Citations

236 Background: Patients (pts) with aggressive lymphoma are generally treated with curative intent and many become long-term survivors. There is little data on health behaviors after lymphoma diagnosis and their effect on QOL and long-term outcomes. Methods: Lymphoma pts were prospectively enrolled within 9 months of diagnosis in the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic SPORE Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) and systematically followed. We measured QOL (FACT-G) and health behaviors (tobacco/alcohol use; diet/exercise habits) 3 years after diagnosis. For this study, “survivor” was defined as alive at 3 years from diagnosis with no active disease or treatment within the previous year. Results: From 2002-2012, 671 patients with aggressive lymphoma were enrolled, met survivor definition, and completed 3-year QOL and health behavior questionnaires. At 3-years, 31% of female (F) and 48% of male (M) reported a history of tobacco use for 6+ months. Of these, 13% of F and 7% of M were still smoking; 52% reported decreased use from baseline. 66% reported no change in alcohol intake at 3-years while 25% of F and 34% of M reported decreased intake. 60% often chose whole grains and 65% get 2+ servings of vegetables daily. 42% of F and 38% of M “somewhat” believed diet could change the course of their lymphoma. Most pts endorsed no significant change in diet as a result of diagnosis. Those who made changes did so primarily out of concern for “health problems other than cancer”. Overweight/obese responders were 72% pre- and 66% post-treatment. A desire to lose weight was reported by 55% of pts. 14% of F and 23% of M often engaged in regular physical activity (PA). Nearly 50% reported a decrease in PA. Pts with advanced stage (p = 0.006), age > 60 (p = 0.001), ECOG PS > 2 (p = 0.04), and worse prognostic score (p = 0.006) were more likely to report decreased PA since diagnosis. 68% of F and 61% of M intend to become more active in the next months. Regular PA (p = < 0.0001) was associated with higher QOL, while increased alcohol intake was associated with lower QOL (p = 0.009) at 3 years. Conclusions: Many survivors of aggressive NHL strive to adopt healthy behaviors and these behaviors are associated with higher QOL. Interventions aimed at emphasizing these behaviors may have potential to improve long-term outcomes and QOL.

229 Background: Modern clinical practice places time restrictions on the amount of information and processing that can be done in a typical office visit. Meeting patient needs within the healthcare system is often inefficient and ineffective, contributing to patient and clinician dissatisfaction and suboptimal outcomes. We developed a point-of-care case management system for oncology clinical practices adapted from an algorithm initially designed for patients with diabetes. The system’s goal is to obtain patient-reported quality of life (QOL) outcomes and provide clinicians with information regarding QOL issues to address. Methods: Literature review and focus groups of oncology patients were used to identify key patient concerns. The program was adapted for cancer patients to collect the identified patient concern including QOL, fatigue, pain and other cancer-specific issues scored on a scale of 0-10. Suggested actions and available resources were identified for the patient/clinician based on the issue selected. We performed a pilot study involving 20 cancer patients to assess feasibility, and administered a “was it worth it survey” (WIWI). Results: The resultant hematology/oncology electronic system includes a set of eight primary “buttons”: Personal Relationships, Emotional health, Physical healthy, Cancer diagnosis and treatment, Health behaviors, Money, Care planning and Something else. Every “button” was selected, most commonly Cancer diagnosis and treatment 6/20 (30%). The median (range) reported QOL, fatigue and pain were 7 (1-10), 4 (0-8), 2 (0-8), respectively. The average completion of the tool took 4 minutes. One hundred percent of patients who took the survey thought it was worth it, would participate again and recommend it to others. Conclusions: The system was quick and easy to utilize in a small pilot of patients. All of the identified categories were chosen and relevant to our patient population. This tool has the potential to improve patient well-being and clinical outcomes, reduce the burden on clinicians and distribute case management activities to the most appropriate providers. Next steps include initiating a larger prospective protocol to assess if this tool improves QOL over time.

