European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
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Multicenter Study
Pre-operative bevacizumab, capecitabine, oxaliplatin and radiation among patients with locally advanced or low rectal cancer: a phase II trial.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-operative chemoradiation, using capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab with standard doses of radiation, in patients with high-risk rectal cancer. ⋯ British Columbia Cancer Agency, Hoffmann-La Roche Canada and Sanofi-Aventis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A phase III trial of docetaxel-estramustine in high-risk localised prostate cancer: a planned analysis of response, toxicity and quality of life in the GETUG 12 trial.
To assess docetaxel-estramustine in patients with localised high-risk prostate cancer. ⋯ Docetaxel-estramustine can be combined safely with standard therapy in high-risk prostate cancer, with a promising PSA response rate and no negative impact on quality of life after 1 year. Long-term follow-up is required to assess the impact on relapse and survival.
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During the disease course of high-grade glioma (HGG) patients, the goal of therapy eventually shifts from primarily life-prolongation to primarily sustaining the quality of life as good as possible. End-of-life care is aimed at prolongation of life with good quality, but inevitably also may require medical decisions for prevention and relief of suffering with a potential life shortening effect. Few data are available on this end-of-life decision (ELD) making process in HGG patients, with decreased consciousness, confusion or cognitive deficits preventing them to participate. In this study the ELD-making process in HGG patients is described. ⋯ ELDs are common practises amongst HGG patients, although their preferences towards ELDs are frequently unknown to the physician. Because the majority of patients become incompetent towards death, participation in ELD-making is only possible with advanced care planning. Hence, timely discussion of ELD preferences is encouraged.
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Cancer is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Little is known, however, about how end-of-life unfolds for those who die of progressive disease. In order to better evaluate the specific needs of these patients, we performed this study providing baseline information about end-of-life care patterns for AYA in our department. ⋯ The terminally ill adolescent displays notable challenges to care providers and requires a holistic approach with the help of a multidisciplinary team.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
How to switch from morphine or oxycodone to methadone in cancer patients? a randomised clinical phase II trial.
Opioid switching is a treatment strategy in cancer patients with unacceptable pain and/or adverse effects (AEs). We investigated whether patients switched to methadone by the stop and go (SAG) strategy have lower pain intensity (PI) than the patients switched over three days (3DS), and whether the SAG strategy is as safe as the 3DS strategy. ⋯ The SAG patients reported a trend of more pain, had significantly more dropouts and three SAEs, which indicate that the SAG strategy should not replace the 3DS when switching from high doses of morphine or oxycodone to methadone.