BJMO - volume 14, issue 2, march 2020
D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, A. Paravati MBA, MD
The annual International Oncology Leadership Conference (IOLC) brings together physicians and administrative professionals from around the world to share best practices and to discuss future trends and challenges affecting the provision of cancer care. Following prior IOLC meetings in London and Milan, the conference in 2019 took place in Antwerp. Chairperson Prof. Didier Verhoeven and the planning committee organised an engaging agenda which was divided into three parts: economy, technology, and patient engagement/leadership. One of the main purposes of this conference is to compare US and European approaches and to learn from each other. Attendees from thirteen countries participated at the IOLC 2019. IOLC is presented by the Association of Cancer Executives and in partnership with Hauck & Associates, Inc. Some interesting points of the meeting are mentioned below.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(2):84–5)
Read moreBJMO - volume 14, issue 1, january 2020
H. Lemhouer MSc, D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, V. Corluy MSc, D. De Graeve MSc, PhD
In this study direct medical costs of breast cancer were calculated in one Belgian hospital for the diagnostic phase and for the treatment phase up to 365 days after diagnosis. The study included 107 breast cancer patients diagnosed between July 2015 and December 2015. The treatment phase is much more costlier than the diagnostic phase, representing respectively 96% and 4% of total expenditures. Important differences in treatment cost are observed according to the stage of diagnosis. The results from this study inform hospital executives and policymakers to determine further decisions for financing breast cancer care.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2020;14(1):22–27)
Read moreBJMO - 12, issue 3, february 2018
D. Verhoeven MD, PhD
Quality management is a key requirement to obtain the best care for patients. In previous years, a lot of effort was made in defining quality indicators for breast cancer in Belgium. Based on EUSOMA guidelines and in collaboration with several partners, a set of quality indicators of systemic breast cancer therapy were defined. These include structure indicators (e.g. education, day clinic facilities, etc.), outcome indicators (e.g. overall survival, disease-free survival, etc.) and process indicators. The first results of some of these process indicators were presented during the 2018 annual BSMO meeting.
Read moreBJMO - volume 12, issue 1, february 2018
D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, F.P. Duhoux MD, PhD, E. de Azambuja MD, PhD, H. Wildiers MD, PhD, P. Vuylsteke MD, A. Barbeaux MD, N. van Damme , E. Van Eycken MD
Limited literature is available about quality management in systemic treatment of breast cancer patients. Professionals are the key players in the identification and interpretation of quality indicators. The Belgian Society of Medical Oncology takes the lead in the field of quality management of systemic treatment for cancer, especially breast cancer. A narrow collaboration with the Belgian Cancer Registry will allow benchmarking. The results will be presented and discussed between peers of the society. This should lead to better outcomes for all Belgian centres. All Belgian Society of Medical Oncology members are called for active participation
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018;12(1):15–21)
Read moreBJMO - 2017, issue 3, february 2017
L. Jongen , P. Neven MD, PhD, A. Lintermans , K. Van Asten MSc, C. Blomme , D. Lambrechts PhD, A. Poppe , H. Wildiers MD, PhD, A.S. Dieudonné , J. Decloedt , P. Berteloot , D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, M. Joerger , P. Vuylsteke MD, W. Wyendaele , M. Casteels , S. Van Huffel , W. Lybaert MD, J. Van Ginderachter , R. Paridaens , I. Vergote , V. Dezentjé , B. Van Calster PhD, H-J. Guchelaar
BJMO - volume 9, issue 5, september 2015
K. R. Meesschaert MD, D. Van Aken MD, P. Goetstouwers MD, D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, C. Langenaeken MD, M. Strijbos MD, PhD, W. Demey MD
5-Fluorouracil is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents. It has been included in the treatment of a number of solid tumours, including upper gastrointestinal, colorectal and breast cancer, for many years. It is the backbone of several chemotherapy regimens, particularly in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. Unfortunately, cardiotoxicities may be expected to occur regularly. As 5-fluorouracil is widely used, cardiotoxicity due to 5-fluorouracil is a relatively common problem. The case of a 64-year old man with invasive intestinal adenocarcinoma, who developed chest pain during his first mFOLFOX cycle, is presented. We see in this case and in the literature that recurrence of cardiac toxicity is high, even with premedication. There is some evidence that replacing the fluoropyrimidine by raltitrexed is safe and efficacious for patients with 5-fluorouracil (cardiac) toxicity in the setting of colorectal cancer.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(5):194–98)
Read moreBJMO - volume 9, issue 3, july 2015
D. Verhoeven MD, PhD, P. Goetstouwers MD, C. Langenaeken MD, W. Demey MD, M. Strijbos MD, PhD
Quality indicators are used to monitor the quality of care of cancer patients. They are divided into structural, process, outcome, and service indicators. Information about quality indicators must be given to all partners involved, leading to optimisation of treatment strategies and reduction of treatment variability. The aim is to achieve quality cancer care within everyone’s reach, with a focus on patient needs. Although disparities are present for various reasons, an in depth analysis is highly informative.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2015;9(3):107–12)
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