Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Mar 2016
Minimal important differences in the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL to determine meaningful change in palliative advanced cancer patients.
Quality of life (QOL) is important for advanced cancer patients. Brief questionnaires are advantageous to reduce patient burden. In large clinical trials, statistically significant small changes can be achieved; however, whether such change is clinically relevant is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the minimal important differences (MID) of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life core 15 palliative questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL). ⋯ Meaningful change in the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL is important for clinicians to determine the impact of treatment on the QOL of patients and can aid in determining the sample size required for clinical trials. Future studies should investigate MID in subgroups using symptom-specific modules.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Dec 2015
Clinicopathological predictors of benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy for stage C colorectal cancer: Microsatellite unstable cases benefit.
In colorectal cancer (CRC), adjuvant therapy is offered on the basis of stage and attempts to identify factors to better target treatment have not been successful. Recent work suggested that mismatch repair deficient CRCs may not benefit from 5FU adjuvant chemotherapy but studies remain conflicting. We aimed to determine if gender, tumor site, tumor pathological characteristics and microsatellite instability (MSI) predict survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in stage C CRC. ⋯ These results suggest that survival benefit from 5FU adjuvant chemotherapy for stage C CRC does not vary according to gender, site of tumor, pathological characteristics or MSI status. This study suggests that it would be unwise to exclude patients from being offered adjuvant chemotherapy on the basis of MSI.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Dec 2014
Multicenter StudyPhase II, open-label trial of lapatinib and vinorelbine in women with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lapatinib (L) and intravenous vinorelbine (V) in patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have previously received two lines of anti-HER2 therapy (i.e. trastuzumab [T] with chemotherapy and lapatinib with capecitabine [LC]). ⋯ The combination of LV demonstrated modest efficacy but was well tolerated. This combination may be of benefit to those patients who are unable to access the newer anti-HER2 agents and the low rate of treatment-emergent adverse effects will enable patients' symptoms, such as pain, to be minimized.
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Asia Pac J Clin Oncol · Dec 2014
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia position statement on the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients.
Health professionals involved in the clinical management of cancer are becoming increasingly aware that their patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). As cancer incidence and survival rates increase, use of CAM is also likely to increase. ⋯ Key definitions and common communication scenarios are presented along with evidence-based recommended steps for health professionals when discussing CAM use. COSA encourages health professionals to focus on open discussion with their patients regarding CAM, to become familiar with reputable resources for CAM information, to discuss with patients the concept of evidence-based medicine, to recognize limitations to their knowledge of CAM and seek further advice when necessary, and to be respectful of the patients' right to autonomy.