No abstract

5-FU CI is superior to 5-FU bolus in terms of tumor response and achieves a slight increase of overall survival. The hematologic toxicity is much less important in patients who receive 5-FU CI, but hand-foot syndrome is frequent in this group of patients.

The objective of this project was to evaluate patient and physician acceptance of subspecialty oncologic teleconsultation for distant communities. Many newly diagnosed cancer patients have to travel several hours and long distances to attend specialty medical oncology consultations at our regional cancer center in Victoria, BC. Difficulties in recruiting of oncologists in Vancouver Island have prompted the search for other means to deliver subspecialty consultation closer to home. Teleconsultation seemed a possible model. Hence, 30 sequential patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy referred from the Central Island region were seen after an informed consent via videoconferencing and 30 sequential patients were seen face to face in Victoria by one oncologist. Patients and the oncologist filled out a satisfaction questionnaire. The age, sex, proportion of patients who subsequently received chemotherapy, and the number of other co-morbid conditions were similar in both groups. No difference was observed in patient satisfaction whether patients were seen via videoconference or in person. However, the oncologist felt the video did not go as well as face-to-face consultation. Patients were very satisfied with teleconsultation, and it saved them hours of travel.

Based on a large data set, this study confirmed and quantified the toxicity profile of the two schedules of administration of 5-FU and allowed the identification of clinical predictors of toxicity.

No abstract