Patient Perceptions of Treatment Benefit and Toxicity in Advanced Cancer: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: Prior studies show that many patients receiving palliative cancer therapies misperceive likelihood of cure. Patients’ understanding treatment benefits and risks beyond cure is unknown. We explore patient perceptions in the novel therapeutic era. METHODS: surveyed with advanced solid cancers their oncologists regarding therapies. assessed perceived tumor response, survival benefit, symptom palliation, side effects. used generalized estimating equations to calculate least squares means misperception (patient-assessed minus physician-assessed benefit), accounting for clustering by physician, compared degree participant characteristics. RESULTS: Of 119 enrolled, median age was 65 years (range, 59-73 years), 55% were male, 56% had prior treatment. Treatments included chemotherapy (60%), immunotherapy (24%), targeted therapy (15%). Compared oncologists, overestimate curability (median misperception, 20%; interquartile range [IQR], 0 60), chances response (median, IQR, 40), palliation 10%; −10 30), benefit 40). Toxicity relatively accurately estimated 0.5%; −20 20). Immunotherapy associated higher risk toxicity. Misperceptions did not correlate (r = 0.13, P .15). CONCLUSION: overestimated but There no strong correlation between perception other goals therapy. Communication focused on alongside may reduce misperceptions facilitate informed choices patients.