Perceptions on Expected Outcomes of Immunotherapy in Advanced Cancer Patients With Poor Performance Status

Primary Objective:

• To compare expectations of survival benefit from immunotherapy between advanced cancer patients with poor performance status (PS) and their oncologists. We hypothesize that, compared to their oncologists, patients will have expectations for greater likelihood of survival beyond 2 years.

Secondary Objectives:

• To compare expectations of therapeutic benefit of immunotherapy between advanced cancer patients with poor PS and their oncologists. We hypothesize that, compared to their oncologists, patients will have expectations for greater likelihood of cure, quality of life improvement, and lower likelihood of adverse events.
• To qualitatively describe the priorities and preferences for information of advanced cancer patients with poor PS when considering immunotherapy treatment.
• To evaluate the associations between discrepant expectations with patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
• To compare patient and oncologist expectations with actual treatment outcomes and survival.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients being considered for or within 2 months of starting immunotherapy for advanced cancer
• Patient ≥18 years of age
• ECOG ≥2
• Cognitively able to understand consent and complete questionnaire as determined by the interviewer at the time of study enrollment
• English speaking
• Willing to participate in the study and sign informed consent
• The study will include medical oncologists that treat advanced cancers

Exclusion criteria

• Treatment for curative intent
• Presence of Delirium (as determined by score >13 on MDAS 46, appendix A)