Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2019
Caring for the person with cancer and the role of digital technology in supporting carers.
Informal carers may experience a range of unmet needs during the caring period and, at times, lack support to adequately manage care of the person with cancer and balance personal family and work commitments. The aim of this study was to understand the needs of informal carers of people with cancer and how digital technology may be used to address carers' needs. ⋯ Carers require support during the caring period to help balance their own needs with the needs of the person receiving cancer treatment. Digital technology may provide an opportunity to deliver support to carers; however, further research is needed to assess the appropriateness of these interventions to inform improved health outcomes for this vulnerable group.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyOpioid switching and variability in response in pain cancer patients.
Opioid switching is a possible strategy for inadequate analgesia or unmanageable side effects. Its effectiveness ranges from 50 to 90% and is still debated. ⋯ Half of the patients who underwent switching experienced improved relief of pain or amelioration of opioid toxicity. The switch can help in the management of some cases but with many limits and uncertainties.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2019
Outcomes of chemotherapy-induced (febrile) neutropenia prophylaxis with biosimilar filgrastim (Zarzio®) initiated "same-day" (< 24 h), "per-guidelines" (24-72 h), and "late" (> 72 h): findings from the MONITOR-GCSF study.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) are indicated for prophylaxis or management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) and febrile neutropenia (FN). Guidelines recommend G-CSF 24-72 h following chemotherapy; however, some evidence suggests that G-CSF initiated < 24 h may benefit some patients. ⋯ This real-world evidence indicates that CIN/FN prophylaxis initiated with biosimilar filgrastim within 24-72 h post-chemotherapy is effective and safe. Filgrastim administration on the day of chemotherapy may be appropriate in some patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialOpen-label placebo reduces fatigue in cancer survivors: a randomized trial.
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and challenging late effect for many cancer survivors. Clinical trials demonstrate robust placebo effects on CRF in blinded trials. Recently, open-label placebo (OLP) has been shown to improve a variety of symptoms in other populations. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of OLP on CRF in cancer survivors, and to explore biologic and psychological correlates of placebo efficacy. ⋯ Results demonstrate that even when administered openly, placebos improve CRF in cancer survivors and dopaminergic systems may be associated with this response. This novel research has meaningful implications for the use of OLP in symptom management for cancer survivors.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2019
Changes in opinions on palliative sedation of palliative care specialists over 16 years and their effects on clinical practice.
Despite extensive debate on palliative sedation over the last few decades, no studies have explored longitudinal changes in physicians' opinion. Moreover, little is known about how physicians' opinions affect their practice. This study aimed to clarify (1) changes in palliative care specialists' opinions on palliative sedation and (2) the effects of these opinions on clinical practice. ⋯ Recently, palliative care specialists in Japan tend to encounter more difficulties determining what conventional palliative care is and what palliative sedation is. They also fear legal ramifications. It is necessary to standardize methods of alleviating patients' suffering, to make CDS criteria clearer, and to create a legal basis that respects patients' rights at their end of life.