211 Background: Distress is known to be elevated in patients receiving cancer therapy, such as palliative radiotherapy (PRT). Many patients will experience distress during treatment and it is not always addressed in part due to a lack of guidance regarding the significance of distress. Methods: All RT patients in our clinic are asked to complete a patient reported distress (PRD) survey during treatment course. PRD forms consist of 30 categorical questions that assess distress subscales. Patients have the option to rate each question from 1 (low distress) to 5 (high distress). The survey also includes the National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress thermometer, which allows patients to rate overall distress level from 0 (no distress) to 10 (extreme distress). Patients’ records were retrospectively reviewed to abstract the needed information to assess survivorship. Results: 270 patients were included from 01/18/2012-08/07/2015. Overall PRD was analyzed as a continuous and a categorical variable (low: 0-3, moderate: 4-6, high: 7-10). Continuous and categorical variable PRD did not show a correlation of distress to survival (P = 0.26) and (P = 0.10) respectively. A correlation was noted in moderate distress category (RR: 1.51, P = 0.034), however, this was not noted in high distress category (RR: 1.25, P = 0.33). There was no statistical significant correlation with the adjusted variables. Patients with primary site of gastrointestinal cancer had worst prognosis (RR: 1.34, P: 0.14), while hematological origin had best prognosis (RR: 0.35, P: 0.038).Age had the strongest correlation with survival, as older patients receiving RT had poorer survival (RR: 1.13, P: 0.079). Conclusions: This study suggests that PRD is not predictive of survival in PRT. The primary goal of PRT is to improve quality of life (QoL) by assessing, anticipating and alleviating suffering; not necessarily improve survival. It also demonstrated that the most common stressors were related to reversible short-term side effects of RT such as fatigue and pain rather than long-term stressors related to daily activities and social measures which might affect QoL. It is imperative to explore assessment tools to mitigate suffering and improve strategies to enhance QoL in all medical disciplines.

204 Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a medically complicated treatment modality used for various hematologic malignancies. Patterns and predictors of distress in post- transplant setting in a contemporary cohort of patients are not well-understood. Methods: 67 patients transplanted between 12/5/12- 4/21/15 completed National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer as part of their long term follow up clinic evaluation on day+100 after HCT. Demographic, socioeconomic and clinical outcome data were analyzed. A score ≥ 4 was considered distressed. Results: Mean age of patients was 50.8 years (range 20-72). Most patients were married or living with their significant other (83%), half were college graduates (58%), and half were employed full time (50%). 21 patients (31%) reported a distress score ≥ 4. Distressed patients reported increased problems with treatment decisions (15% vs 2%, p<0.05) and ability to have children (16% vs 0%, p<0.05). Physically, distressed patients were more likely to report fatigue (85% vs 44%, p <0.05), pain (60% vs 24%, p<0.05) and difficulty getting around (25% vs 7% p<0.05) Distressed patients were likely to report at least 1 emotional problem (N=16, 76%), and nearly a quarter reported ≥ 4 emotional problems (N=5, 24%). Specifically, sadness (25% vs 7%, p<0.05) and worry (64% vs 26%, p <0.01) were more common in distressed patients. Distressed patients had a longer length of hospitalization for transplant (30.8 days vs 24.9 p<0.001) and more hospitalized days during the first 100 days (34.9 vs 28.7 p<0.01). Conclusions: Approximately 30% of allogeneic HCT patients suffer significant distress at Day100 post-transplant. Distressed patients report problems with a variety of factors, including emotional, physical, family and practical issues that may impact function, compliance and quality of life. Higher number of hospitalized days is associated with increased distress and could be used to identify patients who may benefit from stress monitoring. Periodic screening of distress in HCT patients can help identify interventions to help improve patient reported outcomes.

202 Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with morbidity and mortality in affected populations. Cancer survivors experience PTSD at a rate higher than the general population, with young age and female gender identified as risk factors. While young women with breast cancer experience greater psychosocial distress in general following diagnosis (dx), little is known about PTSD in this population. Methods: Women dx’d with Stage I-III breast cancer at age ≤ 40 were surveyed as a part of a multi-site cohort study. Demographic, treatment, psychosocial characteristics (including self-reported psychiatric conditions and use of psychiatric medications prior to dx), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fear of recurrence (Lasry Scale), and social support (Medical Outcomes Study) were assessed within 1 year after dx. PTSD was measured at 30 months post-dx using the PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version; a score ≥ 50 was considered positive for PTSD. Univariable and stepwise multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate factors associated with PTSD. Results: 572 women were eligible for this analysis; median age at dx was 37 (range: 17-40); 87% had Stage I or II cancer. 37/572 women (6.5%) met criteria for PTSD at 30 months. Lower educational attainment, less financial comfort, less social support, stage 2 (vs. 1) disease, receipt of chemotherapy, fear of recurrence, anxiety and depression, and psychiatric comorbidities were associated (p ≤ 0.05) with PTSD in univariable analyses. Chemotherapy (OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.09-11.06), anxiety by HADS (OR = 20.29, 95% CI = 7.83-52.53), and psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.40-12.74) were associated with increased likelihood of PTSD, whereas college education (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10-0.59) and greater social support (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.17-0.99) appeared to be protective in multivariable analyses. Conclusions: PTSD affects a minority of young breast cancer survivors, with the prevalence in our cohort similar to that seen in other breast cancer populations. Early identification of those at risk for developing PTSD is essential for the adequate treatment of affected women and for the improvement of health outcomes and quality of life in cancer survivors.

