Effective Communication Between Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients and Care Teams

Introduction

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a type of blood cancer that requires frequent monitoring and treatment for the best outcomes. In this article, we will discuss the importance of maintaining effective communication between CML patients and their care teams, even between appointments.

The Expert’s Opinion

Jorge E. Cortes, MD, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, emphasizes the importance of patients being active participants in their CML care. According to Dr. Cortes, patients should express everything they’re feeling even if it’s not directly related to their treatment or the disease itself. This shared information helps the medical team to get a better picture of the patient’s overall health and make informed decisions about the best care approach.

Setting Realistic Goals of Therapy

Dr. Cortes emphasizes that the goals of therapy and the assessment of the quality of life are the patient’s goals, not the physicians. The physician’s role is to guide them. It’s crucial for the patient to communicate their goals to the medical team so that the team can work on aligning their approach with the goals of the patient.

Importance of Frequent Communication

Dr. Cortes states that effective communication between patients and care teams is key to optimal care outcomes. Patients should maintain a constant flow of communication even between visits to ensure that their doctors know about any side effects or complications that may arise between appointments.

Latest Treatment Advancements for CML Patients

Here is a summary of the latest treatment advancements that were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting:

Treatment with Acalabrutinib and Bendamustine/Rituximab

A study presented at the meeting showed that treatment with acalabrutinib and bendamustine/rituximab in the frontline setting improved progression-free survival in older patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

Glofitamab-Gxbm plus Gemcitabine and Oxaliplatin

Another study found that the combination of Glofitamab-Gxbm plus gemcitabine and oxaliplatin significantly improved survival in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients who were not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant.

Myelofibrosis Treatments

The prospective MOST study revealed that most patients with lower-risk myelofibrosis experienced disease progression over a four-year period. However, new or worsening anemia may not reduce the clinical benefit derived from ruxolitinib treatment in patients with myelofibrosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, effective communication between patients and their care teams is essential for optimal CML care outcomes. Patients should openly discuss complications from their treatment, set achievable goals of therapy, and maintain a constant flow of communication even between appointments. Additionally, the latest treatments for CML continue to advance, providing hope for improved patient care outcomes.

Originally Post From https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/opening-the-conversation-with-patients-around-cml-concerns

How to Address CML Concerns with Your Patients like a Pro – Oncology Nursing News