Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
The quality of life of Brazilian patients in palliative care: validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 PAL (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).
The purpose of this study was to validate the Brazilian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 PAL (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) to be used in patients with cancer in palliative care. ⋯ Our data show that EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL is a brief, useful, and valid tool for assessing the quality of life of Brazilian patients in palliative care.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
Observational StudyThe use of Instanyl® in the treatment of breakthrough pain in cancer patients: a 3-month observational, prospective, cohort study.
Instanyl® (intranasal fentanyl spray) is a novel treatment for breakthrough pain (BTP) in cancer patients. It has shown a rapid onset of pain relief in clinical trials. This study examines the use of Instanyl® in real-life settings. ⋯ In a real-life group of cancer patients with disease progression, Instanyl® was titrated successfully at doses <200 μg in the majority of patients, requiring only one dose, with no further change in maintenance dose. Pain severity, impact of pain on daily life, and treatment satisfaction significantly improved with Instanyl® treatment. No unexpected ADRs occurred.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
Efficacy and tolerability of controlled-release oxycodone for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy and the extension of FOLFOX therapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients.
The oxaliplatin-based regimen FOLFOX is widely used to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, dose-limiting toxicity after continuous oxaliplatin administration can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Several agents, including opioids, that have been employed to treat oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) have been examined in clinical settings regarding their protective and therapeutic effects. However, the pharmacotherapy of these agents has not yet been established. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy and tolerability of oxycodone for OIPN and subsequently with FOLFOX therapy in CRC patients. ⋯ Our findings indicate that CR oxycodone might attenuate the severity of OIPN and extend the use of FOLFOX therapy.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
Review Meta AnalysisEfficacy and safety of palonosetron for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Palonosetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist (5-HT(3)RA) with a strong binding affinity and long half-life, has been used in numerous trials for the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). We systematically reviewed the efficacy and safety of palonosetron compared to other 5-HT(3)RAs in CINV prophylaxis. ⋯ Palonosetron is safer and more efficacious than other 5-HT(3)RAs. Future antiemetic guidelines should discuss the merits of including palonosetron as a first-line treatment.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2014
A prospective study of gastrointestinal radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects from radiotherapy that can interfere with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). A prospective study among patients with GI cancers was conducted to document the timing, incidence and risk factors of radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV). ⋯ RINV worsened QOL and was experienced even after treatment was completed; physicians should therefore be cognizant and monitor patients in the week following radiotherapy. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy should potentially be included in the moderate emetogenic risk category.