Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
-
Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Observational StudyLate effects of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (LEON)--cross-sectional cohort study of patients with colorectal cancer surviving at least 2 years.
Oxaliplatin accumulates in dorsal root ganglia, causing an axonal neuronopathy. Symptoms include numbness, pain and gait disturbance which may persist and impact on quality of life (QOL). Despite widespread use of this drug, its late effects and patient satisfaction outcomes have not been widely reported. Furthermore, there has been limited qualitative research published in this area. The objectives of this study were to establish the incidence and clinical impact of chronic peripheral neuropathy. ⋯ Many patients objectively demonstrated mild to moderate oxaliplatin neuropathy >2 years post-treatment. The majority of patients did not recall being warned of the risks of chronic peripheral neuropathy. Many of those who recall being warned did not feel sufficient emphasis was placed on the issue. Despite a varying burden of neuropathic symptoms, the majority of patients were highly satisfied with their decision to receive oxaliplatin.
-
Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Side effects of analgesia may significantly reduce quality of life in symptomatic multiple myeloma: a cross-sectional prevalence study.
Pain is a common symptom in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Many patients are dependent on analgesics and in particular opioids, but there is limited information on the impact of these drugs and their side effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). ⋯ This study provides, for the first time, evidence that side effects of analgesics are common in symptomatic MM and may result in a statistically and clinically significant reduction of self-reported HRQoL.
-
Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Attitudes of oncologists towards palliative care and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at an Ontario cancer center in Canada.
Cancer Care Ontario promotes the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) for standardized systematic screening and assessment of symptoms across cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. Attitudes of medical oncologists (MOs), radiation oncologists (ROs), and general practitioners in oncology (GPOs) toward palliative care, and the ESAS were surveyed in Ottawa. ⋯ MOs and GPOs appear more positive than ROs toward regular use of ESAS. There is discordance between what is perceived to be a useful beneficial instrument versus actual use of the instrument in daily practice. The reasons for this gap need to be better understood in future studies.