NOTE: This module is currently in the process of being updated and recertified, and so does not currently offer CME. A fully updated module eligible for CME is expected to be available February 2024.

Sunil K. Sahai, MD, FAAP, FACP

If you are a Program Director and would like to grant access to your trainees, please reach out to education@hospitalmedicine.org for an academic access code.

Summary

Therapeutic advances in cancer therapy have led to an increase in the number of patients undergoing surgery as part of their cancer treatment. These patients present several unique challenges, including weighing risks against adverse effects of delaying time-sensitive treatment and taking the patient’s cancer and its treatment into account when determining postoperative management. The following module discusses these topics, with an emphasis on cardiovascular and pulmonary toxicities of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents as well as common hematologic problems encountered in patients with cancer.

Goal

To provide hospitalists with a general approach to perioperative risk assessment and postoperative management of patients with cancer.

Target Audience 

This activity is designed for hospitalists. No prerequisites required.

Learning Objectives

After completing the module, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the cardiovascular toxicity of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents and unique cardiovascular risk considerations in the patient with cancer.
2. Identify pulmonary toxicities of radiation and chemotherapy and their potential impact on perioperative management of the oncology patient.
3. Describe common hematologic problems encountered in patients with cancer.
4. Review other common adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy and organ-specific preoperative risk evaluation elements in patients with cancer.
5. Anticipate and manage postoperative complications typical of the cancer patient population.

Accreditation Statement

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Statement Desgnation

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release date & expiration date: 11/20/2018 - 11/20/2021

Estimated time to complete:  2 hours

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy 

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM mitigates all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

Instructions

The following is an interactive educational module designed to help you gauge your basic knowledge of the topic and then direct you to areas you may need to focus on. It consists of several sections: a pre-test, a study program, a post-test, & CME evaluation. All sections must be completed to receive CME credit.