Dealing with prognostic uncertainty: The role of prognostic models and websites for patients with advanced cancer

David Hui, John P. Maxwell, Carlos Eduardo Paiva

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose of reviewTo provide an updated overview of prognostic models in advanced cancer and highlight the role of prognostic calculators.Recent findingsIn the advanced cancer setting, many important healthcare decisions are driven by a patient's prognosis. However, there is much uncertainty in formulating prognosis, particularly in the era of novel cancer therapeutics. Multiple prognostic models have been validated for patients seen by palliative care and have a life expectancy of a few months or less, such as the Palliative Performance Scale, Palliative Prognostic Score, Palliative Prognostic Index, Objective Prognostic Score, and Prognosis in Palliative Care Study Predictor. However, these models are seldom used in clinical practice because of challenges related to limited accuracy when applied individually and difficulties with model selection, computation, and interpretation. Online prognostic calculators emerge as tools to facilitate knowledge translation by overcoming the above challenges. For example, www.predictsurvival.com provides the output for seven prognostic indexes simultaneously based on 11 variables.SummaryPrognostic models and prognostic websites are currently available to augment prognostication in the advanced cancer setting. Further studies are needed to examine their impact on prognostic accuracy, confidence, and clinical outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)360-368
Number of pages9
JournalCurrent opinion in supportive and palliative care
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

Keywords

  • computers
  • palliative care
  • prognosis
  • statistical models
  • survival analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Oncology(nursing)
  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dealing with prognostic uncertainty: The role of prognostic models and websites for patients with advanced cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this