Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Dec 2013
Managing brain metastases patients with and without radiotherapy: initial lessonsfrom a team-based consult service through a multidisciplinary integrated palliative oncology clinic.
A new ambulatory consultative clinic with integrated assessments by palliative care, radiation oncology, and allied health professionals was introduced to (1) assess patients with brain metastases at a regional comprehensive cancer center and (2) inform and guide patients on management strategies, including palliative radiotherapy, symptom control, and end-of-life care issues. We conducted a quality assurance study to inform clinical program development. ⋯ By integrating palliative care expertise to address the complex needs of patients with newly diagnosed brain metastases, end-of-life radiotherapy use appears acceptable and improved over historical rates at our institution. An appreciable proportion of patients are not suitable for palliative brain radiotherapy or opt against this treatment option, but the team approach involving nurses, palliative care experts, allied health, and clinical oncologists facilitates patient-centered decision making and transition to end-of-life care.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2013
Multicenter StudyPredictors of satisfaction with treatment decision, decision-making preferences, and main treatment goals in patients with advanced cancer.
This study investigated satisfaction with treatment decision (SWTD), decision-making preferences (DMP), and main treatment goals, as well as evaluated factors that predict SWTD, in patients receiving palliative cancer treatment at a Swiss oncology network. ⋯ Our results indicate that high SWTD can be achieved in most patients with a 30-min consultation. Determining the patient's main treatment goal and DMP adds important information that should be considered before discussing a new line of palliative treatment.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2013
Clinical TrialLidocaine 5 % patches as an effective short-term co-analgesic in cancer pain. Preliminary results.
To analyze the short-term efficacy and patients' subjective perception of the use of lidocaine 5 % patches for painful scars (post-thoracotomy and post-mastectomy) and pain caused by chest wall tumors. ⋯ The addition of lidocaine 5 % patches is effective in the short term for the treatment of neuropathic cancer pain accompanied by allodynia, whether deriving from a painful scar or chest wall tumor. These findings need to be confirmed by randomized controlled trials with larger samples.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2013
Observational StudyPalliative and oncologic co-management: symptom management for outpatients with cancer.
Although outpatient palliative care clinics are increasingly common, evidence for their efficacy remains limited. ⋯ Palliative care was associated with significant improvement in nearly all the symptoms evaluated. A sustained change in symptoms was observed in the subset of patients seen for a second follow-up visit. Members of all subgroups improved.
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Support Care Cancer · Nov 2013
Clinical TrialMindfulness-based cognitive group therapy for women with breast and gynecologic cancer: a pilot study to determine effectiveness and feasibility.
Group-based mindfulness training is frequently described in psycho-oncology literature, but little is known of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). We investigated the effectiveness and acceptability of MBCT for women with breast and gynecologic cancer. ⋯ Within the limits of a non-randomized trial, these findings provide preliminary support for the potential psychosocial benefits of MBCT in a heterogeneous group of women with cancer. Future, more comprehensive trials are needed to provide systematic evidence of this therapy in oncology settings.