Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2013
Observational StudyAdding procalcitonin to the MASCC risk-index score could improve risk stratification of patients with febrile neutropenia.
Infectious complication could be life-threatening in patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN). The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk-index score is used to predict the complications of these patients, and it has been focused on identifying low-risk patients who may be candidates for outpatient management. In this study, we evaluated procalcitonin (PCT) and the MASCC score in predicting bacteremia and septic shock in patients with FN. ⋯ Implicating PCT as a routine use in clinical practice along with the MASCC score could improve risk stratification of patients with FN.
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2013
Observational StudyMultidisciplinary care in patients with prostate cancer: room for improvement.
New multimodality treatment approaches for prostate cancer require multidisciplinary management of patients. We aimed to assess the current practices of multidisciplinarity and their possible implications in treatment management in Switzerland. ⋯ Participation at MTBs is high among Swiss urologists and oncologists in private practice and at non-university tertiary centers. In spite of that only a small minority of patietns with prostate cancer are presented at MTBs.
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A hospice may provide an ideal setting to use methadone because of a more protective environment in comparison with a home care setting, where it is seldom used. The aim of this survey was to investigate the frequency of the use of methadone in Italian hospices and how it is used. ⋯ Physicians working in hospices should improve the knowledge regarding the use of opioids, including methadone, as well as complex treatments which can be the principal reason for hospice admission.
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2013
Reducing disparity in outcomes for immigrants with cancer: a qualitative assessment of the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally targeted telephone-based supportive care intervention.
Australia has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world. Immigrant cancer patients' poorer outcomes compared to English-speaking patients confirm the need for culturally sensitive supportive care interventions. The aims of this study were (1) to identify cultural sensitivities that are important to the acceptability of a telephone-based supportive care intervention and (2) to identify cultural barriers and facilitators to intervention participation. ⋯ This study provides cultural insights relevant to the development of a culturally sensitive telephone-based supportive care intervention for Arabic- and Chinese-speaking cancer patients. Participants highlighted the need for face-to-face contact and inclusion of patient-initiated calls as important methodological considerations.
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialThe role of physical activity and physical fitness in postcancer fatigue: a randomized controlled trial.
Patients suffering from postcancer fatigue have both an inferior physical activity and physical fitness compared to non-fatigued cancer survivors. The aims of this study were (1) to examine the effect of cognitive behavior therapy, an effective treatment for postcancer fatigue, on physical activity and physical fitness and (2) to examine whether the effect of cognitive behavior therapy on postcancer fatigue is mediated by physical activity and/or physical fitness. ⋯ Cognitive behavior therapy effectively reduced postcancer fatigue and increased physical activity but did not change physical fitness. The effect of cognitive behavior therapy on postcancer fatigue is not mediated by a change in physical activity or physical fitness.