INTRODUCTION: The difficulty of obtaining accurate and reproducible assessment of HER2 status in the Philippines, despite the predictive value of the test for HER2 positive breast cancer patients, may be sufficiently addressed if an effective multidisciplinary approach to HER2 testing is carried out. This may be accomplished by identifying disparities and similarities in HER2 testing for breast cancer.
METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which included medical oncologists who had used trastuzumab for HER2-positive patients. Surgeons, who belonged to the same tertiary hospital as the medical oncologists were also interviewed. The survey questionnaires were administered via face-to-face, mail, or fax. Responses were kept confidential. Questionnaire responses were analysed using summary statistics.
RESULTS: There were 35 medical oncologists and 37 surgeons - 93% stated that all women diagnosed with breast cancer should be tested for HER2 at the point of diagnosis; 61% stated that the greatest barrier to initiating HER2 testing was inadequate patient funds. 57% medical oncologists and 65% surgeons believed that HER2 testing for all breast cancer patients at the point of clinical diagnosis was being observed at their hospital. 69% stated that medical oncologists or surgeons should request for HER2 test whoever saw the patients first; 59% stated that whoever saw the patient first provide the patient information about HER2 testing whereas 28% stated it is the medical oncologist who should provide information about HER2 testing. 47% medical oncologist and 63% surgeons stated that surgeons should arrange for breast tissue sample collection; 27% medical oncologists and 20% surgeons stated that pathologists should do this.
CONCLUSION: Medical oncologists and surgeons were similar in the opinion that all women diagnosed with breast cancer should be tested for HER2 at the point of diagnosis, financial capability was the greatest barrier for initiating HER2 testing, and whoever saw the patient first should provide patient education. There was disparity on who should request and who should arrange for tissue collection.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Philippines ; Breast Neoplasms ; Oncologists ; Surgeons ; Surveys And Questionnaires

This is a case of a 65-year-old female diagnosed with appendiceal carcinoma, who underwent cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Profuse bleeding through the peritoneal drains, with hemodynamic instability, warranted a re-exploration on the fourth postoperative day. Intraoperatively, there was 500 mL of blood clots mostly on the right upper quadrant, diffuse muscle oozing along the previously-stripped right hemidiaphragm and right paracolic gutter, and a non-expanding hematoma on the right anterior abdominal wall. Bleeding parameters were checked postoperatively, and derangements pointing to a disseminated intravascular coagulation were noted. The patient was managed with multiple blood transfusions of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, and cryoprecipitate. Dexamethasone and tranexamic acid were given intravenously. The patient was discharged well on postoperative day 14 after clinical resolution of the bleeding. Eight days after discharge, however, patient succumbed to myocardial infarction.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation ; Oxaliplatin ; Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy