European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomised, controlled trial of the psychological effects of reflexology in early breast cancer.
To conduct a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of reflexology on quality of life (QofL) in women with early breast cancer. ⋯ When compared to SIS, reflexology and massage have statistically significant, and, for reflexology, clinically worthwhile, effects on QofL following surgery for early breast carcinoma.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Dose-intensified epirubicin versus standard-dose epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by CMF in breast cancer patients with 10 or more positive lymph nodes: results of a randomised trial (GABG-IV E-93) - the German Adjuvant Breast Cancer Group.
To compare dose-intensified epirubicin monotherapy with a standard sequential regimen, patients with primary breast cancer and > or =10 involved axillary nodes were randomised to either four 21-day cycles of epirubicin 120 mg/m(2) (E120; n=202) or four 21-day cycles of epirubicin 90 mg/m(2) plus cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) (EC) followed by three 28-day cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF; n=209). Simultaneous hormonal treatment was applied in both arms. ⋯ E120 was as effective as EC-CMF with regard to EFS (hazard ratio [HR] for E120 versus EC-CMF 1.04; 95% CI, 0.79-1.36; p=0.79) and overall survival (HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.77-1.46; p=0.72). The data demonstrate that 4 cycles of dose-intensified epirubicin monotherapy can be as effective as 7 cycles of standard sequential polychemotherapy in high-risk breast cancer patients with > or =10 positive lymph nodes, despite treatment with a single agent and a shorter treatment duration.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Sequential high-dose chemotherapy for children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.
The RMS4.99 study was designed to explore the role of multiple sequential high-dose chemotherapy cycles administered early in the treatment of children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. ⋯ Our study confirms that patients with favourable prognostic characteristics have a better survival. The use of sequential cycles of high-dose chemotherapy did not appear of benefit for patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Multicenter Study
Cardiac or cardiopulmonary transplantation in childhood cancer survivors: an increasing need?
Childhood cancer patients now have an excellent survival rate. Anthracyclines and radiation have contributed to this success, unfortunately at a cost. Both modalities are cardiotoxic and in some cases this is fatal unless treated by cardiac transplantation. ⋯ Cardiac transplantation is a realistic option for cancer survivors, with survival rates comparable with those of other cardiac recipients. This study demonstrates that, over three decades, there has been an increased requirement for cardiac transplantation among childhood cancer survivors. Future planning for long term survivors needs to take this into account.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Cost comparison study of two different follow-up protocols after surgery for oesophageal cancer.
Costs of follow-up strategies in patients after surgery for oesophageal cancer have not been evaluated. We therefore randomised 109 patients to standard outpatient clinic follow-up by a surgeon (n=55) or home visits by a specialist nurse (n=54) and compared costs between these two strategies. ⋯ Nurse-led follow-up of patients after oesophageal cancer surgery is likely to be cost effective and may even generate cost savings. The results of this study further support a specific role of nurses in the medical care of patients with malignant diseases.