SURVIVOR
Unexpected Survivorship - Researching and improving the occurrence, experience and monitoring of unexpected survival in oncology
Background
For a long time, many advanced-stage tumor diseases were considered incurable and patients were expected to die soon. Recent developments in oncology, for example immunotherapy, have significantly improved the survival chances of patients with certain tumor entities (e.g. non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma or metastatic melanoma) and in some cases lead to long-term remissions of advanced or metastatic tumors. As a result, there are patients whose disease progression was based on a supposedly poor prognosis and who then experience an unexpected therapeutic success. We consider these patients to be "unexpected survivors".
It can be assumed that this group of patients experience similar experiences and challenges as cancer survivors, such as fear of remission or loss of confidence in their own body. On the other hand, unexpected survivors must be considered a separate group due to the radical change in their future and life horizon. Due to their special emotional and real experience, there may be a specific need for support and aftercare. It is not yet clear in which constellations unexpected survivorship occurs, how it is experienced and perceived from the perspective of the affected patients, relatives and hospital staff, and which support services are helpful in coping with these experiences.
Aim
The aim of the project is to conduct exploratory research into the phenomenon of "unexpected survivorship", to identify topics for support and aftercare and to develop a research proposal based on this.
Specifically, the following questions are to be addressed:
- In which oncology departments does Unexpected Survivorship occur and on what does it depend that patients:inside and relatives of an advanced tumor disease experience their own survival as unexpected?
- How do patients, relatives and hospital staff experience unexpected survivorship from a subjective perspective and what challenges do they face in dealing with it?
- Which topics for support and aftercare can be identified in order to develop and offer tailor-made support services for this ever-growing group of patients?
Funding
The project is funded by the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Lower Saxony, Claudia von Schilling Center. The funding period runs from 01.09.2024 to 31.08.2025.
Project partners
Clinical Department of Radiotherapy and Special Oncology (MHH)
Clinical Department of Dermatology and Allergy (MHH)
Clinical Department of Haematology, Haemostaseology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation (MHH)
Clinical Department of Pneumology and Infectious Diseases (MHH)
SURVIVOR - Contact
Contact persons
Dr. Sven Schwabe (Project Management)
Phone: +49 511 532-4997
Franziska Kirchmann (Research Assistant)
Phone: +49 511 532-8599
Address
Hannover Medical School
Institute ofGeneral Medicine and Palliative Medicine
Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1
30625 Hannover