Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · May 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudySix- versus 12-h conversion method from intravenous to transdermal fentanyl in chronic cancer pain: a randomized study.
The objective of the present prospective study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a 12-h method to a 6-h method in chronic cancer pain management. ⋯ Excellent safety profile and sustained efficacy are shown for the 6-h conversion method.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2011
Breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema self-care: education, practices, symptoms, and quality of life.
The primary purpose of this study was to cross-sectionally examine breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema self-care education, self-care practices, and perceived self-care barriers, burdens, and benefits. We also explored the associations among self-care education, practices, symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with known lymphedema. ⋯ Opportunities exist to improve lymphedema self-care education. Breast cancer survivors with lymphedema experience symptoms beyond that of simple swelling of the affected limb. Self-care is burdensome. Barriers to providing lymphedema self-care exist and may vary across patients. A multidisciplinary approach to lymphedema management, including self-care education and monitoring, is likely needed to improve QOL in this population.
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To validate the Brazilian version of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-B) scale and to determine the optimal cutpoints for mild, moderate, and severe pain based on patients' rating of their worst pain. ⋯ Our data show that BPI-B is a brief, useful, and valid tool for assessing pain and its impact on patient's life.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudySimulation-based training improves applied clinical placement of ultrasound-guided PICCs.
Skilled placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) has a profound impact on patient well-being and costs of care. The use of ultrasound-guided methods and prescribed training for cannulation skills are evidence-based practice recommendations. The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of PICC instruction on the acquisition of applied skills. ⋯ These results support the use of prescribed simulation-based training for the acquisition of requisite skills associated with PICC placement and expand on similar studies that suggest the advantages of simulation-based training for central line placement. Additionally, the data suggest that training using a single simulation model may support the acquisition of both central venous catheterization and PICC skills.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2011
Impact of colony-stimulating factors to reduce febrile neutropenic events in breast cancer patients receiving docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide chemotherapy.
Data from US Oncology Adjuvant Trial 9735 has shown that four cycles of docetaxel plus cyclophosphamide (TC) improved disease-free and overall survival when compared against doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) in early-stage breast cancer. The febrile neutropenia (FN) rate was 4% in this study without primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) prophylaxis. However, the incidence of docetaxel-induced myelosuppression is recognized to be higher among Asian population. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of G-CSF to reduce FN-related events in Asian cancer patients treated with TC. ⋯ Our findings indicate that TC was associated with higher rates of FN than reported in the clinical trial. The 25% incidence fulfills the requirement of primary prophylaxis with G-CSF. Routine administration of G-CSF is highly recommended to reduce the rates of FN in breast cancer patients receiving TC.