Onkologie
-
Few data have been published about terminally ill patients with gastrointestinal tumors treated in palliative care units. ⋯ In multivariate analysis, 5 prognostic factors were identified, and 3 patient groups were defined. After multicenter validation, these factors may help to guide treatment decisions in terminally ill patients with gastrointestinal tumors.
-
Controlled Clinical Trial
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in the treatment of gastrointestinal tumors and secondary prophylaxis with aprepitant.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) belongs to the most feared side-effects of cancer treatment. Its incidence during chemotherapy of gastrointestinal tumors (GITs) with highly and moderately emetogenic regimens is not well documented. It is also unknown whether aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, can be used as secondary antiemetic prophylaxis in case of CINV during cycle 1. ⋯ In the majority of cases, primary standard antiemetic prophylaxis provided adequate protection against CINV. In case of failure to primary prophylaxis, secondary prophylaxis with aprepitant showed a high efficacy against CINV.
-
Due to demographic changes there is an increasing number of elderly and old patients with cancer. This group of patients shows a significant heterogeneity and differs from the average young patient. Identification of relevant functional deficits and comorbidities remains crucial for an efficient treatment strategy of this patient group. ⋯ Within this diagnostic approach oncologists can for example identify elderly fit patients suitable for aggressive treatments or identify at-risk patients for complications. Recent studies have shown that this approach is feasible in daily practice and capable of improving outcome. There is still the need for more specific instruments for different cancers.