L. Lapeire Archives

Integration of oncology and palliative care: summary of the Lancet Oncology Commission paper

BJMO - volume 14, issue 2, march 2020

N. Dhollander PhD, MSc, L. Deliens MA, PhD, MSc, S. Kaasa MD, PhD, J.H. Loge MD, PhD, T. Lundeby PhD, L. Lapeire MD, PhD, K. Beernaert MSc, PhD

SUMMARY

An international collaboration between 30 experts in oncology, palliative care, public health and psycho-oncology provided opportunities and guidelines on how to achieve full integration based on current findings of palliative care research in a Lancet Oncology Commission paper. This review provides a summary of this commission paper in which an overview is given of the different levels of palliative care and which elements of patient-centred care are crucial in the provision of optimal integrated palliative care. Due to the increase in incidence and prevalence of patients living with advanced cancer and associated care needs, palliative care should be seen as an essential component of comprehensive care throughout the life course and disease trajectory. If cure is not achievable, a combined tumour-directed approach and patient-centred approach is needed. We need to rethink and reorganise the delivery of oncology and palliative care to improve treatment and promote collaboration at the appropriate levels of care. Palliative care needs to be implemented in cancer care plans and in clinical care pathways. To guide patients and their family through the healthcare system and improve their health care outcomes, a multidisciplinary team approach is needed in which primary, secondary and tertiary palliative care providers can collaborate and communicate and in which patients can be referred to tertiary palliative care if needed.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(2):47–55)

Algorithms for molecular testing in solid tumours

BJMO - volume 13, issue 7, november 2019

Ir A. Hébrant PhD, M. Lammens MD, PhD, C. Van den Broecke MD, N. D’Haene MD, PhD, J. Van den Oord MD, PhD, A. Vanderstichele MD, PhD, A. Dendooven MD, PhD, P. Neven MD, PhD, K. Punie MD, G. Floris MD, PhD, J. Van der Meulen MD, HA. Poirel MD, PhD, C. Dooms MD, PhD, S. Rottey MD, PhD, T. Boterberg MD, PhD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, M.C. Burlacu MD, G. Costante MD, D. Creytens MD, PhD, P. De Paepe MD, PhD, R. De Pauwn MD, B. Decallonne MD, PhD, F. Dedeurwaerdere MD, H. Denys MD, PhD, L. Ferdinande MD, PhD, R. Forsyth MD, PhD, M. Garmyn MD, PhD, T. Gevaert MD, PhD, J. De Grève MD, PhD, E. Govaerts MD, E. Hauben MD, PhD, J. Kerger MD, O. Kholmanskikh Van Criekingen MD, PhD, V. Kruse MD, PhD, Y. Lalami MD, L. Lapeire MD, PhD, P. Lefesvre MD, PhD, J.P. Machiels MD, PhD, B. Maes MD, PhD, G. Martens MD, PhD, M. Remmelink MD, PhD, I. Salmon MD, PhD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, S. Tejpar MD, PhD, K. Van de Vijver MD, PhD, L. Van de Voorde MD, I. Van den Berghe MD, A. Van den Bruel MD, K. Vandecasteele MD, PhD, L. Vanwalleghem MD, K. Vermaelen MD, PhD, R. Salgado MD, PhD, E. Wauters MD, PhD, B. Weynand MD, PhD, E. Van Valckenborgh PhD, G. Raicevic PhD, M. Van den Bulcke PhD, P. Pauwels MD, PhD

SUMMARY

In order to advise the Federal Government on the reimbursement of molecular tests related to Personalised Medicine in Oncology, the Commission of Personalised Medicine (ComPerMed), represented by Belgian experts, has developed a methodology to classify molecular testing in oncology. The different molecular tests per cancer type are represented in algorithms and are annotated with a test level reflecting their relevance based on current guidelines, drug approvals and clinical data. The molecular tests are documented with recent literature, guidelines and a brief technical description. This methodology was applied on different solid tumours for which molecular testing is a clear clinical need.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2019;13(7):286–95)