRO) quality of life (QOL) tool administered by smart device in routine office visit (OV) and early integration of palliative care (PC) for pwHGG and their caregivers to improve QOL for both. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center cluster-randomized pilot conducted for 6 months during completion of adjuvant therapy for newly diagnosed high grade glioma. After informed consent was obtained, 15 pwHGG and their caregivers were randomized to: routine OV with basic QOL survey; OV with PROQOL; or PC consultation, in addition to OV with PROQOL. RESULTS Two elderly patients with declining performance status transitioned to hospice after initial visit, and one moved out of state prior to adjuvant visits. Thus far 5/15 patients/caregivers have successfully completed the pilot with the 6 remaining participants due to complete in November 2019. DISCUSSION The PROQOL appears to be easily integrated into OV without significant patient, caregiver, or provider burden. Providers confirmed utility in prioritizing symptoms and concerns. Thus far, it appears that patients (and caregivers) appeared to benefit from the PROQOL and PC support as evidenced by longitudinal improvement in QOL scores over the control group. CONCLUSIONS A unique PROQOL tool and early PC can be easily integrated into practice, and may improve the QOL of pwHGG and their caregivers.

Abstract Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a generally fatal disorder with a reported median survival of 3 to 6 yr. This has been based on relatively few studies with diagnoses inconsistently confirmed by adequate lung biopsy. Retrospective analysis of 104 patients with IPF who had open lung biopsy (OLB) at Mayo Medical Center from 1976 to 1985 was performed to establish the overall survival rate, the spectrum of histopathological subgroups and their associated prognostic significance. The study group consisted of 54 men and 50 women with a median age of 63 yr. Median survival was 3.8 yr after diagnosis by OLB with an estimated 10 yr survival of 27%. Current histopathologic review showed a heterogeneous group including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia/fibrosis (NSIP), acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP), bronchiolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and others. Median survival of the UIP group was 2.8 yr which is significantly worse (p < 0.001) than for other subgroups of chronic interstitial pneumonias. IPF includes several histopathologic subgroups with significantly different survival rates. Patients with UIP have worse survival than patients with other types of idiopathic chronic interstitial pneumonias including NSIP. Accurate histopathologic classification is essential for prognostication in patients with IPF.