Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2006
Multicenter StudyEuroQol and survival prediction in terminal cancer patients: a multicenter prospective study in hospice-palliative care units.
Although the EuroQol (EQ-5D) is widely used for economic evaluation, it remains unclear whether it can be combined with medical data to predict survival in patients with terminal cancer. ⋯ The EQ-5D quality-of-life assessment tool might be useful for predicting survival time for terminal cancer patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialCombined data from two phase III trials of the NK1 antagonist aprepitant plus a 5HT 3 antagonist and a corticosteroid for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: effect of gender on treatment response.
Prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with standard antiemetics has been more difficult to achieve in female patients. Data from two phase III trials of the NK1 antagonist aprepitant were assessed for potential effect of gender on treatment response. ⋯ The addition of aprepitant may negate the adverse prognostic effect of female gender on the prevention of CINV in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2006
Case ReportsGabapentin in the treatment of severe sweating experienced by advanced cancer patients.
Nine patients with advanced cancer suffering from idiopathic severe sweating were treated with gabapentin (600-1,800 mg/day). All patients responded to the treatment; five patients experienced transient drowsiness. Gabapentin seems to be a safe and effective treatment for idiopathic sweating in advanced cancer patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm or refute these results.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2006
Brief oral cryotherapy for the prevention of high-dose melphalan-induced stomatitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.
We previously reported the efficacy of oral cryotherapy for the prevention of high-dose melphalan-induced stomatitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the further shortening of the duration of oral cryotherapy could minimize its side effects while sparing its efficacy. Seventeen consecutive recipients of allogeneic hematopoieic stem cell transplant conditioned with high-dose melphalan in combination with fludarabine alone or with fludarabine and additional radiation were enrolled in the study. ⋯ The difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.677). The incidence of unpleasant symptoms such as chills and nausea during oral cryotherapy decreased significantly with 60-min oral cryotherapy, as compared with that associated with 120-min oral cryotherapy (P < 0.01). These results suggest that 60-min oral cryotherapy is as effective as 120-min oral cryotherapy at preventing high-dose melphalan-induced stomatitis, and shorter treatment might have contributed to relieve patient discomfort during oral cryotherapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2006
Is there a correlation between spirituality and anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer?
To establish whether there is a correlation between spirituality and anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ This study found a significant negative correlation between spirituality (in particular, the existential aspect) and anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer. Religious well-being and strength of belief had no impact on psychological well-being in this study.