L. Dirven, J. Koekkoek, J. Reijneveld, M. Taphoorn
{"title":"Health-related quality of life in brain tumor patients: as an endpoint in clinical trials and its value in clinical care","authors":"L. Dirven, J. Koekkoek, J. Reijneveld, M. Taphoorn","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1136793","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1136793","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) plays a role as a (secondary) endpoint in clinical trials for brain tumor patients as well as in daily clinical practice. HRQoL can be classified as a patient-centered endpoint, assessing a direct clinical benefit for the patient. Although HRQoL is a meaningful endpoint because it reflects the patient’s perspective, several methodological concerns raise doubt over the appropriateness of HRQoL as an endpoint in trials. HRQoL could possibly be considered as co-primary endpoint in future trial designs, together with a surrogate endpoint such as progression-free survival, to ensure that both a direct treatment effect and a direct clinical benefit for the patient will be assessed. Routine assessment of HRQoL has proven to be feasible in clinical practice and was found to facilitate the communication between patients and physicians. However, despite discussion of HRQoL issues, so far this did not have an impact on patient management and clinical decisions.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"37 - 44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1136793","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Opioid induced constipation in cancer patients: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment","authors":"A. Rumman, Z. Gallinger, L. Liu","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1131595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1131595","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) has emerged as a major contributor to morbidity in cancer patients. OIC is common, difficult to treat and causes significant reductions in the quality-of-life of cancer patients. It results from opioid action on gut mu-receptors, which leads to the disruption of bowel motility, mucosal transport and defecation reflexes. Laxatives are cornerstone in the management of OIC despite their relatively limited effectiveness and lack of strong evidence supporting their use. In the past few years, novel therapeutics have emerged for the management of OIC. These include; prokinetic agents, peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs), secretagogues and opioid receptor agonist/antagonist combination tablets. This article will review the mechanism of OIC in cancer patients and describe the novel therapeutic options for its prevention and management.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"25 - 35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1131595","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving quality-of-life questionnaires in head and neck cancer","authors":"S. Rogers","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1142357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1142357","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Questionnaires are an established means of quantifying health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following head and neck cancer. Questionnaires have evolved over many decades. Validated measures are now readily available to assess the physical/functional, emotional, and social impact of cancer and its treatment. The purpose of this article is to briefly reflect upon the current position and potential future improvements in questionnaire design and clinical utility. The basis for the observations stem from the literature between 1982 and 2014 as contained at the ‘Handle on QOL’ website. Advances over the next five years will relate to the how, when, where and frequency of questionnaire completion, in addition to improved sophistication of analysis and data presentation, underpinned by the improved use of information technology.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"61 - 71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1142357","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Physical activity and quality of life after colorectal cancer: overview of evidence and future directions","authors":"B. Lynch, E. V. van Roekel, J. Vallance","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1129902","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1129902","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Physical activity has been demonstrated to be a safe, feasible and efficacious intervention to improve quality of life in cancer survivors. For colorectal cancer survivors, specifically, the evidence is less clear. Whilst observational studies suggest that physical activity is positively associated with quality of life in this population, the findings from intervention trials have predominantly been null. Methodological limitations of the intervention trials to date may partially explain these findings. Future research will benefit from the use of objective activity monitoring, which will allow researchers to examine the contributions towards quality of life across the full activity spectrum (from sedentary behaviour to vigorous-intensity physical activity). Future research should also consider effects within population subgroups and study underlying biological mechanisms.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"23 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1129902","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Hahn, E. Segawa, K. Kaiser, D. Cella, Benjamin D. Smith
