Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Socioeconomic factors have a significant impact on healthcare outcomes. Metrics such as area deprivation index (ADI) are used to quantify the anticipated influence of these factors. Here, we sought to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on clinical outcomes among pediatric patients with solid tumor in our region. ⋯ Social determinants of health are associated with disparate outcomes among pediatric patients with solid tumor. Our results suggest that patients who are part of racial minority groups and those who reside in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods or regions near the Texas-Mexico border are at an increased risk of death. This information may be useful in strategizing outreach and expanding resources to improve outcomes in at-risk communities.
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Molecular profiling of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) can detect actionable molecular alterations and guide targeted therapies. We explore the clinical use of molecular profiling of ICC in our comprehensive multidisciplinary clinic. ⋯ Actionable molecular alterations were frequently observed in patients with ICC. Detection of actionable alterations was associated with improved OS. The role of targeted therapy needs further exploration in prospective multicenter studies.
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Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an FDA-approved oncolytic herpesvirus therapy used for unresectable stage IIIB through IV metastatic melanoma. However, the correlation between clinical complete response (cCR) and pathologic complete response (pCR) in patients treated with T-VEC is understudied. ⋯ Patients achieving cCR with pCR after T-VEC therapy have the most favorable overall survival outcomes, whereas those achieving cCR without pCR have inferior survival and those achieving less than cCR have the poorest overall survival outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of histological confirmation and provide insights for optimizing T-VEC therapy in patients with advanced melanoma.
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The Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) is a measure of recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Public surveys rate some GOSE states as worse than death. Direct family experience caring for patients with TBI may impact views of post-TBI disability. ⋯ In this index study of surrogate perceptions about disability after TBI, poor neurologic outcomes-vegetative, needing all-day or partial daily assistance-were perceived as worse than death by at least 1 in 3 surrogates. Surrogate perceptions differed from the unexposed public. Long-term perceptions about post-TBI disability may inform earlier, tailored shared decision-making after neurotrauma.