Perioperative Palliative Care Surrounding Cancer Surgery for Patients & Their Family Members (PERIOP-PC)
Gastrointestinal Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Gastrointestinal Cancer focused on measuring Pancreatic Cancer, Hepatocellular Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Cholangio carcinomas
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years of age and must be able to give informed consent.
- Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or hepatocellular cancer or esophageal cancer or gastric cancer and/or cholangio carcinomas
- Non emergent, upper gastrointestinal cancer related surgery with a goal of primary resection of the tumor- optimal surgical goal is cure, not merely disease palliation.
- One companion per patient will be allowed to participate. In addition, to being identified by the patient at being a key caregiver throughout the surgery period, these companions must be able to give informed consent and at least 18 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
- No previous involvement of palliative care providers in their care course
Sites / Locations
- Stanford University
- Johns Hopkins Hostpital
- Dana Farber/ Brigham
- University of New Mexico
- Ohio State University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Other
Surgeon-palliative care team co-management
Surgeon alone management
In the Surgeon-palliative care team co-management arm, all patients receive the surgical care of surgeon alone management, which includes surgeon and the surgical team. In addition to this surgeon alone care, palliative care will also be provided by a specialist team. For patients in this arm, patients and/or family members will be seen by the palliative care team: (1) in an outpatient setting prior to surgery, (2) in the hospital within 72 hours of their initial surgery and as needed afterwards, and (3) via phone on in-clinic (per patient preference) on an at least monthly basis and/or as needed for 12 weeks following surgery.
The surgeon and surgical team will manage symptoms, psychosocial support, and prognostic related communication. The surgeon and surgical team care for the patient and their family both prior to and following surgery. The surgeon team is given guidelines published by the National Cancer Coalition Network as to when palliative care specialist consultation is recommended