175 Background: Inactivity is common in breast cancer survivors and has been linked to poor outcomes. Few trials have tested physical activity (PA) interventions in young women with breast cancer, who may face unique PA barriers due to demands of jobs and young families. Methods: Young and Strong was a cluster-randomized study evaluating the effect of education interventions for young breast cancer survivors.Sites were randomized 1:1 to a young women’s intervention (YWI), focused on fertility and other issues facing young women, or to a physical activity intervention (PAI). At PAI sites, providers were instructed to discuss PA with patients, and participants were given materials to encourage PA. PA was measured with the modified Godin Leisure Score Index at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months. Medical records were reviewed to assess provider attention to PA. Changes in weekly min of PA were compared between the PAI and YWI groups using general estimating equations to evaluate clustered binary and Gaussian data. Results: 467 patients enrolled between 7/12 -12/13 across 54 sites. Median age at dx was 40yrs (range 22-45). At baseline, participants were moderately active. PA increased in both groups over time (Table); there was no significant difference in PA between groups at any time (all p > 0.1). Provider attention to PA was documented in 74% of participants on PAI and 61% on YWI (p = 0.15), and correlated with PA at 12 months (median 100 min/wk of PA in participants with provider attention to PA vs. 60 min/wk in those without, p = 0.016). Participants who reported reading all or most the PAI materials reported higher levels of PA vs. those who read less (78% vs. 64%, p = 0.05) Conclusions: Young breast cancer survivors assigned to a PA intervention did not increase PA more than those assigned to an intervention focused on young women’s issues. However, the higher levels of PA among women who engaged with the PAI materials and those whose oncology providers addressed PA suggests the importance of enhancing patient and provider engagement with healthy lifestyle information and recommendations. Clinical trial information: NCT01647607. [Table: see text]

169 Background: The majority of patients with cancer incorporate integrative medicine strategies into their cancer experience however; patient reported preferences and impact on quality of life is limited. We present cancer patient utilization for specific integrative medicine modalities within the Mayo Clinic Arizona Comprehensive Cancer center and describe the patient perceived impact on quality of life. Methods: Patients and family members attending the 2015 Living with Cancer Symposium at Mayo Clinic Arizona completed a survey indicating whether specific integrative medicine modalities were utilized during cancer treatment and whether utilization had an impact on the patients perceived quality of life. Patient diagnoses and stage were collected. A total of 119 patient surveys were completed and analyzed. Results: The patient diagnoses included hematologic malignancies (27%), breast (25%), prostate (18%), and other (30%). Disease stage was nearly evenly distributed with stage I (21%), stage II (20%), stage III (16%), stage IV (15%), and unknown (28%). The most commonly utilized integrative modalities included nutrition (54%), natural product supplementation (34%), massage (33%), exercise (31%) including yoga (23%) and tai chi (1%), breathing and meditation interventions (26-28%), support groups (23%), and pet therapy (17%). The majority of patients (64%) reported integrative intervention utilization led to an enhanced quality of life during cancer therapy. Conclusions: At a single academic cancer center, in a cancer type and stage diverse population, the majority of patients (64%) reported improved quality of life during cancer therapy with integrative medicine intervention utilization. Nutrition, natural product supplementation, massage, exercise, and meditative modalities were most commonly utilized. Interestingly, a large proportion of patients analyzed in this questionnaire-based study were afflicted with hematologic disease, a population underrepresented in the current integrative medicine intervention research. More studies exploring the feasibility and impact of integrative therapies in the hematologic patient population are needed.

