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Patient Experiences After Aborted Cancer Surgery: A Qualitative Study

  • Global Health Services Research
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Surgical resection is a necessary component of curative-intent treatment for most solid-organ cancers but is occasionally aborted, most often due to occult metastatic disease or unanticipated unresectability. Despite its frequency, little research has been performed on the experiences, care needs, and treatment preferences of patients who experience an aborted cancer surgery.

Methods

Semistructured interviews of patients who had previously experienced an aborted cancer surgery were conducted, focusing on their recalled experiences and stated preferences. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded by two independent researchers by using NVivo 12. An integrative approach to qualitative analysis was used—both inductive and deductive methods—and iteratively identifying themes until saturation was reached.

Results

Fifteen patients with an aborted cancer surgery participated in the interviews. Cancer types included pancreatic (n = 9), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 3), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1), gallbladder (n = 1), and neuroendocrine (n = 1). The most common reasons for aborting surgery included local tumor unresectability (n = 8) and occult metastatic disease (n = 7). Five subthemes that characterized the patient experience following an aborted cancer surgery emerged, including physical symptoms, emotional responses, impact on social and life factors, coping mechanisms, and support received.

Conclusions

This qualitative study characterizes the impact of aborted cancer surgery on multiple domains of quality of life: physical, emotional, social, and existential. These results highlight the importance of developing patient-centered interventions that focus on enhancing quality of life after aborted cancer surgery.

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Acknowledgment

The authors extend their sincere appreciation to all participants of this study who shared their experiences and preferences with us.

Funding

This research was supported in part by funding from the American Cancer Society (PEP-22-028-01-CTSP) and the Pelotonia Intramural Research Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Lena Stevens PhD, Alexandra G. Lopez-Aguiar MD, Rakhsha Khatri BA, Aslam Ejaz MD, Timothy M. Pawlik MD, PhD & Jordan M. Cloyd MD

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Sharla Wells-Di Gregorio PhD

  3. Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Erin Scott MD & Sachin Kale MD

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  1. Lena Stevens PhD
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Correspondence to Jordan M. Cloyd MD.

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Stevens, L., Wells-Di Gregorio, S., Lopez-Aguiar, A.G. et al. Patient Experiences After Aborted Cancer Surgery: A Qualitative Study. Ann Surg Oncol 30, 6844–6851 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-023-14046-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-023-14046-6

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