Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2019
A single-arm, retrospective analysis of the incidence of febrile neutropenia using same-day versus next-day pegfilgrastim in patients with gastrointestinal cancers treated with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI.
Practice patterns of same-day versus next-day pegfilgrastim vary in numerous practice settings across the country. Current utilization with same-day pegfilgrastim reduced overall visits and reduced treatment time for chemotherapy administration. ⋯ Our study results suggest that same-day pegfilgrastim administration may be a safe and effective alternative to 24-h post-chemotherapy administration in patients with esophageal, gastric, appendiceal, or colorectal cancer undergoing treatment with FOLFOX or FOLFIRI.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2019
Clinical TrialThe feasibility of dexamethasone omission in weekly paclitaxel treatment for breast cancer patients.
Patients with breast cancer who receive weekly paclitaxel therapy may experience deleterious effects associated with prophylactic dexamethasone use for 12 consecutive weeks. Approximately 90% of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) occur within the first 10 to 15 min of the first two infusions. We investigated the feasibility of dexamethasone withdrawal between weeks 3 and 12 (W3 and W12) in early stage breast cancer patients treated with weekly paclitaxel at the standard dose (80 mg/m2). ⋯ Dexamethasone withdrawal from W3 to W12 in early stage breast cancer patients treated with weekly paclitaxel is feasible. The incidence of all grades of HSRs was comparable to that reported in trials with dexamethasone for 12 consecutive weeks, and no serious events (G3/G4) occurred. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results which are important, especially for patients for whom corticosteroids are contraindicated.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2019
Priorities for caregiver research in cancer care: an international Delphi survey of caregivers, clinicians, managers, and researchers.
With an increased investment in psychosocial caregiving research, it becomes critical to establish the need for data of key stakeholders and future strategic directions. The purpose of this international Delphi study was to engage caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and managers to identify priority topics for caregiver research in cancer care. ⋯ By establishing a confluence of perspectives around research priorities, this study ensures the interests of key stakeholders are integrated in strategic directions, increasing the likelihood of research capable of influencing practice, education, and policy.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2019
Concept domain validation and item generation for the Treatment-Induced Neuropathy Assessment Scale (TNAS).
Treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) is a difficult problem experienced by patients with cancer that can interfere with their ability to receive optimal therapy. The Treatment-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Scale (TNAS) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure developed to assess TIPN symptom burden. However, PRO validation is an ongoing process. The aim of this qualitative study was to define the conceptual model, establish content domain validity, and refine items for the TNAS based on patient input. ⋯ The assessment of TIPN must be convenient, reliable, and practical for patients, who are the most reliable source of information about symptoms. The TNAS, developed with direct patient input, provides an easily administered and conceptually valid method of patient report of TIPN burden for use in research and practice.
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2019
IMproved MAnagement (IM-MA study) in cancer-related pain: the value of a joint approach by an integrated team of radiotherapist and anesthetist.
Purpose of this study was to retrospectively review our experience of multidisciplinary clinic providing a joint approach by radiation oncologist and anesthetist for patients with cancer pain to evaluate the adequacy and the IMprovement in MAnagement (IM-MA study) of this symptom. ⋯ A multidisciplinary Team for Pain Management improved the clinical management, optimizing pain control and increasing adequacy of pharmacological management. The TPM intervention seems particularly worth for patients presenting specific features including BTcP, neuropathic pain, severe pain due to bone metastases, and any potential candidate to radiotherapy. Larger series and QoL questionnaires are required to confirm these results.