Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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EXECUTIVE The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) believes that it is the oncologists' responsibility to care for their patients in a continuum that extends from the moment of diagnosis throughout the course of the illness. In addition to appropriate anticancer treatment, this includes symptom control and psychosocial support during all phases of care, including those during the last phase of life. ⋯ To reach these goals, ASCO has identified numerous obstacles that hinder delivery of high-quality end-of-life care and offers recommendations for improvements. ASCO is committed to informing its membership and the public about the significant barriers to optimal care at the end of life, and advocating legislative and regulatory changes that will eliminate these barriers.
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Clinical Trial
Isolated hepatic perfusion with tumor necrosis factor and melphalan for unresectable cancers confined to the liver.
To evaluate the efficacy and systemic and regional toxicities of hyperthermic isolated hepatic perfusion (IHP) using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan for the treatment of unresectable primary or metastatic cancers confined to the liver. ⋯ IHP with TNF and melphalan results in significant regression of bulky hepatic cancers confined to the liver in the majority of patients. Based on these initial results, further refinement of this treatment technique is warranted; perhaps by the combination of IHP with other regional treatment strategies to provide long-term control of unresectable cancers confined to liver.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Palliation of pain associated with metastatic bone cancer using samarium-153 lexidronam: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of samarium-153 (153Sm) lexidronam (EDTMP) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. ⋯ A single dose of 1.0 mCi/kg of 153Sm-EDTMP provided relief from pain associated with bone metastases. Pain relief was observed within 1 week of administration and persisted until at least week 16 in the majority of patients who responded.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Quality of life and cancer pain: satisfaction and side effects with transdermal fentanyl versus oral morphine.
To compare pain-related treatment satisfaction, patient-perceived side effects, functioning, and well-being in patients with advanced cancer who were receiving either transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Titusville, NJ) or sustained-release oral forms of morphine (MS Contin, Perdue Frederick Co, Norwalk, CT, or Oramorph SR, Roxanne Laboratories, Columbus, OH). ⋯ These data suggest that patients are more satisfied with transdermal fentanyl compared with sustained-release oral forms of morphine. A lower frequency and reduced impact of side effects with transdermal fentanyl may be one reason cancer patients who receive fentanyl are more satisfied with their pain management.
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Clinical Trial
Phase II trial of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
To assess the activity and toxicity profile of combined taxol (paclitaxel), ifosfamide, and platinum (cisplatin) (TIP) in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck. ⋯ TIP had major activity in this setting, with a 58% objective response rate, 17% complete response rate, durable complete responses (six of nine persisting), and relatively well-tolerated toxicity, with no toxic deaths. The activity of TIP, a novel taxol-cisplatin-based regimen, in recurrent or metastatic head and neck SCC should be confirmed in a phase III trial.