33 research outputs found
Cancer-related neuropathic pain in out-patient oncology clinics: a European survey
BACKGROUND: Although pain is frequently experienced by patients with cancer, it remains under-treated. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CRNP) in patients with chronic pain who attended an outpatient clinic for standard care in Europe (irrespective of the reason or stage of the cancer). The secondary aims of this study were to characterise pain and cancer in patients with CRNP (including treatment) and to evaluate the usefulness of the painDETECT (PD-Q) screening tool to help physicians identify a potential neuropathic component of cancer-related pain. METHODS: An observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional, multi-centre study of adult patients with cancer using patient and physician case report forms (CRFs). Patients with CRNP were identified by physicians’ clinical assessments after examining the completed PD-Q. RESULTS: A total of 951 patients visiting outpatient clinics across Europe were enrolled in this study between August 2010 and July 2011. Of these, 310 patients (32.60%; 95% confidence interval 29.62, 35.58) were identified as having CRNP. Twenty-nine of 39 (74.4%) physicians who completed the CRF relating to the PD-Q considered it a useful tool to help detect CRNP in daily practice and 28 of 39 (71.8%) indicated that they would use this tool in the future for most or some of their patients. Data from physicians before and after review of the completed PD-Qs showed a shift in clinical opinion (either to positive CRNP diagnosis [yes] or negative CRNP diagnosis [no]) in respect of 142 patients; about half of which (74) were categorised with an initial diagnosis of unknown. Opinions also shifted from a no to a yes diagnosis in 10 patients and from a yes to a no diagnosis in 51 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of adults with cancer experiencing chronic pain attending outpatient clinics as part of routine care were considered to have CRNP in the opinion of the physicians after considering scores on the PD-Q. While physicians did not consider the PD-Q to be a useful tool for all patients, shifts in diagnosis before and after the use of this tool indicate that it may help physicians identify CRNP, especially where there is initial uncertainty
Gene expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and microtubule-associated protein Tau in high-risk early breast cancer: a quest for molecular predictors of treatment benefit in the context of a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group trial
The prognostic and predictive value of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor family members in breast cancer: a study in primary tumors of high-risk early breast cancer patients participating in a randomized Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group trial
Correlation of in vitro cytotoxicity and clinical response to chemotherapy in ovarian and breast cancer patients.
Two cycles of etoposide/cisplatin cured all patients with stage I testicular seminoma: Risk-adapted protocol of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group
OBJECTIVES Adjuvant carboplatin is used as adjuvant therapy in Stage I
testicular seminoma. Although cure is the rule, relapses still occur,
especially in high-risk populations. We report the results of a
risk-adapted strategy by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.
METHODS From 1996 to 2003, 64 patients with Stage I seminoma and one of
two risk factors (maximal tumor diameter greater than 4 cm and/or age
younger than 34 years) were prospectively included in a protocol of
adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment consisted of two 3-week courses of
etoposide 120 mg/m(2) and cisplatin 40 mg/m(2) for three consecutive
days with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support.
RESULTS Of the 64 patients, 43 (67%) were younger than 34 years and 55
(86%) had a tumor diameter greater than 4 cm. Neutropenia and nausea
and vomiting were the most frequent grade 3 or 4 toxicities (16.5% and
9.5%, respectively), apart from alopecia. After a median follow-up of
60 months (range 7 to 118), no disease relapses have occurred. A
metachronous testicular carcinoma has been reported. One patient died of
causes unrelated to his disease.
CONCLUSIONS The results of our study have shown that two cycles of
etoposide and cisplatin is an effective and safe form of adjuvant
therapy for Stage I testicular seminoma. Risk factors can be used to
identify patients who could benefit from etoposide and cisplatin
treatment