Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2017
Do-not-resuscitate consent signed by patients indicates a more favorable quality of end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer.
Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) consent is crucial in end-of-life (EOL) care for patients with advanced cancer. However, DNR consents signed by patients (DNR-P) and surrogates (DNR-S) reflect differently on patient autonomy and awareness. ⋯ The DNR concept is emerging; however, the DNR-P percentage remains low (35.6 %) in patients with advanced cancer. DNR-P significantly improves the EOL care quality.
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This study sought to validate for the first time a brief screening measure for religious/spiritual (R/S) distress given the Commission on Cancer's mandated screening for psychosocial distress including spiritual distress. ⋯ While no single-item screener was acceptable using our pre-specified sensitivity value of 85 %, the simultaneous use of meaning/joy and self-described struggle items among cancer survivors is currently the best choice to briefly screen for R/S distress. Future research should validate this and other approaches in active treatment cancer patients and survivors and determine the best times to screen.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2017
Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF) in the management of neutropenia induced by anthracyclines and ifosfamide in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (NEUSAR).
Anthracycline and ifosfamide-based chemotherapy represents a widely used regimen both in early and advanced settings in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Prophylaxis with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) reduces the severity of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of biosimilar G-CSF in these patients. ⋯ Biosimilar G-CSF was effective in preventing FN and in reducing the need for hospitalization in STS patients undergoing EI treatment. It also proved comparable to its reference products from both a clinical and cost-effective standpoint.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomised, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of an oral B group vitamin in preventing the development of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating side effect resulting from neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of an oral B group vitamin compared to placebo, in preventing the incidence of CIPN in cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. ⋯ An oral B group vitamin as an adjunct to neurotoxic chemotherapy regimens was not superior to placebo (p > 0.05) for the prevention of CIPN. Patients taking the B group vitamin perceived a reduction in sensory peripheral neuropathy in the PNQ. Moreover, a robust clinical study is warranted given that vitamin B12 may show potential in reducing the onset and severity of CIPN. Trial number: ACTRN12611000078954 Protocol number: UH2010000749.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2017
Impact of outpatient palliative care (PC) on symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer at a tertiary cancer center in Jordan.
Outpatient palliative care clinics are essential for early symptom management in patients with advanced cancer. Few outpatient programs are available in the Middle East. In this prospective study, we examined the symptom changes among cancer patients seen at a palliative care clinic in Jordan. ⋯ Our outpatient palliative care consultation was associated with improvement in ESAS, particularly for patients who presented with moderate to severe symptoms. Further studies are needed to examine predictors of symptom response, longer term outcomes, and how to improve access to outpatient palliative care in the Middle East.