Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2006
ReviewThe WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain control, twenty years of use. How much pain relief does one get from using it?
Pain is a major problem in the treatment of patients with cancer. This article reviews studies concerning evaluation of patients with cancer pain treated according to The World Health Organization (WHO) analgesic ladder. ⋯ However, the evidence that they provide is insufficient to grant the effectiveness of the WHO guidelines because a controlled clinical trial of this intervention has never been published.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of vitamin E supplementation for protection against cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: final results.
A randomized, open label with blind assessment, controlled trial was performed to assess efficacy and adverse-event profile of vitamin E, given as supplementation for prophylaxis against cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). ⋯ Vitamin E effectively and safely protects patients with cancer from occurrence of cisplatin neurotoxicity.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2006
Comparative StudySymptom profiles and palliative care in advanced pancreatic cancer: a prospective study.
To describe prospectively the prevalence and severity of disease-related symptoms, quality of life (QOL) and need for palliative care in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. ⋯ Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer develop several distressing symptoms. ESAS was useful for assessment of symptom prevalence and intensity and is a clinically adequate method for symptom control. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the best palliation of symptoms at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2006
Can patient satisfaction with quality of life predict survival in advanced colorectal cancer?
The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between patient satisfaction with quality of life (QoL) and survival in colorectal cancer patients undergoing care in a community hospital comprehensive cancer center. ⋯ We found that baseline patient satisfaction with QoL, as measured by the QLI, provides useful prognostic information in patients with colorectal cancer independent of tumor stage at diagnosis and treatment history. While these findings require further investigation in large patient cohorts, they may have important implications for patient stratification in clinical trials and aid in clinical decision-making.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2006
Financial and family burden associated with cancer treatment in Ontario, Canada.
To determine the financial and family resources burden associated with the treatment of cancer. A questionnaire was developed to determine the direct monthly "out-of-pocket costs" (OOPC), the indirect costs, and the associated perceived family burden. ⋯ These results suggest the financial burden is problematic for 20% of this sample. The caregivers' lost time from work influence this burden, and for 36% of this sample, it amounts to one third of their working days in any given month. Policies and programs to address these gaps are needed.