Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2014
ReviewThe end-of-life phase of high-grade glioma patients: a systematic review.
High-grade gliomas (HGG) are rare and incurable; yet, these neoplasms result in a disproportionate share of cancer morbidity and mortality. Treatment of HGG patients is directed not merely towards prolonging life but also towards quality of life, which becomes the major goal in the end of life (EOL). The latter has received increasing attention over the last decade. ⋯ The EOL phase of HGG is substantially different from other patient groups, and more clinical studies in HGG on supportive medication, advance care planning and decision making are required. The organization of care, development of guidelines and interventions to decrease caregiver burden in the EOL phase are critical as well.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2014
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA prospective, open-label, multicenter study of the clinical efficacy of extended-release hydromorphone in treating cancer pain inadequately controlled by other analgesics.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether extended-release hydromorphone (osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system [OROS] hydromorphone) treatment provided pain relief in cancer patients whose pain was inadequately controlled by other analgesics. ⋯ This study suggested that active pain management using the strong opioid OROS hydromorphone was beneficial in the management of cancer pain that was not controlled by other analgesics.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2014
Psychometric evaluation of the Sibling Cancer Needs Instrument (SCNI): an instrument to assess the psychosocial unmet needs of young people who are siblings of cancer patients.
The current study sought to establish the psychometric properties of the revised Sibling Cancer Needs Instrument (SCNI) when completed by young people who have a brother or sister with cancer. ⋯ The SCNI is the first measure of psychosocial unmet needs which has been developed for young people who have a brother or sister with cancer. The sound psychometric properties allow the instrument to be used with confidence. The measure will provide a substantial clinical benefit in highlighting the unmet needs of this population to assist with the prioritisation of targeted supportive care services and evaluating the impact of interventions targeted at siblings.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2014
The sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer: the view of patients, partners, and health care professionals.
Sexual dysfunction among patients with colorectal cancer is frequently reported. Studies examining patients' sexual health care needs are rare. We examined the sexual health care needs after colorectal cancer treatment according to patients, partners, and health care professionals (HCPs). Factors that impede or facilitate the quality of this care were identified. ⋯ Our findings illustrate the need for patient-tailored sexual health care and the complexity of providing/receiving this care. An adequate referral system and training are needed to help HCPs engage in providing satisfactory sexual health care.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2014
The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) as a screening tool for depression and anxiety in non-advanced patients with solid or haematological malignancies on cure or follow-up.
Symptoms' assessment should be considered a clinical practice routine in all cancer stages. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a ten-item patient-rated symptom assessment developed and validated for population affected by cancer in different languages and cultures. The main objective of this study was to assess the performance of ESAS items on anxiety and depression when detecting Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) 'cases'. ⋯ Anxiety or depression ESAS items score >3 can be applied as a useful, easy and not time consuming screening tool for assessing anxiety and depression in non-advanced patients with solid or haematological malignancies.