Abstract 5694
Background
In 2017, The NET Patient Foundation (NPF) set up a unique specialist Psychological Counselling Service, in response to finding that 50% of NEN patients had psychological care needs that were not being met (INCA Stakeholder Survey 2017). Many NEN patients tend to ‘live with’ their condition over several years (rather than conform to a more typical ‘treatment plus recovery/decline model’) and thus require psychological flexibility and endurance over time.
Methods
Clients were asked to complete an anonymous online feedback survey at the end of sessions. Data on presenting and emerging issues were collected by counsellors at commencement, and upon completion. In its first 12 months, 25 clients were seen for an average of 7.4 sessions each.
Results
NEN patients can suffer additional anxiety due to the unpredictability of distressing symptoms and prognosis uncertainty and low confidence in HCP’s. The psychological ‘toll’ of these can corrode pre-existing coping mechanisms over time. Findings supported evidence of suicidality from the Genetic Alliance Report 2018 ‘Living with Rare Condition’, in that 20% of NPF clients disclosed suicidal thoughts. Fears for the future (81%) anxiety (92 %) depression and low mood (88%) grief and loss (84%) anger (75%) and managing symptoms or treatment (82%) were key features of sessions. Dealing with diagnosis (71%), was a significant issue not just for those newly diagnosed, but also following periods of stability, where patients were processing the emotional impact of their condition either again, or for the ‘first’ time. Anger was an important common emotion to be expressed (75%).
Conclusions
The findings indicate a need for greater awareness of, and access to support for, the particular psychological burden upon NEN patients and families who live with this rare condition; the impact of diagnosis not just initially but over time, and greater training and support for all HCP’s working with them. Also requiring further research is the notable 67% of patients who reported either improved emotional tolerance of difficult physical symptoms, or a decline in intensity of them, over the course of the counselling sessions.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The NET Patient Foundation.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
3159 - Anlotinib for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: interim results from the phase II ALTER0802 study
Presenter: AiPing Zhou
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3191 - The efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria of the phase 3 trial (REFLECT trial) and those with BCLC Stage B hepatocellular carcinoma - A nationwide multicenter study in Japan-
Presenter: Azusa Sakamoto
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1529 - Prognostic and predictive value of baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with ramucirumab from two phase 3 studies (REACH, REACH-2)
Presenter: Andrew Zhu
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2767 - Effect of second-line cabozantinib on health states for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC) after sorafenib: QTWiST analysis from the CELESTIAL study
Presenter: Nicholas Freemantle
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2150 - Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the phase 3 RESORCE trial
Presenter: Jordi Bruix
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
3437 - Phase I/II trial of NBTXR3 activated by SBRT in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastasis
Presenter: Marc Pracht
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1758 - Efficacy and safety of ramucirumab (RAM) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) following first-line sorafenib across age subgroups in two global phase 3 trials (REACH and REACH-2)
Presenter: Masatoshi Kudo
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1192 - Ramucirumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and elevated alpha fetoprotein (AFP): An exposure–response analysis
Presenter: Josep Llovet
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
1600 - Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Patients Treated with Nivolumab: The Mount Sinai Hospital Experience.
Presenter: Sirish Dharmapuri
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract
2364 - Pembrolizumab vs Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced/Metastatic Adenocarcinoma (AC) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the Esophagus as Second-Line Therapy: Analysis of the Chinese Subgroup in KEYNOTE-181
Presenter: Jia Chen
Session: Poster Display session 2
Resources:
Abstract