Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33686611›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2021

Experience and supportive care needs of metastatic lung cancer survivors living with uncertainty: a brief qualitative report.

Laura A Petrillo, Lara N Traeger, Robert K Sommer, Ashley Z Zhou, Jennifer S Temel, Joseph A Greer

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
4.7field-weighted citation impact, top 5% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed, 30 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Healthcare workers' real experiences with lung cancer: a qualitative study in China.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. What patients with advanced cancer experience as helpful in navigating their life with a long-term response: a qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Health behaviors and well-being among those "living" with metastatic cancer in Alabama.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2022
    Article
  12. Article
  13. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Laura A PetrilloDivision of Palliative Care and Geriatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. lpetrillo2@mgh.harvard.edu.ORCID 0000-0002-8721-4858
Lara N TraegerDepartment of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Robert K SommerDepartment of Educational and Psychological Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, 33146, FL, USA.
Ashley Z ZhouDivision of Palliative Care and Geriatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Jennifer S TemelDivision of Hematology and Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Joseph A GreerDepartment of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Massachusetts General Hospital · USUniversity of Miami · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMolecularly targeted therapies have revolutionized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Many patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving targeted therapy may live several years with incurable cancer. We sought to describe how these metastatic cancer survivors and their caregivers experience uncertainty about the future and identify their unmet supportive care needs.

methodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving targeted therapy (n = 39) and their caregivers (n = 16). We used a framework approach to code and analyze the qualitative data.

resultsMetastatic lung cancer survivors described awareness of their mortality and the possibility that their cancer could progress at any time. Though some found ways to cope, many felt inadequately supported to manage their distress, especially since they were "doing fine medically." Survivors struggled with decisions about working and managing their finances given their uncertain life expectancy and sought trustworthy lung cancer information in plain language. They wished to compare experiences with other patients with their molecular subtype of NSCLC. Participants desired comprehensive cancer care that includes psychosocial support, preparation for the future, and ways to promote their own health, such as through lifestyle changes.

conclusionsPatients with metastatic NSCLC receiving targeted therapy and their caregivers experience distress related to living with uncertainty and desire more coping support, connection with peers, information, and healthy lifestyle guidance. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Patients living with treatable yet incurable cancer and their caregivers are a growing population of cancer survivors. Recognition of their unmet needs may inform the development of tailored support services to help them live well with cancer.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsCarcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungLung NeoplasmsHumansLungQuality of LifeSurvivorsUncertaintyCopingLung cancerMetastatic cancerPrecision medicineSupportive careUncertainty

Identifiers

PMID33686611
OpenAlexW3133512429

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.