{"title":"Health-related quality of life among women with ductal carcinoma in situ or early invasive breast cancer: validation of the FACT-B (version 4)","authors":"E. Hahn, E. Segawa, K. Kaiser, D. Cella, Benjamin D. Smith","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1134259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1134259","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) Version 4. Methods: Women ≥ 40 years with DCIS or early invasive breast cancer treated with whole breast irradiation (n=280) completed patient-reported outcome measures at three time points. Results: Most internal consistency reliability coefficients were 0.70 or greater. At baseline and 6 months, mean FACT-B scores were comparable between physician-reported cosmetic outcome subgroups; at 12 months, most scores were higher (better) for the “excellent” cosmesis group compared to “poor/fair/good” (p<0.05). Most mean FACT-B scores were higher for those with Grade 0-1 CTCAE toxicities versus Grade 2-3 (p<0.05). There were medium to large correlations between the FACT-B and the Body Image Scale. Most FACT-B mean scores were significantly different across BIS change groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The FACT-B exhibited good reliability and validity in this sample of 280 women treated for DCIS and early invasive breast cancer.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"109 - 99"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1134259","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Li, Syed Hussaini, Josephine Kang, D. Madoff
{"title":"The role of interventional oncology in the palliative care of cancer patients","authors":"David Li, Syed Hussaini, Josephine Kang, D. Madoff","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1142358","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1142358","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Interventional oncologists have expertise in delivery of state of the art, minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. As such, interventional oncologists are well-suited to provide palliative options for cancer patients, who often have complex comorbidities precluding them from more invasive options. The broad spectrum of procedures developed into clinical practice highlight the integral role of interventional oncology in the palliation of cancer patients. This review will focus on several of the more common procedures performed by interventional oncologists to provide symptomatic relief: 1. Tunneled peritoneal or pleural catheter placement for fluid drainage; Peritoneovenous shunt placement for fluid drainage; 2. Ablation with focus on metastatic bone ablation for pain control; 3. Neurolysis with focus on celiac neurolysis for pain control; 4. Decompressive gastrostomies or cecostomies for gastric and bowel obstruction; 5. Trans-arterial embolization for uncontrolled hemorrhage. A description of each procedure and its relative efficacy in providing palliation will be summarized.","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 1","pages":"73 - 87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1142358","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60122336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Larissa Meyer, Rudy Suidan, Charlotte Sun, Shannon Westin, Robert L Coleman, Gordon B Mills
{"title":"The management of malignant ascites and impact on quality of life outcomes in women with ovarian cancer.","authors":"Larissa Meyer, Rudy Suidan, Charlotte Sun, Shannon Westin, Robert L Coleman, Gordon B Mills","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1185369","DOIUrl":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1185369","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malignant ascites is one of the most common sequela of epithelial ovarian cancer. It causes significant symptoms and can have a detrimental impact on patient quality of life, especially in women with recurrent ovarian cancer. The management of symptomatic ascites consists of both mechanical treatments that aim to drain the peritoneal cavity, and medical therapies that prevent and diminish the development of ascites. Mechanical options include serial paracentesis, peritoneal catheters, and peritoneovenous shunts. Pharmaceutical treatments include diuretics, angiogenesis inhibitors, and other targeted agents. There is a perception, without formal analysis, that intractable ascites is less common in the taxane era of therapy. In this review paper, we highlight current and emerging therapeutic strategies, complications and contraindications, and their effects on patient quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 3","pages":"231-238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6425954/pdf/nihms803655.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37086382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Etiology and management of radiotherapy-induced fatigue.","authors":"Chao-Pin Hsiao, Barbara Daly, Leorey N Saligan","doi":"10.1080/23809000.2016.1191948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23809000.2016.1191948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fatigue is one of the most common side-effects accompanying radiotherapy, but arguably the least understood. Radiotherapy-induced fatigue (RIF) is a clinical subtype of cancer treatment-related fatigue. It is described as a pervasive, subjective sense of tiredness persisting over time, interferes with activities of daily living, and is not relieved by adequate rest or sleep. RIF is one of the early side-effects and long-lasting for cancer patients treated with localized radiation. Although the underlying mechanisms of fatigue have been studied in several disease conditions, the etiology, mechanisms, and risk factors of RIF remain elusive, and this symptom remains poorly managed. The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss recent articles that defined, proposed biologic underpinnings and mechanisms to explain the pathobiology of RIF, as well as articles that proposed interventions to manage RIF. Understanding the mechanisms of RIF can describe promising pathways to identify at-risk individuals and identify potential therapeutic targets to alleviate and prevent RIF using a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":91681,"journal":{"name":"Expert review of quality of life in cancer care","volume":"1 4","pages":"323-328"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/23809000.2016.1191948","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36005728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}