Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2007
Telephone consultation in palliative care for cancer patients: 5 years of experience in The Netherlands.
To analyze cancer patient-related consultations of a telephone helpdesk (TH) for palliative care over a period of 5 years in the region of Utrecht, The Netherlands. ⋯ After more than 5 years, the 24-h telephone consultation service fulfills a need for general practitioners dealing with daily dilemmas in palliative care treatment for cancer patients at home during the last period of their life.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2007
Dexamethasone for the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases: a pilot study.
To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a prophylactic adjuvant analgesic to decrease pain flare and to assess its safety and tolerance of dexamethasone. ⋯ Dexamethasone might be effective in the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases. Randomized trials are required to confirm the finding.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2007
Artificial nutrition and hydration in terminal cancer patients: the real and the ideal.
To better understand current practice relating to artificial nutrition/hydration in terminal cancer patients, we enrolled terminal cancer patients who were admitted at Seoul National University Boramae Hospital for supportive care only and who died with a duration of hospital stay to death of more than 1 week between 2003 and 2004. We detailed oral intake and intravenous nutrition/hydration status on admission, 1 week after admission, and 2 days before death. Administered calories and changes in these according to time and "DNR" (do-not-resuscitate) status were noted. ⋯ This study showed the high prevalence of artificial nutrition/hydration, especially intravenous infusion, in Korean terminal cancer patients compared with situation in other countries. More studies are needed to verify the efficacy of artificial nutrition/hydration in terminal cancer patients.