Surgeon Perspectives on the Management of Aborted Cancer Surgery: Results of a Society of Surgical Oncology Member Survey

Background While surgery is generally necessary for most solid-organ cancers, curative-intent resection is occasionally aborted due to unanticipated unresectability or occult metastases. Following aborted cancer surgery (ACS), patients have unique and complex care needs and yet little is known about the optimal approach to their management. Objective The aim of this study was to define the practice patterns and perspectives of an international cohort of cancer surgeons on the management of ACS. Methods A validated survey assessing surgeon perspectives on patient care needs and management following ACS was developed. The survey was distributed electronically to members of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO). Results Among 190 participating surgeons, mean age was 49 ± 11 years, 69% were male, 61% worked at an academic institution, and most had a clinical practice focused on liver/pancreas (30%), breast (23%), or melanoma/sarcoma cancers (20%). Participants estimated that ACS occurred in 7 ± 6% of their cancer operations, most often due to occult metastases (67%) or local unresectability (30%). Most surgeons felt (very) comfortable addressing their patients’ surgical needs (92%) and cancer treatment-related questions (90%), but fewer expressed comfort addressing psychosocial needs (83%) or symptom-control needs (69%). While they perceived discussing next available therapies as the patients’ most important priority after ACS, surgeons reported avoiding postoperative complications as their most important priority ( p < 0.001). While 61% and 27% reported utilizing palliative care and psychosocial oncology, respectively, in these situations, 46% noted care coordination as a barrier to addressing patient care needs. Conclusions Results from this SSO member survey suggest that ACS is relatively common and associated with unique patient care needs. Surgeons may feel less comfortable assessing psychosocial and symptom-control needs, highlighting the need for novel patient-centered approaches.