0000000000249330
AUTHOR
Carlo Arcara
Breakthrough pain in oncology: A longitudinal study
Abstract Context Existing studies on breakthrough pain (BP) have reported different prevalence rates because of different settings, populations, and assessment methods. These studies have used cross-sectional designs, and the relationship of BP with analgesic treatment has not been evaluated. Objectives The aim of this study was to longitudinally assess BP in cancer patients admitted to oncology units. Methods A consecutive sample of patients admitted to oncology centers was selected. At admission (T0), three months after admission (T3), and six months after admission (T6), data on background pain and BP were recorded. BP was assessed in terms of its intensity, duration, number of episodes,…
The Persistance of Residual Vein Thrombosis, after an Episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis, and the Risk of New Overt Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease
Background. We have recently demonstrated that the presence of Residual Vein Thrombosis (RVT), UltraSonography (US)-detected at the 3rd month after an episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs, is an independent risk factor for developing recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). The management of DVT patients by detection of RVT may, therefore, represent a simple and reproducible method for establishing the individual risk of recurrence and for tailoring the optimal duration of Oral Anticoagulants (OA) (Siragusa S et al. Blood 2003;102(11):OC183a). At the present, it is unknown whether RVT may also identify patients at increased risk for cancer and/or cardiovascular disease (C…
Clinical results of EGFR-targeted therapies in advanced colorectal cancer
Abstract This paper is an updated review of the pre-clinical rationale and clinical results of new EGFR-targeted agents – cetuximab and panitumumab – employed in the management of advanced/ metastatic colorectal cancer. The addition of either biologic agent or last generation standard chemotherapy regimens – FOLFIRI and FOLFOX – has yielded better results as compared to those reported for chemotherapy alone. These results have been obtained without a significant increase in severe toxicity with the exception of skin side-effects.
Morphine versus oxycodone in pancreatic cancer pain: a randomized controlled study.
Objective: According to experimental findings, oxycodone (OX) could have some advantages over morphine (MO) in clinical models of visceral pain. It was hypothesized that OX could have some advantages over MO in terms of efficacy and dose escalation in pancreatic cancer pain. Methods: Sixty patients with pancreatic cancer with a pain intensity rating of 4/10 who required opioids were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive 30mg/d of sustained release oral MO or sustained release oral OX (20mg/d). Opioid doses were increased according to the clinical needs. Daily doses of opioids, pain and symptom intensity were recorded at admission (T0) and at weekly intervals for the sub…
A case of squamocellular uterine cervix carcinoma metastatic to the skin with enterocutaneous fistula.
Metastases to the skin complicated by enterocutaneous fistula are a rare event in gynecological malignancies. We present the case of a 70-year-old woman with uterine cervix carcinoma metastatic to the skin and treated with surgery and radiotherapy. The last relapse to the skin was complicated by the formation of an enterocutaneous fistula. This low-output fistula was treated with surgery and adequate supportive care. The treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas may be either invasive (surgical resection, surgical repair with corrective procedures or with myocutaneous flaps, colonic and/or urinary diversion, endoscopic treatments with metallic stents) or conservative (skin care and local disin…
Irinotecan Plus Bolus/Infusional 5-Fluorouracil and Leucovorin in Patients With Pretreated Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma
Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer failing gemcitabine-based first-line chemotherapy are still in relatively good clinical conditions and may still require second-line chemotherapy, which is frequently administered in daily clinical practice given to without solid scientific support.A retrospective survey was carried out including 40 patients with stage III or IV gemcitabine-refractory pancreatic carcinoma. Patients received standard FOLFIRI regimen biweekly until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors and National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria were employed respectively for response and toxicity assessment.Six partial responses …