PRACTICE PARTNER
PATIENT SAFETY
We use this forum to regularly report on findings from patient safety organizations , expert review committees of the Office of the Chief Coroner , and inquests .
Sharing information key to finding treatment for rare cancers
PHOTO : iSTOCKPHOTO . COM
Physicians are reminded to refer patients with rare forms of cancer to a regional cancer centre for assessment by a multi-disciplinary team . Such referrals will contribute to the collection of information and development and sharing of knowledge , education and research . The reminder comes from the Patient Safety Death Review Committee , a committee of the Chief Coroner ’ s office , after a recent review into the death of a 57-year-old woman who died from systemic metastases . The woman ’ s family raised concerns about her care , follow-up , course of treatment and medication she received . The woman had initially been seen by a surgeon in 2008 for removal of two cysts from her scalp . One of these lesions was demonstrated to be an eccrine adenocarcinoma ( a rare type of carcinoma that arises from sweat glands ). She was followed up at least twice by the surgeon and then discharged . Another cyst was seen in 2011 and drained ( pathology was not determined ). In April 2013 , the patient developed a left neck mass and a new scalp mass . These masses were biopsied and pathology was consistent with a recurrence of the original cancer . The patient underwent resection of the scalp lesion , left parotidectomy and neck dissection . The deep margin of the scalp lesion was positive . Of 80 lymph nodes removed , 45 were involved . The patient received an adjuvant course of combined radiation and cis-platinum chemotherapy ,
ISSUE 4 , 2017 DIALOGUE 59