Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
-
Support Care Cancer · Feb 2010
Review Comparative StudyIntraspinal techniques for pain management in cancer patients: a systematic review.
This systematic review outlines current evidence regarding the effectiveness of intraspinal techniques for cancer pain and addresses practical implementation issues. ⋯ Intraspinal techniques monitored by an interprofessional health care team should be included as part of a comprehensive cancer pain management program.
-
Support Care Cancer · Feb 2010
Multicenter StudyConstruction of a new, objective prognostic score for terminally ill cancer patients: a multicenter study.
The goal of this study was to develop a new, objective prognostic score (OPS) for terminally ill cancer patients based on an integrated model that includes novel objective prognostic factors. ⋯ We developed the new OPS, without clinician's survival estimates but including a new prognostic factor (LDH). This new instrument demonstrated accurate prediction of the 3-week survival. The OPS had acceptable accuracy in this study population (training set). Further validation is required on an independent population (testing set).
-
Support Care Cancer · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialGP-led melanoma follow-up: views and feelings of patient recipients.
The aim of this study was to explore the practical experiences and feelings of people with cutaneous malignant melanoma about receiving structured melanoma follow-up from their general practitioner (GP) as an alternative to traditional hospital-based follow-up. ⋯ GP-led melanoma follow-up is feasible and is generally viewed positively by those patients that have experienced it.
-
Support Care Cancer · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialPilot study of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding evaluation: NCCTG trial N03CA.
This pilot trial sought to investigate whether any of three doses of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) might help cancer-related fatigue. A secondary aim was to evaluate toxicity. ⋯ There appears to be some activity and tolerable toxicity at 1,000-2,000 mg/day doses of American ginseng with regard to cancer-related fatigue. Thus, further study of American ginseng is warranted.
-
Support Care Cancer · Feb 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEarly switching from morphine to methadone is not improved by acetaminophen in the analgesia of oncologic patients: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of methadone as substitute for morphine and to investigate if the addition of acetaminophen could reduce the time to attain an equianalgesic dose of methadone and/or to improve the level of pain control in oncologic patients. ⋯ Early switching from morphine to methadone was a safe and efficient strategy for the reduction of side effects and improvement of analgesia, allowing for a comfortable dosing regimen. In this scenario, the association with acetaminophen did not improve pain control or reduce the time to achieve an equianalgesic dose of methadone.