Journal of pain and symptom management
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2013
ReviewDo corticosteroids provide analgesic effects in cancer patients? A systematic literature review.
Corticosteroids are frequently used in cancer patients for their analgesic properties. The evidence for analgesic effects of corticosteroids in palliative care has not been established. ⋯ Corticosteroids may have a moderate analgesic effect in cancer patients. The paucity of relevant studies was striking; consequently, the evidence was graded as "very low." More studies addressing the analgesic efficacy in cancer patients are required.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2013
ReviewPsychosocial effects of cancer cachexia: a systematic literature search and qualitative analysis.
Cancer cachexia is debilitating and affects most patients with advanced cancer. Because treatment options are poor, the psychosocial effects of cancer cachexia always should be assessed and psychosocial support provided. ⋯ The concept of psychosocial effects in cancer cachexia has the potential to sensitize health care professionals to cachexia-related problems and inform their clinical management of the condition.