Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2006
G-CSF mobilised granulocyte transfusions in 32 paediatric patients with neutropenic sepsis.
In this retrospective, uncontrolled, observational study, the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated granulocyte transfusions (GTX) in neutropenic paediatric patients with sepsis was evaluated. ⋯ In contrast to the non-survivors, we observed a significant decrease in the C-reactive protein levels shortly after initiation of the GTX treatment in the surviving patients. A clear-cut benefit of GTX for children with neutropenic sepsis cannot be concluded from these data, but in children with (severe) bacterial sepsis refractory to antibiotic treatment, GTX were feasible, safe and could reduce mortality rates in this subgroup of patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2006
Case ReportsNeuromuscular electrical stimulation for a patient with metastatic lung cancer--a case report.
A 47-year-old female patient suffering from advanced lung cancer with metastatic bone and brain disease participated in a passive exercise program, consisting of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) five times a week, carried out for 4 weeks. After the training period, the results of the 6-min walk (420 m before and 603 m after the training period) have improved by 44%, which demonstrates the increase of physical performance (mobility, endurance capacity). ⋯ Feasibility, safety, and beneficial effects of the NMES program were proven for the patient in this case study. These findings indicate that NMES, initiated and executed with appropriate care, may serve as a useful supportive means of palliative treatment in some patients with advanced cancer and metastatic disease, especially in cases of metastatic involvement of the brain and of the skeletal system with the risk of seizures and pathological fractures where volitional training is not allowed.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2006
Prognostic factors affecting the outcome of brain metastases from breast cancer.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the overall survival rate of patients with brain metastases from breast cancer and to determine prognostic factors affecting outcomes of these patients. ⋯ Survival of breast cancer patients with brain metastases treated with WBRT is poor. To improve survival, enrollment of more patients with brain metastases from breast cancer for prospective trials involving a multimodality approach that combines radiation and systemic therapies based on appropriate patient triage is warranted.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2006
Anastrozole is cost-effective vs tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer: Canadian perspectives on the ATAC completed-treatment analysis.
To conduct an economic analysis comparing tamoxifen and anastrozole (Arimidex) in the adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), post-menopausal early breast cancer patients. ⋯ Compared to tamoxifen, anastrozole therapy is effective and cost-effective as initial adjuvant therapy in post-menopausal, HR+ early breast cancer patients.