Patient Safety in Surgical Oncology
Despite knowledge that most surgical adverse events occur in the operating room (OR), understanding of the intraoperative phase of care is incomplete; most studies measure surgical safety in terms of…
ONCOLOGY
Randomized Controlled Trials in Surgical Oncology:
This article reviews the history of clinical trials in surgery using breast cancer surgery and rectal cancer surgery as examples. Trials in breast cancer have transformed the surgical management of…
Prediction Tools in Surgical Oncology
Artificial neural networks, prediction tables, and clinical nomograms allow physicians to transmit an immense amount of prognostic information in a format that exhibits comprehensibility and brevity. Current models demonstrate the…
Racial Differences and Disparities in Cancer Care and Outcomes
Despite a profusion of studies over the past several years documenting racial differences in cancer outcomes, there is a paucity of data as to the root causes underlying these observations….
Importance of and Adherence to Lymph Node Staging Standards in Gastrointestinal Cancer
In gastrointestinal oncology, one of the most important factors influencing cancer-specific survival is the presence of positive lymph nodes. Although it remains controversial, adequate lymph node examination is required for…
Unexpected Readmissions After Major Cancer Surgery
Readmissions following major oncologic operation are common—affecting patient treatment, outcome, and hospital resources. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandates reporting of certain disease-specific readmissions and Congress is considering…
Variation in Mortality After High-Risk Cancer Surgery
Surgical mortality with oncologic surgery varies widely in the United States. Patients, providers, and payers are paying closer attention to these variations and a way of reducing them. Although different…
Monitoring the Delivery of Cancer Care
The primary objective of the Commission on Cancer (CoC) is to ensure the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality care that improves survival while maintaining quality of life for patients with cancer….
Currently Available Quality Improvement Initiatives in Surgical Oncology
For most cancers, surgical therapy offers the only hope for cure. Nevertheless, evidence suggests wide variation in cancer care, and therefore it is imperative to ensure that high standards of…
Outcomes Research in Surgical Oncology
Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS, Guest Editor Approximately 1.5 million new cancers are diagnosed every year in the United States. Despite improvements in medical therapy, surgical resection remains the…
