Search results for "Advanced cancer"

Patients' and relatives' perceptions about intravenous and subcutaneous hydration.

2005

Hydration during palliative care is a controversial topic. Most of the arguments are based on anedoctal reports that have not been substantiated with scientific data. Given that the choice is problematic from a clinical perspective, preferences of patients and family should dictate whether intravenous fluids are administered. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and family perceptions about hydration and two modes of providing hydration. Fifty-four consecutive patients admitted to an acute pain relief and palliative care unit who required hydration completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions on hydration and modes of hydration. Similarly, the principal family carer was ch…

Prevalence of opioid-related dysuria in patients with advanced cancer having pain.

2010

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of opioid-induced dysuria in patients with advanced cancer having pain and to evaluate the possible factors associated. A consecutive sample of cancer patients admitted to an acute pain relief and palliative care unit during 8 months was surveyed. Most patients (147, 86.5%) were receiving opioids at admission. The mean age was 65.1 (SD 12.2) and 106 patients were males. Twenty-five patients presented with dysuria at admission (of which 22 were taking opioids, 14.9%). Eleven patients were inserted a bladder catheter at admission for urine monitoring and 18 patients had urinary incontinence. During admission, 31 patients presented dysuria (19…

Pattern and characteristics of advanced cancer patients admitted to hospices in Italy

2013

Abstract The aim of this multicenter study was to assess the pattern and the characteristics of advanced cancer patients admitted to hospices. A consecutive sample of patients admitted in a period of 6 months was taken into consideration. Two hundred thirty-six patients admitted to hospices were consecutively assessed. Ninety-six percent of patients were admitted in acute hospital in the previous 3 months, with a mean time spent in hospital of 34.5 days, and 47 % of patients had received chemotherapy the month before hospice admission. Thirty-four percent of patients for whom data were available had significant persistent pain, and 44 % of them presented episodes of breakthrough pain. Sixty…

Personalized Goal for Dyspnea and Clinical Response in Advanced Cancer Patients

2018

Abstract Background The clinical response after comprehensive symptom management is difficult to determine in terms of a clinically important difference. Moreover, therapies should try to reach the threshold perceived by the individual patient for the determination of a favorable response to a treatment. Measures The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS) was measured at admission (T0), and seven days after starting palliative care (T7). Patient Global Impression and Goal Response after one week of palliative care and its relation with the Personalized Dyspnea Goal were measured at T7. Intervention Patients admitted to palliative care units underwent a comprehensive symptom assessment by …

Episodic Breathlessness with and without Background Dyspnea in Advanced Cancer Patients Admitted to an Acute Supportive Care Unit

2020

Aim: To characterize episodic breathlessness (EB) in patients with advanced cancer, and to determine factors influencing its clinical appearance. Methods: A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to an acute palliative care unit was surveyed. Continuous dyspnea and EB were measured by a numerical scale. The use of drugs used for continuous dyspnea and EB was recorded. Patients were asked about the characteristics of EB (frequency, intensity, duration and triggers). The Multidimensional dyspnea profile (MDP), the Brief dyspnea inventory (BDI), the Athens sleep scale (AIS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also administered. Results: From 439 advanced …

Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer Patients: How and When? And Where?

2012

Eduardo Bruera et al. [1] recently published an exhaustive paper in which they underscore the importance of the integration between oncology and palliative care, suggesting how and when to provide palliative care in advanced cancer patients. We agree that this integrative model allows prompt evaluation and treatment of symptoms, a reduction in costs resulting from inappropriate hospitalization, and better survival outcomes. In their conclusion, Bruera et al. [1] affirm that the two most important resources for palliative care delivery are outpatient palliative care centers and inpatient palliative care units. Although we are on the same wavelength as Bruera et al. [1], we would like to poin…

The use of complementary alternative medicines in advanced cancer patients followed at home

2021

Objectives: To assess the use of complementary alternative medicines (CAM) in advanced cancer patients followed at home. Methods: A consecutive sample of advanced cancer patients admitted to a home palliative care program was invited to participate in the study in a period of two months. Demographic characteristics, religious belief, education level, diagnosis, and socio-economic condition were recorded. Patients were asked about the use of CAM, considered to be a health-related treatment practiced outside the established health services. Information about CAM indications and those who prescribed or suggested CAM were also collected. Results: Two hundred and eighty-three advanced cancer pat…

The diagnosis and management of gastric cancer: Expert discussion and recommendations from the 12th ESMO/World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, B…

2011

Well-recognized experts in the field of gastric cancer discussed during the 12th European Society Medical Oncology (ESMO)/World Congress Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGIC) in Barcelona many important and controversial topics on the diagnosis and management of patients with gastric cancer. This article summarizes the recommendations and expert opinion on gastric cancer. It discusses and reflects on the regional differences in the incidence and care of gastric cancer, the definition of gastro-esophageal junction and its implication for treatment strategies and presents the latest recommendations in the staging and treatment of primary and metastatic gastric cancer. Recognition is given to the ne…

The Quality of Life of Children with Advanced Cancer: The Perspective of Children and Parents.

2018

Attitudes Among Patients With Advanced Cancer Toward Euthanasia and Living Wills

2015

Euthanasia has been invariably discussed throughout Europe. In some countries, euthanasia has been legalized under specific conditions that must be fulfilled. These include a properly reported request to be considered carefully, unbearable suffering, no other reasonable alternatives, and a consultation with an independent physician. A living will, also called an advance directive, is a written document that allows a patient to give explicit instructions about medical treatments to be administered when the patient is terminally ill and unable to communicate. In Italy, euthanasia remains illegal, and living wills are not used. These issues have been the subject of constant debate.2 Such discu…