European journal of cancer care
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Nov 2010
ReviewOncological emergencies: clinical importance and principles of management.
Oncological emergencies are common conditions associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in unfavourable outcomes. Cancer itself, cancer-related hormones or cytokines, or treatment effects can cause emergency problems. ⋯ Localised back pain is the most common presenting symptom while late presentation of neurological deficit is associated with irreversible outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice. Treatment includes corticosteroids, radiotherapy and/or decompressive surgery.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Mar 2007
ReviewFactors predicting the use of complementary and alternative therapies among cancer patients in Iran.
This study was carried out to examine the factors that predicting the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among cancer patients in Tehran, Iran. Predicting factors included were patients' demographic characteristics, type of cancer, the knowledge of diagnosis, time since diagnosis, satisfaction with their care physician, fear of recurrence and measures of anxiety, depression and global quality of life. In total, 625 cancer patients were studied, and 35% (n=219) reported that they used or were using CAM. ⋯ The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that the use of CAM among cancer patients was associated with the fear of cancer recurrence (OR=2.03, 95% CI=1.45-2.85, P<0.0001) and dissatisfaction with their care physician (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.36-2.89, P<0.0001). The results indicate that apart from the prayer and spiritual healing, the use of the other common methods of CAM among Iranian cancer patients is unpopular. However, the findings suggest that the use of CAM is more common among cancer patients who suffer from fears, uncertainties and dissatisfaction, and these might be a marker of greater psychological distress in users as compared with non-users.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Jan 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialLaxative management in ambulatory cancer patients on opioid therapy: a prospective, open-label investigation of polyethylene glycol, sodium picosulphate and lactulose.
Constipation and the laxatives polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium picosulphate (SPS) and lactulose (L) were investigated in outpatients with cancer and on opioid therapy. Randomly selected patients were enrolled in a prospective, controlled, open-label trial. Endpoints were number of patients taking laxatives >28 days, number of patients with a stool-free interval >72 h (sfi72), dosage, numerical rating scale (NRS) for constipation, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life (QoL) questionnaire scores. ⋯ PEG (sfi72 12.6%, NRS 2.2, QoL 2.1) and SPS (sfi72 11.1%, NRS 2.7, QoL 2.2) proved more effective than L (sfi72 15.5%, NRS 3.8, QoL 2.5). In spite of opioid therapy, the incidence of constipation was low in these ambulatory cancer pain patients at an early disease stage. For prevention of constipation, PEG or SPS is recommended instead of L.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Mar 2007
ReviewAnxiety, depression and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: a cross-sectional study in a community hospital outpatient centre.
The purpose of the present study is to determine the impact of illness characteristics and psychopathological comorbidity on the quality of life (QoL) of radio-oncological patients in health-related and individual dimensions. Sixty-three of 93 eligible patients (40 women and 23 men) were included in the study during their radiation therapy visit to an outpatient centre annexed to a community hospital in Southern Bavaria, Germany. In a semi-structured interview, we elicited individually relevant life domains rated by the patients according to the 'Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life - Direct Weighting'. ⋯ Psychopathological comorbidity has a considerable influence on QoL of patients undergoing radiotherapy. Measuring the individual QoL appears as an adapted needs assessment and helps the psychotherapist in focusing on the patient's problems and desires. Furthermore, the patient's QoL is a main target in providing or planning mental health care in non-university oncological services.
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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Mar 2001
ReviewScreening for depression in palliative care patients: a review.
Depression is a significant symptom for 25% of patients admitted to a palliative care unit, but many of these symptoms are not identified and therefore not treated. Reasons for failure to diagnose depression are misconceptions regarding low mood as being a normal part of a terminal illness and also the patients' reluctance to disclose their thoughts and feelings. ⋯ In an effort to improve the detection of depression, many professionals are using rating scales or tools in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment. This review discusses the complex issues of diagnosis of depression and highlights why certain tools may not be so useful or applicable in the palliative care population.