scholarly journals Rhus vernicifluaStokes against Advanced Cancer: A Perspective from the Korean Integrative Cancer Center

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woncheol Choi ◽  
Hyunsik Jung ◽  
Kyungsuk Kim ◽  
Sookyung Lee ◽  
Seongwoo Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Herbal Extract ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Compound Screening ◽  
Knowledge Of Cancer

Active anticancer molecules have been searched from natural products; many drugs were developed from either natural products or their derivatives following the conventional pharmaceutical paradigm of drug discovery. However, the advances in the knowledge of cancer biology have led to personalized medicine using molecular-targeted agents which create new paradigm. Clinical benefit is dependent on individual biomarker and overall survival is prolonged through cytostatic rather than cytotoxic effects to cancer cell. Therefore, a different approach is needed from the single lead compound screening model based on cytotoxicity. In our experience, theRhus vernicifluastoke (RVS) extract traditionally used for cancer treatment is beneficial to some advanced cancer patients though it is herbal extract not single compound, and low cytotoxic in vitro. The standardized RVS extract's action mechanisms as well as clinical outcomes are reviewed here. We hope that these preliminary results would stimulate different investigation in natural products from conventional chemicals.

scholarly journals Changes in fatigue, barriers, and predictors towards physical activity in advanced cancer patients over a period of 12 months—a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Frikkel ◽  
M. Beckmann ◽  
N. De Lazzari ◽  
M. Götte ◽  
S. Kasper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) is recommended to improve advanced cancer patients’ (ACP) physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Yet, little is known about ACPs’ attitude towards PA and its influence on fatigue and depressiveness over a longer period. This prospective, non-interventional cohort study examined ACPs’ fatigue, depression, motivation, and barriers towards PA before and after 12 months of treatment among ACP Methods Outpatients with incurable cancer receiving treatment at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe weakness/tiredness during self-assessment via MIDOS II were enrolled. Fatigue (FACT-F), depression (PHQ-8), cancer-related parameters, self-assessed PA behavior, motivation for and barriers against PA were evaluated (T0). Follow-up data was acquired after 12 months (T1) using the same questionnaire. Results At follow-up, fatigue (p=0.017) and depressiveness (p=0.015) had increased in clinical relevant extent. Physically active ACP did not show significant progress of FACT-F (p=0.836) or PHQ-8 (p=0.799). Patient-reported barriers towards PA remained stable. Logistic regression analyses identified motivation as a positive predictor for PA at both time points (T0, β=2.152, p=0.017; T1, β =2.264, p=0.009). Clinically relevant depression was a negative predictor for PA at T0 and T1 (T0, β=−3.187, p=0.044; T1, β=−3.521, p=0.041). Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of psychological conditions in physical activity behavior of ACP. Since psychological conditions seem to worsen over time, early integration of treatment is necessary. By combining therapy approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in interdisciplinary care programs, the two treatment options might reinforce each other and sustainably improve ACPs’ fatigue, physical functioning, and QoL. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials, DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.05.2017

Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Patients with Advanced Cancer

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
William S. Breitbart ◽  
Shannon R. Poppito
Keyword(s):  
Group Psychotherapy ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Expression Of Emotion ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
The Face ◽  
Desire For Death

The importance of spiritual well-being and the role of "meaning" in moderating depression, hopelessness and desire for death in terminally-ill cancer and AIDS patients has been well-supported by research, and has led many palliative clinicians to focus on the development of non-pharmacologic interventions that can help their patients address these issues. Individual Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (IMCP), an intervention developed and rigorously tested by the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is a seven-week program based around the work of Viktor Frankl, and which utilizes a mixture of didactics, discussion and experiential exercises that focus around particular themes related to meaning and advanced cancer. Patients are assigned readings and homework that are specific to each session's theme and which are utilized in each session. While the focus of each session is on issues of meaning and purpose in life in the face of advanced cancer and a limited prognosis, elements of support and expression of emotion are inevitable in the context of each group session.