79 Background: A significant percentage of cancer patients experience psychosocial distress with the highest prevalence observed in breast cancer patients. The importance of psychosocial distress screening and assessment in women with breast cancer has clearly been established. Patients in our clinic are screened for distress. The results were reviewed in an attempt to better understand the psychosocial distress of breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Methods: Patients treated curatively for breast cancer prospectively completed the 30 question patient reported distress (PRD) survey that also included a linear analog measure of overall distress. The recorded clinical results of the PRD survey were retrospectively assessed in patients receiving breast radiotherapy from June 1, 2013 to February 2, 2015. Results: Completed PRD questionnaires were available on 179 female patients. 21 (12%) were treated for ductal carcinoma in situ and 91 (51%), 35 (20%), and 32 (18%) were treated for invasive carcinoma Stages I, II, and III. 85 (47%) received chemotherapy. Overall distress ranged from 0 to 10, with a median value of 5. Mean distress scores per category ranged from a low of 1.25 to a high of 2.52. Top concerns in descending order of importance were: “How will I feel during treatment” (2.52), “Fatigue” (2.46), “Sleep difficulties” (2.32), “How will I feel about appearance related to treatment” (2.23), & “Pain that affects daily functioning” (2.19). Least distressing symptoms “Spirituality” (1.25), “Housing during treatment” (1.26), “Control of anger” (1.28), “End of life concerns” (1.32), & “Transportation” (1.34). Conclusions: Distress over tumor related issues ranked low among women’s concerns in comparison to distress related to the side effects of therapy concerning treatment related discomfort, fatigue, and changes in appearance, and anxiety. Pain was a significant concern, although in this group of patients receiving definitive, adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, this was likely related to treatment associated discomfort rather than from disease progression. These findings highlight the importance of careful patient education and communication of the expected symptoms and effects of therapy.

60 Background: Indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with immediate reconstruction have expanded. For cancer patients, NSM is thought best-suited for early stage patients, with nodal involvement initially viewed as a relative contraindication. We undertook this study to evaluate the use and early outcomes of NSM in node-positive (LN+) breast cancer. Methods: We identified 240 cancers in 226 patients (14 bilateral) scheduled for NSM and operated on at our institution 1/2009-6/2014. Data on intraoperative conversion from NSM, recurrence and follow-up was abstracted from the medical record. Chi-square and long-rank tests were used for statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of 240 cancers, 182 were LN- and 58 were LN+. More LN+ patients had T2/T3 tumors (27/58, 47%) than LN- patients (31/182, 17%), p < 0.0001, but ER and HER2 status was similar. Of 58 LN+ cases, 19 (33%) were cN1 confirmed by positive LN cytology and 39 (67%) were cN0 but LN+ at operation. 10 patients LN+ at diagnosis received neoadjuvant therapy (NT) followed by operation (at which 6 were pLN+ and 4 rendered ypN0); 39 cN0 (4 NT, 35 primary surgery) and 9 cN1 primary surgery patients were pLN+ at operation with a median of 1 LN+. NSM was successful in 13/14 LN+ NT patients (93%) and 39/44 LN+ primary surgery patients (89%), p = 0.64. Six LN+ patients (10%) were converted to skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) at initial operation based on frozen section pathology (n = 5) or at a second operation (n = 1) vs 13/182 LN- patients (7%), p = 0.44. Among cancer patients treated with NSM, 7 locoregional recurrences (5 in LN+, 2 in LN- patients) occurred at 25 mos median follow-up. 3-year locoregional disease-free estimates were 87% (95% CI 75-100%) for LN+ vs 99% (95% CI 97-100%) for LN- patients, p = 0.007. One nipple-areolar recurrence occurred, in a LN- patient. 3-year breast cancer-specific survival was 97% (95% CI 92-100%) in LN+ vs 99% (95% CI 98-100%) in LN- patients, p = 0.40. Conclusions: Conversion from planned NSM to SSM did not differ significantly between LN+ and LN- patients. Short-term oncologic outcomes were satisfactory. These data suggest that NSM may be appropriate for carefully selected LN+ breast cancer patients.

6 Background: Traditional screening mammography (MG) enables early detection of breast cancer and therefore results in decreased mortality. Mammography, however, is an imperfect tool and limited by an overall sensitivity of 75-85%. Specificity is limited as well resulting in many false-positive examinations and unnecessary follow-up examinations. The recent development of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) has made the usage of IV contrast enhancement with mammography a possibility. CEDM is an angiographic technique that uses digital subtraction, which removes the normal mammary gland on images in order to detect breast tumors and visualize their vascularity. The literature is promising with regard to CEDM as studies have found that CEDM achieves increased sensitivity without reductions in specificity in comparison to MG, US and/or MRI. Methods: In this multi-reader study we compared the diagnostic accuracy of CEDM as an adjunct to MG/US in patients with suspicious findings (BI-RADS 4). The study population included 31 patients who were imaged with CEDM prior to their scheduled US or stereotactic-guided biopsy. We compared the relative performance of MG/US alone versus MG/US/CEDM in determining the probability of malignancy. Histology served as the gold standard. Results: See table below. Conclusions: The addition of CEDM to the workup of suspected lesions on MG and/or US preliminarily decreases the number of false-positive MG thereby with potential to reduce cost and unnecessary patient harm. [Table: see text]