Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain

The improvement in survival rates in metastatic lung cancer (mLC) has increased the number of survivors’ special care needs. This study aimed to define and characterise these long-term survivors. A Delphi method with two successive rounds was conducted to reach a consensus (defined as an agreement ≥...

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Main Authors: Enric Carcereny, Manuel Domine, Ana Laura Ortega Granados
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546019/full
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author Enric Carcereny
Enric Carcereny
Manuel Domine
Ana Laura Ortega Granados
author_facet Enric Carcereny
Enric Carcereny
Manuel Domine
Ana Laura Ortega Granados
author_sort Enric Carcereny
collection DOAJ
description The improvement in survival rates in metastatic lung cancer (mLC) has increased the number of survivors’ special care needs. This study aimed to define and characterise these long-term survivors. A Delphi method with two successive rounds was conducted to reach a consensus (defined as an agreement ≥ 70%) on 56 items among 41 medical oncologists. The items included the definition of long-term survivors, their common characteristics, and oncological and non-oncological implications. The experts had an average age of 46 years, 53.7% were men, 90.2% attended for thoracic tumours, 40% had more than 15 years’ experience in mLC, and 56.1% of managing > 50 patients/month. Consensus reached 53.6% in the first round and 73.2% in the second. The definition of long-term survivors reached 58.3% consensus, defined as overall survival ≥ 3 years and/or progression-free survival ≥ 2 years. Identification of common features obtained 76.2% consensus on adenocarcinoma subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer, high PD-L1 expression, absence of brain metastasis, and fewer than two metastatic locations. Consensus was reached on specialized medical follow-up to detect immune-mediated toxicities and second neoplasms (87.8%), on pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment for fatigue (82.9%) and sexual dysfunction (85.4%); and also on the importance of support for work and social adaptation (92.7%), integration of primary and hospital care (90.2%), implementation of quality-of-life programmes (92.7%) and electronic media (73.2%). This consensus identifies common characteristics and highlights relevant implications that should guide the follow-up and clinical management of these patients, ensuring better care and quality of life.
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spelling doaj-art-d72b8497ae534740b2e0bbf1a0857f352025-08-20T01:51:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-04-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15460191546019Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in SpainEnric Carcereny0Enric Carcereny1Manuel Domine2Ana Laura Ortega Granados3Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Badalona, SpainBadalona Badalona Applied Research Group in Oncology (B·ARGO), Badalona, SpainMedical Oncology Department, Jiménez Díaz Foundation University Hospital- IIS- FJD, Madrid, SpainMedical Oncology Department, University Hospital of Jaén, Jaén, SpainThe improvement in survival rates in metastatic lung cancer (mLC) has increased the number of survivors’ special care needs. This study aimed to define and characterise these long-term survivors. A Delphi method with two successive rounds was conducted to reach a consensus (defined as an agreement ≥ 70%) on 56 items among 41 medical oncologists. The items included the definition of long-term survivors, their common characteristics, and oncological and non-oncological implications. The experts had an average age of 46 years, 53.7% were men, 90.2% attended for thoracic tumours, 40% had more than 15 years’ experience in mLC, and 56.1% of managing > 50 patients/month. Consensus reached 53.6% in the first round and 73.2% in the second. The definition of long-term survivors reached 58.3% consensus, defined as overall survival ≥ 3 years and/or progression-free survival ≥ 2 years. Identification of common features obtained 76.2% consensus on adenocarcinoma subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer, high PD-L1 expression, absence of brain metastasis, and fewer than two metastatic locations. Consensus was reached on specialized medical follow-up to detect immune-mediated toxicities and second neoplasms (87.8%), on pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment for fatigue (82.9%) and sexual dysfunction (85.4%); and also on the importance of support for work and social adaptation (92.7%), integration of primary and hospital care (90.2%), implementation of quality-of-life programmes (92.7%) and electronic media (73.2%). This consensus identifies common characteristics and highlights relevant implications that should guide the follow-up and clinical management of these patients, ensuring better care and quality of life.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546019/fullmetastatic lung cancercancer survivorslong-term survivalconsensusDelphi study
spellingShingle Enric Carcereny
Enric Carcereny
Manuel Domine
Ana Laura Ortega Granados
Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
Frontiers in Oncology
metastatic lung cancer
cancer survivors
long-term survival
consensus
Delphi study
title Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
title_full Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
title_fullStr Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
title_full_unstemmed Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
title_short Defining long-term survivors in metastatic lung cancer: insights from a Delphi study in Spain
title_sort defining long term survivors in metastatic lung cancer insights from a delphi study in spain
topic metastatic lung cancer
cancer survivors
long-term survival
consensus
Delphi study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1546019/full
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