Let’s chat: Piloting an approach to patient-caregiver goal discussions in a neuro-oncology clinic.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 28-28
Author(s):  
Maija Reblin ◽  
Dana Ketcher ◽  
Jennifer M. Taber ◽  
Kristin G Cloyes ◽  
Brian R Baucom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Dyadic Coping ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Dyadic Communication ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Patient Participant ◽  
Study Participants

28 Background: Communication is important to fostering joint coping in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Joint goal setting has been shown to enhance relationship quality for dyads and increase interpersonal ease and connection. Often patients and caregivers indicate they wish to discuss issues together but have difficulty doing so, which can inhibit dyadic coping and achievement of treatment goals and interpersonal plans. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and describe the methods of a short, one-time goal communication intervention for neuro-oncology patients and their primary family caregivers. Methods: Participants were recruited from a neuro-oncology clinic at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. After informed consent from both patient and caregiver, the dyad was taken to a private room to complete a demographic questionnaire, eight-minute self-directed dyadic discussion of goals, and post-discussion questionnaire. For the discussion, dyads were asked to create and discuss three goals they had for themselves, and three goals they thought their partner would list, with at least one non-cancer related goal. Results: 10 dyads (n=20) were recruited for this study. Participants were mostly white, non-Hispanic, and married spouses. Only one patient participant was unable to list three goals. Dyads reported that the discussion was not stressful and they found high levels of benefit. Analysis of questionnaire and open-ended feedback overwhelmingly indicated the discussion task was useful to participants and that the study environment encouraged open, non-confrontational communication. Conclusions: Our brief prompted dyadic discussion intervention was feasible to implement and participants reported it was useful. Communication between advanced cancer patients and caregivers is vitally important to facilitate dyadic coping and ensure dyads are better able to achieve their goals. This pilot could be easily adapted to facilitate dyadic communication longitudinally to help facilitate communication between patients and caregivers along the cancer care continuum.

scholarly journals Effect of Hemoglobin on the Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Cancer in Palliative Care Settings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
xinghe liao ◽  
Cihang Bao ◽  
Minghui Liu ◽  
Menglei Chen ◽  
Xiaoli Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Time ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Median Survival Time ◽  
Palliative Treatment ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: Hemoglobin is a prognostic factor for many cancer patients. However, its effect on the prognosis of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment is still unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether hemoglobin can be used as a prognostic indicator for patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment.Methods: From July 2013 to October 2015, 368 consecutive patients were treated in the palliative treatment center of the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University. The data for 105 patients were extended in the follow-up. The cut-off value selected for hemoglobin was 100 g/L.Results: The median survival time of patients with low hemoglobin was shorter than that of patients with high hemoglobin (41 days vs. 84 days). In the follow-up readmission cohort (n = 105), the median survival time for patients with high hemoglobin (HHb → HHb) was 3.44 times longer than that of patients with low hemoglobin (HHb → LHb). Thus, both low hemoglobin and decreased hemoglobin were identified as independent prognostic factors for poor prognosis.Conclusions: In palliative treatment, hemoglobin can be used as a stratification factor to determine the prognosis of advanced cancer patients.

Frequency and characteristics of cancer-related drowsiness (CRD or excessive daytime sleepiness) in patients with advanced cancer: Results of a prospective survey at a tertiary cancer center.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 131-131
Author(s):  
Sriram Yennu ◽  
Dave Balachandran ◽  
Sandra L. Pedraza ◽  
Elyssa A Berg ◽  
Gary B. Chisholm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
P Value ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Opioid Dose ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale

131 Background: CRD is extremely distressing but treatable symptom to the advanced cancer patients (ACP). There are limited studies to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of CRD. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency, and factors associated with severity of CRD. Secondary aim was to determine the screening performance Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)-drowsiness item against the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Methods: We prospectively assessed 180 consecutive ACP at a tertiary cancer hospital. After obtaining signed consent, the patients completed ESAS, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); ESS (≥10 diagnostic of CRD), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), STOP-Bang Screening Scale (SBS), and Screening tool for RLS. We determined epidemiological performance, spearman correlations, regression analysis, receiver operated characteristics of CRD. Results: Of the180 patients assessed, 51% were female, CRD was found in 50% ACP, median scores(IQR) ESS: 11(7-14); ESAS- drowsiness item was 5 (2-6); PSQI was 8(5-11); ISI (13 (5-19); SBS 3(2-4); HADS-D 6(3-10). Sleep apnea was found in 61%; and RLS in 38%. ESAS-D was associated with other ESAS items[r, p-value] Sleep (0.38, < 0.0001); pain (0.3, < 0.0001); fatigue(0.51, < 0.0001); depression(0.39, < 0.0001); anxiety(0.44, < 0.0001); shortness of breath(0.32, < 0.0001); anorexia(0.36, < 0.0001), FWB(0.41, < 0.0001), and ESS (0.24, 0.001), Opioid dose [MEDD] (0.19, 0.01). Multivariate analysis found no independent predictors except ISI (OR 2.35; 0.036), ESAS Fatigue (OR 9.08, <0.0001), ESAS Anxiety (3.0, 0.009); feeling of well-being (OR 2.27, p=0.04). An ESAS- drowsiness cut-off score of ≥ 3(of 10) resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 81% and 32% and of 70% and 44% in the training and validation samples, respectively. Conclusions: Clinically significant CRD was associated with increased fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbance and worse feeling of well-being. These symptoms should be routinely assessed and treated in ACP with CRD. ESAS-drowsiness score of ≥3 of 10 is most useful for screening CRD.

