Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
-
Wien Med Wochenschr · May 2004
[Current development in the diagnostics and therapy of systemic fungal infections in cancer patients].
Invasive fungal infections are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. They are of growing concern and a severe infectious complication in cancer patients treated with intensive chemotherapy. Within the last five years substantial progress has been demonstrated for non-culture based diagnostics and treatment of invasive fungal infections. Recent developments in the epidemiology, diagnostics and treatment of fungal infections are reviewed and discussed in the context of the current state of art for the management of invasive fungal infections in cancer patients.
-
Wien Med Wochenschr · May 2004
[Eating and drinking at the end of life. Nutritional support for cancer patients in palliative care].
Anorexia, malnutrition followed by cachexia is observed in up to 80% of cancer patients with advanced stages of their disease, particularly in head and neck cancer, gastro-intestinal cancer and lung cancer. Malnutrition is associated with an unfavourable prognosis and has been demonstrated to be associated with an increased morbidity and an increased readmission rate. ⋯ Early intervention and nutritional support may be helpful in preventing anorexia and further weight loss. Successful approaches in treating anorexia have been undertaken with corticosteroids and gestagenes.