PMID- 36282838
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 20221027
LR  - 20221028
IS  - 1932-6203 (Electronic)
IS  - 1932-6203 (Linking)
VI  - 17
IP  - 10
DP  - 2022
TI  - Cancer patients' experiences of the diagnosis and treatment of incidental 
      pulmonary embolism (a qualitative study).
PG  - e0276754
LID - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276754 [doi]
LID - e0276754
AB  - BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of symptomatic cancer-associated thrombosis often 
      causes distress and alarm for patients, especially for those unaware of the risk, 
      or the signs and symptoms to look out for. There are few data about cancer 
      patients' experiences of incidentally diagnosed pulmonary embolism (IPE), where 
      lack of warning (recognised signs, symptoms) may cause delayed diagnosis and 
      aggravate distress. OBJECTIVES: To explore cancer patients' experience of the 
      diagnosis of and living with incidental pulmonary embolism treated with 
      anticoagulation. METHODS: A qualitative study using modified grounded theory 
      approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of a mixed- methods 
      prospective observational survey study of consenting patients with IPE. Data were 
      subjected to thematic analysis. The qualitative findings are presented. FINDINGS: 
      Eleven participants were interviewed (mean age 68.3 years, range 38-82 years; 
      various forms of cancer and stages). Three major themes and one cross-cutting 
      theme were generated. Theme (1): IPE is experienced in the context of cancer and 
      concomitant comorbidities. Issues are understood in the shadow of-and often 
      overshadowed by-current serious illness. Theme (2): Being diagnosed with IPE. 
      Misattribution to cancer or other comorbidities caused delay in help-seeking and 
      diagnosis. Theme (3): Coping with anticoagulation. Participants' incorporated 
      anticoagulation treatment and its effects into their daily routine with 
      acceptance and stoicism. Finally, the cross-cutting theme relates to a lack of 
      information and uncertainty, contributing to distress throughout the experience. 
      CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of IPE was upsetting and unexpected. Expert and timely 
      information was valued by those with IPE. Education called for about the 
      increased risk of cancer-associated thrombosis and the signs and symptoms to be 
      aware of.
FAU - Benelhaj, Naima E
AU  - Benelhaj NE
AUID- ORCID: 0000-0002-6479-6330
AD  - Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
FAU - Hutchinson, Ann
AU  - Hutchinson A
AD  - Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of 
      Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
FAU - Maraveyas, Anthony
AU  - Maraveyas A
AUID- ORCID: 0000-0003-4176-5176
AD  - Queen's Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals 
      NHS Trust, Hull, United Kingdom.
FAU - Johnson, Miriam J
AU  - Johnson MJ
AD  - Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of 
      Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
LA  - eng
PT  - Journal Article
PT  - Observational Study
DEP - 20221025
PL  - United States
TA  - PLoS One
JT  - PloS one
JID - 101285081
RN  - 0 (Anticoagulants)
SB  - IM
MH  - Humans
MH  - Adult
MH  - Middle Aged
MH  - Aged
MH  - Aged, 80 and over
MH  - *Pulmonary Embolism/diagnosis/drug therapy/complications
MH  - *Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis
MH  - Qualitative Research
MH  - Adaptation, Psychological
MH  - Anticoagulants/therapeutic use
PMC - PMC9595511
COIS- The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
EDAT- 2022/10/26 06:00
MHDA- 2022/10/28 06:00
PMCR- 2022/10/25
CRDT- 2022/10/25 13:34
PHST- 2022/01/11 00:00 [received]
PHST- 2022/10/12 00:00 [accepted]
PHST- 2022/10/25 13:34 [entrez]
PHST- 2022/10/26 06:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 2022/10/28 06:00 [medline]
PHST- 2022/10/25 00:00 [pmc-release]
AID - PONE-D-22-00962 [pii]
AID - 10.1371/journal.pone.0276754 [doi]
PST - epublish
SO  - PLoS One. 2022 Oct 25;17(10):e0276754. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276754. 
      eCollection 2022.