Scoping review of anticancer drug utilization in gastrointestinal cancer
patients at the end-of-life
Abstract
Purpose: This scoping review contributes to
understanding the utilization of end-of-life anticancer drugs in
gastrointestinal cancer patients, a topic posing significant public
health challenges due to its prevalence, impact on morbidity and
mortality, and associated healthcare costs. Insight into unique
treatment patterns at the end of life is vital for enhancing the
appropriateness of cancer care for these patients.
Methods: Extensive searches were conducted in Medline
and Embase to locate articles on the use of anticancer drugs in the
end-of-life phase of gastrointestinal cancer patients.
Results: We identified 30 publications and described
treatment frequencies alongside methodological characteristics. On
average, 7.0% and 13.2% of patients received anticancer drugs in the
last two and four weeks of life, respectively, with 3.3% commencing new
anticancer regimens in the final four weeks. Conclusion:
This review offers a comprehensive overview of primary studies reporting
end-of-life treatments in gastrointestinal cancer patients. However,
methodological inconsistencies present significant challenges,
highlighting a notable proportion of patients potentially experiencing
overtreatment. Therefore, there is a pressing need for more standardized
research methods to ensure robust evaluations and enhance the quality of
care for these patients.