Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2014
Fatigue scores in patients with brain metastases receiving whole brain radiotherapy.
Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a treatment strategy used commonly to relieve burdensome symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple brain metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine changes in fatigue score following WBRT as it is a common symptom experienced in this population. ⋯ Fatigue was significantly increased from baseline to month 1 in all patients, and most patients experienced no difference in fatigue if they were receiving Dx. Increased fatigue was significantly related with decreased overall QOL.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2014
Safety and pharmacokinetic evaluation of repeated intravenous administration of palonosetron 0.75 mg in patients receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy.
The aims of this study were to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of repeated doses of palonosetron 0.75 mg on days 1 and 3 in Japanese patients who received highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. ⋯ This is the first study to report the pharmacokinetics of multiple doses of palonosetron 0.75 mg, given on days 1 and 3, in Japanese patients. Repeated treatment with palonosetron was safe and well tolerated by patients who received highly or moderately emetogenic anticancer chemotherapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2014
Quality of life and symptoms in patients with malignant diseases admitted to a comprehensive cancer centre.
Quality of life and symptomatology in patients with malignancies admitted to comprehensive cancer centres are rarely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate symptomatology and health-related quality of life of inpatients with cancer. ⋯ Patients in the wards of haematology and oncology had pronounced symptomatology and low quality of life. A more systematic focus on the amelioration of problems with functioning and symptoms among inpatients with malignant diseases is warranted.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2014
Screening for substance abuse risk in cancer patients using the Opioid Risk Tool and urine drug screen.
The use of opioids for management of cancer-related pain has increased significantly and has been associated with a substantial rise in rates of substance abuse and diversion. There is a paucity of data not only on the prevalence of substance abuse in cancer patients, but also for issues of drug use and diversion in family caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of risk factors for substance abuse and diversion, and abnormal urine drug screens in cancer patients receiving palliative care. ⋯ Opioids are an effective treatment for cancer-related pain, yet substantial risk for substance abuse exits in the cancer population. Screening tools, such as the Opioid Risk Tool, should be used as part of a complete patient assessment to balance risk with appropriate relief of suffering.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2014
A cross-sectional study on prevalence of pain and breakthrough pain among an unselected group of outpatients in a tertiary cancer clinic.
Systematic knowledge about the prevalence and the treatment effects of cancer pain in patients attending a general oncology outpatient department is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of pain in a large representative cohort of patients attending a general oncology outpatient department in order to guide further screening, classification, and treatment of pain. ⋯ Of the patients at an oncology outpatient clinic, 22% reported clinically significant pain. These findings indicate that all patients are candidates to be screened for pain and, if present, a more detailed pain diagnosis should be established before any interventions can be recommended.