Japanese journal of clinical oncology
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Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol. · Dec 2020
ReviewAdjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for biliary tract cancer: a review of clinical trials.
Cancer originating in the biliary tract can be classified as bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), gallbladder cancer, or ampullary cancer. Bile duct cancer is further divided to intrahepatic, perihilar and distal bile duct subtypes according to the anatomical location of the tumor. The biological characteristics of each tumor are heterogeneous. ⋯ Several other studies of adjuvant therapy are ongoing, and they may lead to reforms in treatment strategy for resectable biliary tract cancer in the future. The use of neoadjuvant therapy for biliary tract cancer is in its infancy, but it is expected to overcome the limitations of adjuvant therapy for this malignancy. In this review, we summarized the evidence available from clinical trials of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy for biliary tract cancer and described ongoing clinical trials.
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Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol. · Dec 2020
Multicenter StudyBarriers to end-of-life discussion with advanced cancer patient as perceived by oncologists, certified/specialized nurses in cancer nursing and medical social workers.
The objectives of this study were to identify barriers to end-of-life discussion with advanced cancer patients and their families as perceived by oncologists, certified/specialized nurses in cancer nursing (hereafter, collectively referred to as 'nurses') and medical social workers, as well as to clarify their opinions about effective strategies to facilitate end-of-life discussion. ⋯ Barriers impeding end-of-life discussion were factors related to patients and their families, and oncologists' close cooperation with nurses and medical social workers is important in providing emotional support for patients and families. To facilitate end-of-life discussion, it is important to share information on patients' prognosis and goals for treatment among oncologists and other medical professionals, as well as strengthen communication skill of these medical professions.