Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2015
Analysis of factors related to arm weakness in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ratio of significant weakness in the affected arm of breast cancer-related lymphedema patients to their unaffected side. Another purpose was to identify factors related to arm weakness and physical function in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. ⋯ Appropriate physical and psychological interventions, including providing accurate information and reassurance of physical activity safety, are necessary to prevent arm weakness and physical dysfunction in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.
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Pediatric oncologists look after patients and their families for extended periods of time when they are diagnosed and treated for cancer. Twenty percent of these children will die while under their care. The purpose of this study was to explore what makes patient deaths challenging for pediatric oncologists. ⋯ The types of relationships pediatric oncologists have with patients and caregivers, and the process by which children die affects pediatric oncologists' perceived level of difficulty in coping with the death. The findings point to the complexity of working with children where parents are included in the decision-making processes around a child's treatment. Implementation of structured review opportunities around patient death and associated decision-making within a multidisciplinary healthcare team may alleviate some of the emotional burden associated with patient deaths.
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2015
Observational StudyComing and going: predicting the discharge of cancer patients admitted to a palliative care unit: easier than thought?
Discharging a patient admitted to an inpatient palliative care unit (PCU) is a major challenge. A predictor of the feasibility of home discharge at the time of admission would be very useful. We tried to identify such predictors in a prospective observational study. ⋯ Estimation by a nurse and a physician were highly significant predictors of the likelihood of discharge and remained significant in a multivariate logistic regression model including KPS and PPS. Other variables, such as a panel of laboratory tests or sociodemographic variables, were not associated with discharge or death.