Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
Observational StudyThe use of Instanyl® in the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients: a 3-month observational, prospective, cohort study.
Instanyl® (intranasal fentanyl spray) is a novel treatment for breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer patients. It has shown a rapid onset of pain relief in clinical trials. This study examines the use of Instanyl® in real-life settings. ⋯ In a real-life group of cancer patients with disease progression, Instanyl® was titrated successfully at doses <200 μg in the majority of patients, requiring only one dose, with no further change in maintenance dose. Pain severity, impact of pain on daily life, and treatment satisfaction significantly improved with Instanyl® treatment. No unexpected ADRs occurred.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
Efficacy and tolerability of controlled-release oxycodone for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy and the extension of FOLFOX therapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients.
The oxaliplatin-based regimen FOLFOX is widely used to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, dose-limiting toxicity after continuous oxaliplatin administration can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Several agents, including opioids, that have been employed to treat oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) have been examined in clinical settings regarding their protective and therapeutic effects. However, the pharmacotherapy of these agents has not yet been established. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy and tolerability of oxycodone for OIPN and subsequently with FOLFOX therapy in CRC patients. ⋯ Our findings indicate that CR oxycodone might attenuate the severity of OIPN and extend the use of FOLFOX therapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
The quality of life of Brazilian patients in palliative care: validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 PAL (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).
The purpose of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 PAL (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) to be used in patients with cancer in palliative care. ⋯ Our data show that EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL is a brief, useful, and valid tool for assessing the quality of life of Brazilian patients in palliative care.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Patterns and predictors of symptom incongruence in older couples coping with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer survivors (PCSs) may experience persistent symptoms following treatment. If PCSs and spouses differ in their perceptions of symptoms, that incongruence may cause mismanagement of symptoms and reduced relationship quality. The purpose of this study was to examine symptom incongruence and identify the PCS and spouse characteristics associated with symptom incongruence in older couples coping with prostate cancer. ⋯ This study is among the first to show that PCSs and spouses may perceive cancer-related persistent symptoms differently. Among this older sample, younger PCS age and spouse caregiver strain were associated with incongruence in symptoms perceptions in couples. These and other factors may inform future interventions aimed at preserving relationship quality in older couples who have experienced prostate cancer.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Clinical TrialChlorhexidine for the prevention of bloodstream infection associated with totally implantable venous ports in patients with solid cancers.
To evaluate the preventive effects of topical skin disinfection with chlorhexidine on bloodstream infection (BSI) associated with totally implantable venous port (Port-A). ⋯ Chlorhexidine topical skin disinfection may prevent PABSI caused by Gram-positive bacteria in patients with solid cancers. The nonsignificant effect on preventing overall PABSI may be attributed to the high incidence of Gram-negative bacteria related PABSI.