Renal Cell Carcinoma and Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients' Perception of Risk and Fear of Recurrence
Author(s)
Rana R McKay, MD, MS1, Rituparna Bhattacharya, PhD, MS2, Ching-Yu Wang, PhD2, Patrick Squires, PharmD, PhD2, Kelly McQuarrie, BSN2, Zaneta Balantac, BS3, Murali Sundaram, PhD2, Haojie Li, PhD2, Tamara Bavendam, MD, MS4, melissa L. constantine, PhD, MPAff5.
1University of California – San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA, 2Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 3Evidera Inc., Boston, MA, USA, 4Bavendam Consulting, Nashville, TN, USA, 5Evidera Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA.
1University of California – San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA, 2Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, 3Evidera Inc., Boston, MA, USA, 4Bavendam Consulting, Nashville, TN, USA, 5Evidera Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: The study explore fears of cancer recurrence (FCR) and progression and associated quality of life (QOL) impact.
METHODS: One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 clinically confirmed patients recruited through online patient panels, social media, healthcare personnel referrals, and patient advocacy groups (10 RCC patients diagnosed with RCC T2G4 N0 M0, T3 N0 M0, or T4 N0/N1 M0 and 10 MIBC patients stage II/stage IIIA/stage IIIB).
RESULTS: Half of participants in each group were male, with a similar mean age (RCC=51.5±5.5 years; MIBC=54.0±5.7 years) and time since diagnosis (RCC=5.0±2.3 months; MIBC=6.7±3.9 months). Only 40% (n=4/10) of RCC patients received adjuvant therapy post nephrectomy; 20% (n=2/10) of MIBC received neoadjuvant therapy and 20% (n=2/10) of MIBC received adjuvant therapy post radical cystectomy. All patients defined cancer recurrence as the cancer “coming back,” “returning,” or “happening again” although they often confused the meaning of the term “recurrence” with “progression.” Most RCC participants (n=7/8) and all 10 MIBC participants believed their cancer could come back after surgery. All four RCC participants and one with MIBC who received adjuvant therapy believed their cancer could come back despite post-operative treatment. Most participants (RCC n=5/7; MIBC n=6/9) reported fear of their cancer coming back, using terms like “scared,” “worried,” “devastating,” and “stressed out,” with FCR impacting their QOL. RCC participants most mentioned that FCR negatively impacts their emotional status (n=4/6), usual activities (n=3/6), and relationships/social activities (n=2/6); three RCC participants (50%) also reported FCR encouraged them to make positive improvements in their lives. MIBC participants noted that FCR negatively impacts their emotional status (n=10/10), relationships/social activities (n=2/10), and physical status (n=2/10).
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer recurrence and FCR are important concepts to patients. Improved provider tools for counseling patients on treatment options, decision-making and support services could enhance understanding and transparency, benefiting patients.
METHODS: One-hour semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 clinically confirmed patients recruited through online patient panels, social media, healthcare personnel referrals, and patient advocacy groups (10 RCC patients diagnosed with RCC T2G4 N0 M0, T3 N0 M0, or T4 N0/N1 M0 and 10 MIBC patients stage II/stage IIIA/stage IIIB).
RESULTS: Half of participants in each group were male, with a similar mean age (RCC=51.5±5.5 years; MIBC=54.0±5.7 years) and time since diagnosis (RCC=5.0±2.3 months; MIBC=6.7±3.9 months). Only 40% (n=4/10) of RCC patients received adjuvant therapy post nephrectomy; 20% (n=2/10) of MIBC received neoadjuvant therapy and 20% (n=2/10) of MIBC received adjuvant therapy post radical cystectomy. All patients defined cancer recurrence as the cancer “coming back,” “returning,” or “happening again” although they often confused the meaning of the term “recurrence” with “progression.” Most RCC participants (n=7/8) and all 10 MIBC participants believed their cancer could come back after surgery. All four RCC participants and one with MIBC who received adjuvant therapy believed their cancer could come back despite post-operative treatment. Most participants (RCC n=5/7; MIBC n=6/9) reported fear of their cancer coming back, using terms like “scared,” “worried,” “devastating,” and “stressed out,” with FCR impacting their QOL. RCC participants most mentioned that FCR negatively impacts their emotional status (n=4/6), usual activities (n=3/6), and relationships/social activities (n=2/6); three RCC participants (50%) also reported FCR encouraged them to make positive improvements in their lives. MIBC participants noted that FCR negatively impacts their emotional status (n=10/10), relationships/social activities (n=2/10), and physical status (n=2/10).
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer recurrence and FCR are important concepts to patients. Improved provider tools for counseling patients on treatment options, decision-making and support services could enhance understanding and transparency, benefiting patients.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR92
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Oncology, SDC: Urinary/Kidney Disorders