Gan to kagaku ryoho. Cancer & chemotherapy
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The National Cancer Center Japan started to provide free, computer-based cancer information, through a service called the National Cancer Center--Cancer Information Service (NCC-CIS), to patients and their families, physicians and other health professionals via fax (telephone) and the Internet in 1996. NCC-CIS in Japanese is modeled on the Physician Data Query service produced by the National Cancer Institute in the United States and is produced from an independent standpoint adopted to the medical and social environment in Japan. NCC-CIS provides up-to-date cancer treatment information (staging, prognosis and state-of-the-art treatment by stage of disease), supportive care for each type of cancer, an image reference database, and a directory of organizations and lecture meeting reports in Japan in order to facilitate better understanding of cancer among people and support the decision-making process for physicians in order to achieve a reduction in cancer deaths.
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Gan To Kagaku Ryoho · Apr 2000
Clinical Trial[Effects of oral 5-HT3 antagonists on chemotherapy-induced emesis in patients with gynecologic cancers].
The efficacy of an intravenous 5-HT3 antagonist (granisetron) and four oral 5-HT3 antagonists (granisetron, ondansetron, tropisetron and ramosetron) on chemotherapy-induced emesis were investigated in 21 gynecologic cancer patients (63 courses). The severity of emesis after chemotherapy was classified in 4 grades (0: none, 1: slight loss of appetite, 2: severe loss of appetite, but tolerable, and 3: untolerable). The effect of 5-HT3 antagonists was judged by both the score for the severity of the emesis and the frequency of vomiting. ⋯ However, they were ineffective for CAP (cisplatin + adriamycin + cyclophosphamide) therapy. From these results, oral 5-HT3 antagonists were proved to have a sufficient anti emetic effect after chemotherapy in cases of JT or T therapy. However, in cases of CAP therapy, intravenous 5-HT3 antagonists were thought to be preferable for the control of emesis due to chemotherapy.
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Gan To Kagaku Ryoho · Mar 2000
[Chronological observation of nausea and vomiting in outpatients given oral antimetabolites as chemotherapy--two patients receiving ondansetron hydrochloride tablets].
The incidence of nausea and vomiting or anorexia was investigated in 16 outpatients receiving oral antimetabolites such as 5-FU (fluorouracil) as chemotherapy, during a maximum observation period of 28 days. In those patients who experienced the above symptoms which meet the standard defined in the study protocol, ondansetron hydrochloride tablets in a 4 mg/day dose were given based on the decision of the physician in charge, and its efficacy in those patients was examined. Nausea and emesis or anorexia was observed in six cases (37.5%) during the period of observation. ⋯ In two of the cases, anorexia improved after ondansetron tablets were administered. No adverse drug reaction was reported with ondansetron tablets. We conclude that although antimetabolites have low emetogenicity, as anorexia appeared in approximately 30% of the patients, the use of ondansetron tablets or other antiemetics should be considered in order to maintain patients' QOL and drug compliance.
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Gan To Kagaku Ryoho · Jan 2000
Review[A summary report of response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST criteria)].
The World Health Organization definitions for objective tumor response published in the 1979 WHO Handbook have been the most commonly used criteria around the world. However, some problems developed with the use of WHO criteria. ⋯ A revised version of the WHO criteria, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST criteria), was published in 1999 to deal with these issues. However, some problems concerning the evaluation of non-cytotoxic drugs and unidimensional measurements remain in the new criteria.
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There is often little foundation for decisions in experience-based or impression-based medicine. Therapy, however, should be based on the highest level of available evidence. In many clinical cancer practices, "uncertainty" exists. ⋯ There is no combination therapy including a new anti-cancer agent which can be recommended as a "gold standard". There is no current evidence that either confirms or refutes non-platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Second line chemotherapy Second line chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2) improves survival in patients previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.