In:
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Vol. 149, No. 12 ( 2023-09), p. 10531-10542
Kurzfassung:
Follow-up care provides long-term support for cancer survivors. Little is known about follow-up care in hematologic malignancies. Methods Our questionnaire-based study included blood cancer survivors diagnosed at the University Hospital of Essen before 2010, with a ≥ 3-year interval since the last intense treatment. The primary goal of the retrospective study was the identification and characterization of follow-up institutions. Results Of 2386 survivors meeting the inclusion criteria, 1551 (65.0%) consented to participate, with a follow-up duration 〉 10 years in 731. The university hospital provided care for 1045 participants (67.4%), non-university oncologists for 231 (14.9%), and non-oncological internists or general practitioners for 203 (13.1%). Seventy-two participants (4.6%) abstained from follow-up care. The disease spectrum differed among follow-up institutions ( p 〈 0.0001). While allogeneic transplant recipients clustered at the university hospital, survivors with monoclonal gammopathy, multiple myeloma, myeloproliferative disorders, or indolent lymphomas were often seen by non-university oncologists, and survivors with a history of aggressive lymphoma or acute leukemia by non-oncological internists or general practitioners. Follow-up intervals mirrored published recommendations. Follow-up visits were dominated by conversations, physical examination, and blood tests. Imaging was more often performed outside than inside the university hospital. Satisfaction with follow-up care was high, and quality of life was similar in all follow-up institutions. A need for improvement was reported in psychosocial support and information about late effects. Conclusions The naturally evolved patterns identified in the study resemble published care models: Follow-up clinics for complex needs, specialist-led care for unstable disease states, and general practitioner-led care for stable conditions.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0171-5216
,
1432-1335
DOI:
10.1007/s00432-023-04889-7
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publikationsdatum:
2023
ZDB Id:
1459285-X
