title: Variation in the Attitudes of Medical Oncologists Toward Research Biopsies in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tissue from research biopsies provides access to insights into tumor biology. We aimed to determine medical oncologists' (MOs') attitudes toward research biopsies in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 309 breast MOs from National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers were invited to complete a self-administered survey about their attitudes toward approaching patients for research purpose-only biopsies (RPOBs), performed as a standalone procedure, or additional biopsies, performed with a clinically indicated biopsy. The MOs were asked to predict what proportion of their MBC patients would consider undergoing research biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 309 MOs, 221 (72%) responded. Of these 221 MOs, 30 were ineligible, leaving 191 eligible responders. Nearly all the MOs reported they were comfortable approaching patients regarding research biopsies of blood or skin. One fifth of MOs were uncomfortable approaching patients for RPOBs of the breast. One half of MOs were uncomfortable approaching patients for RPOBs of the liver. A significant variation was found in the perceptions by MOs of their patients' willingness to undergo research biopsies. The factors associated with increased comfort in approaching patients for research biopsies included fewer years in practice, caring for patients who had undergone recent research biopsies, and the predicted willingness of patients to consent to biopsies. The risk of a biopsy and biopsy-related pain were the most common reasons for reluctance to refer patients for research biopsies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant variation exists, even at NCI centers, in the comfort level of MOs in approaching MBC patients for research biopsies. MOs' attitudes toward research biopsies might be a modifiable factor in increasing tissue collection for research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tissue-based research is critical in advancing our understanding of cancer biology, and obtaining tissue from a research biopsy provides an essential resource. This study demonstrates the variability of oncologists' attitudes toward research biopsies and elicits factors associated with increased comfort levels with approaching patients for research biopsies. Biopsy risk and biopsy-related pain were commonly cited reasons not to refer patients for research biopsies. If the risk of a research biopsy is deemed sufficiently low enough to be acceptable, oncologists' attitudes might be a potential target for education and change, which may assist in increasing the availability of tissue for cancer research.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Davinia S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Seah
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Najita
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lederman
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sohl
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Zsofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peppercorn
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Winer
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Come
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA nlin@partners.org.
authors.forename: Nancy U
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitudes; Metastatic breast cancer; Physicians; Research biopsies