The journal of supportive oncology
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Anorexia and appetite assessment is an important priority in supportive oncology. A series of 156 veterans participating in a hematology oncology service completed the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form (MSAS-SF), and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and were followed for survival. The FAACT score correlated well with Karnofsky performance status, quality of life, and symptom distress subscales. ⋯ These self-reported appetite measures were univariate predictors of survival and contributed additional prognostic information to data related to weight-loss distress. In a smaller study, the FAACT score correlated with a visual analogue measure of appetite and with the North Center Cancer Treatment Group appetite instrument. These data support use of these tools for the evaluation of appetite concerns among patients with advanced cancer.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Palonosetron improves prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in elderly patients.
Although elderly patients have been reported to be less prone to chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), its management is complicated by a high frequency of comorbidities and polypharmacy and an increased risk of dehydration and impaired cognition. The comparative efficacy and tolerability of palonosetron and ondansetron/dolasetron were assessed in a retrospective post hoc analysis using pooled data from 171 elderly patients (age > or = 65 years) with cancer enrolled in two randomized, double-blind, phase III clinical studies comparing single IV doses of these antiemetic agents given prior to receipt of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. The complete response rate during the postchemotherapy period was significantly higher in the palonosetron group than in the ondansetron/dolasetron group in the 5 days following chemotherapy. ⋯ Comparisons in electrocardiogram parameters revealed that the mean postdose change from baseline in QTc interval was 3 ms for palonosetron 0.25 mg and 5 ms for ondansetron/dolasetron. In this retrospective analysis, palonosetron provided superior efficacy to ondansetron/dolasetron for the treatment of CINV in elderly patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Based on its safety profile, antiemetic control, and convenient dosing, palonosetron can be recommended for use in elderly patients with cancer receiving emetogenic chemotherapy.