Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
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Because of cancer's high symptom burden and specific disease course, patients with cancer are more likely than other patients to face end-of-life decisions that have possible or certain life-shortening effects (ELDs). This study examines the incidence of ELDs in patients with cancer compared with patients without cancer and the trends in ELD incidence from 1998-2007. ⋯ The higher ELD incidence in patients with cancer compared with those without is probably related to differences in disease trajectories and access to end-of-life care. During the period from 1998 to 2007, when euthanasia was legalized and palliative care intensified, overall ELDs increased, including those as a result of symptom alleviation and euthanasia, with a decrease in life-ending acts without explicit request.
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To develop an evidence-based guideline on central venous catheter (CVC) care for patients with cancer that addresses catheter type, insertion site, and placement as well as prophylaxis and management of both catheter-related infection and thrombosis. ⋯ There is insufficient evidence to recommend one CVC type or insertion site; femoral catheterization should be avoided. CVC should be placed by well-trained providers, and the use of a CVC clinical care bundle is recommended. The use of antimicrobial/antiseptic-impregnated and/or heparin-impregnated CVCs is recommended to decrease the risk of catheter-related infections for short-term CVCs, particularly in high-risk groups; more research is needed. The prophylactic use of systemic antibiotics is not recommended before insertion. Data are not sufficient to recommend for or against routine use of antibiotic flush/lock therapy; more research is needed. Before starting antibiotic therapy, cultures should be obtained. Some life-threatening infections require immediate catheter removal, but most can be treated with antimicrobial therapy while the CVC remains in place. Routine flushing with saline is recommended. Prophylactic use of warfarin or low-molecular weight heparin is not recommended, although a tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is recommended to restore patency to occluded catheters. CVC removal is recommended when the catheter is no longer needed or if there is a radiologically confirmed thrombosis that worsens despite anticoagulation therapy.
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T-cell-replete grafts from haploidentical donors using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide may represent a solution for patients who require allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) but lack a conventional donor. We compared outcomes of alloHCT using haploidentical donors with those of transplantation using conventional HLA-matched sibling donors (MRDs) and HLA-matched unrelated donors (MUDs). ⋯ Haploidentical transplantation performed using T-cell-replete grafts and post-transplantation cyclophosphamide achieves outcomes equivalent to those of contemporaneous transplantation performed using MRDs and MUDs. Such transplantation represents a valid alternative for patients who lack a conventional donor.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan plus either sunitinib or placebo in metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomized, phase III trial.
This double-blind, phase III study aimed to demonstrate that sunitinib plus FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan) was superior to placebo plus FOLFIRI in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). ⋯ Sunitinib 37.5 mg per day (schedule 4/2) plus FOLFIRI is not superior to FOLFIRI alone and has a poorer safety profile. This combination regimen is not recommended for previously untreated mCRC.