Partnering with Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research

1 May 2023
16 May 2023

Read the latest in cancer care and research

At Wiley, we make oncology research more accessible improving patient care around the world. We help researchers advance the field by making life-changing research available to scientists, policy-makers, patients and those teaching the next generation of clinicians. Discover some of the latest advancements in the field collected into one themed issue inspired by the theme of this year's American Society of Clinical Oncology's Annual Meeting: Partnering with Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research.


Partnering with Patients: The Cornerstone of Cancer Care and Research

Head and Neck Cancer

Open Access

‘Having the mask on didn't worry me until … they clamped my head down so I wouldn't move’: A qualitative study exploring anxiety in patients with head and neck cancer during radiation therapy

‘Having the mask on didn't worry me until … they clamped my head down so I wouldn't move’: A qualitative study exploring anxiety in patients with head and neck cancer during radiation therapy

Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer experience anxiety specifically related to the immobilisation mask, a tight-fighting mask patients are required to wear for the duration of each treatment session. The findings from this research provides valuable insight into how and when healthcare providers may be able assist patients to manage mask anxiety. Recommendations include increased communication from health care providers; delivery of visual information to improve patient preparedness; exposure/opportunities to interact with the masks prior to treatment commencing and increased control of music/soundtrack selection.

Open Access

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid: Adjuvant radiotherapy and treatment outcomes

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma to the parotid: Adjuvant radiotherapy and treatment outcomes

In this study, we have reviewed treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland treated at Townsville Hospital over a 10-year period. We have demonstrated high loco-regional control rates in our cohort that is comparable to other published series. Lymphovascular invasion was identified as a predictor for loco-regional recurrence.

Open Access

Identification of pyroptosis-related clusters for prediction of overall survival and characterization of tumor microenvironment infiltration in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Identification of pyroptosis-related clusters for prediction of overall survival and characterization of tumor microenvironment infiltration in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

We present a systematic overview of the immune microenvironment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) based on genetics and transcriptional profiles of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and construct a prognostic model based on the Risk score. These findings can assist in predicting patient prognosis, guiding optimal treatment choices, and developing new immunotherapies for LSCC.

Open Access

Establishment and verification of a radiomics nomogram to predict distant metastasis in patients with descending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Establishment and verification of a radiomics nomogram to predict distant metastasis in patients with descending type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We established a nomogram based on lymph nodes radiomic risk factors to predict distant metastasis in type D nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. The area under curve values, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the three models of CT, MRI, and multimodal radiomics were compared and analyzed. The multimodal radiomics model was significantly better than the CT or MRI single model in these aspects.

Open Access

Association between mutation profiles and clinicopathological features in Chinese patients with thyroid cancer

Association between mutation profiles and clinicopathological features in Chinese patients with thyroid cancer

Molecular profiles of the four TC subtypes were different. PTC samples were dominated by BRAF mutations and MTC samples were dominated by RET point mutations. Multiple mutations in TC patients were significantly more frequent in cases of patients aged 55 and over (p <.001) and advanced AJCC cancer stage (p <.001).

Open Access

Patterns of care in the radiotherapeutic management of head and neck cancer of unknown primary origin: in search of a standard

Patterns of care in the radiotherapeutic management of head and neck cancer of unknown primary origin: in search of a standard

The radiotherapeutic management of head and neck cervical lymph node metastasis of unknown primary origin is highly variable. Most notably, variability exists in the extent of irradiated volumes and points to a need to the development of standardized, evidence-based guidelines.

Open Access

Comparison of cosmetic outcomes between remote-access and conventional thyroidectomy: A review of the current literature

Comparison of cosmetic outcomes between remote-access and conventional thyroidectomy: A review of the current literature

Increased expectations in terms of cosmetic outcomes have led to the evolution of endoscopic extracervical thyroidectomy. These remote-access techniques led to greater cosmetic satisfaction among patients, providing a scarless appearance of the neck.

Open Access

Emerging roles of circular RNAs in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancer: Possible functions and mechanisms

Emerging roles of circular RNAs in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancer: Possible functions and mechanisms

This review outlines the critical roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the invasion and metastasis of head and neck cancer (HNC). circRNAs mainly act on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells, and autophagy, thereby affecting HNC metastasis. Furthermore, lung and lymph nodes are the most common sites of HNC metastasis.

Open Access

Particle implantation combined with chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck: A 8-year long-term follow-up case report

Particle implantation combined with chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck: A 8-year long-term follow-up case report

In this article, children with orbital rhabdomyosarcomas received chemotherapy combined with 125I seed implantation radiotherapy without undergoing surgical treatment, resulting in long-term remission.

Health Services Research and Quality Improvement

Open Access

Rates of adherence to cancer treatment guidelines in Australia and the factors associated with adherence: A systematic review

Rates of adherence to cancer treatment guidelines in Australia and the factors associated with adherence: A systematic review

In Australia, adherence to cancer guideline recommendations, ranged from 29% to 100%. Receipt of guideline recommended treatments was highest for patients who were younger, never smokers, non-Indigenous Australians, with less advanced stage disease, without comorbidities, with good-excellent ECOG performance status, and who lived in moderately accessible places and were treated in metropolitan facilities.

Open Access

Two Singapore public healthcare AI applications for national screening programs and other examples

Two Singapore public healthcare AI applications for national screening programs and other examples

This article explains how two AI systems have been incorporated into the everyday operations of two Singapore public healthcare nation-wide screening programs. Ways in which healthcare needs and the clinical operations context influenced the approach to designing or deploying the AI systems are highlighted, illustrating the multiplicity of factors that shape the requirements for successful large-scale deployments of AI systems that are deeply embedded within clinical workflows.

Open Access

Implementation science: A critical but undervalued part of the healthcare innovation ecosystem

Implementation science: A critical but undervalued part of the healthcare innovation ecosystem

This review highlights the role of implementation science in the healthcare innovation ecosystem, summarize how settings have leveraged it to promote translation of innovation into practice, and describe our own experience of embedding implementation science into an academic medical center in Singapore. Three key thrusts were common in promoting implementation science: (1) establishing dedicated centers, (2) offering funding and (3) building knowledge and capacity among staff.