Impact of palliative care (PC) consultation on quality of end-of-life (EOL) care in advanced cancer patients receiving care at a tertiary cancer center (TCC).

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 129-129
Author(s):  
Sharon Watanabe ◽  
Viane Faily ◽  
Yoko Tarumi ◽  
Robin Fainsinger ◽  
Aynharan Sinnarajah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Cancer Registry ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Early Integration ◽  
Eol Care

129 Background: Early integration of PC with oncological care has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with advanced cancer, including quality of life and mood. It has also been suggested to have a positive impact on quality of EOL care. The purpose of our study was to examine how occurrence and timing of PC consultation are associated with quality of EOL care in advanced cancer patients receiving care at a Canadian TCC. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who died between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014, had advanced cancer while receiving care at our TCC, and lived in the catchment area of our urban comprehensive integrated PC program were eligible. Date of death, demographics, and cancer type were obtained from the cancer registry. Date of diagnosis of advanced cancer was determined from electronic medical records. Occurrence and date of PC consultation were identified from the PC database. Data on quality of EOL care indicators were retrieved from the cancer registry, including, in the last 30 days of life: emergency room visits, hospital admission, hospitalization > 14 days, ICU admission, death in hospital, and chemotherapy use. Results: Of 1414 eligible patients, 1101 (77.9%) received PC consultation in hospital, outpatient clinic, or community. Patients who received PC consultation were younger than those who did not receive PC consultation (age 68.8 vs. 71.0, p = 0.01), and differed in the frequency of cancer types (p < 0.001), but not sex, marital status, or income. 679 patients (48.0%) had at least 1 indicator of quality of EOL care. Patients who did and did not receive PC consultation did not differ in the frequency of any indicators of quality of EOL care. There were also no differences in frequency of quality of EOL care indicators between patients who received their first PC consultation > 3 months vs. ≤3 months or > 6 months vs. ≤6 months before death. Conclusions: Among advanced cancer patients receiving care at our TCC, occurrence and timing of PC consultation did not affect quality of EOL care. Methodological and healthcare system differences may explain the discrepancy between our results and those of other investigators. Further research is needed.

Symptom burden and characteristics of patients who die in the acute palliative care unit of a tertiary cancer center.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 53-53
Author(s):  
YuJung Kim ◽  
Grace S. Ahn ◽  
Hak Ro Kim ◽  
Beodeul Kang ◽  
Sung Soun Hur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Tertiary Cancer Center

53 Background: Acute Palliative Care Units (ACPUs) are novel inpatient programs in tertiary care centers that provide aggressive symptom management and assist transition to hospice. However, patients often die in the APCU before successfully transferring to hospice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the symptom burden and characteristics of advanced cancer patients who die in the APCU. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all advanced cancer patients admitted to the APCU between April, 2015 and March, 2016 at a tertiary cancer center in Korea. Basic characteristics and symptom burden assessed by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) were obtained from consultation upon APCU admission. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare patients who died in the APCU with those who were discharged alive. Results: Of the 267 patients analyzed, 87 patients (33%) died in the APCU. The median age of patients was 66 (range, 23-97). Patients who died in the APCU had higher ESAS scores of drowsiness (6 vs 5, P = 0.002), dyspnea (4 vs 2, P = 0.001), anorexia (8 vs 6, P = 0.014) and insomnia (6 vs 4, P = 0.001) compared to patients who discharged alive. Total symptom distress scores (SDS) were also significantly higher (47 vs 40, P = 0.001). Patients who died in the APCU were more likely to be male (odds ratio [OR] for female patients 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.67, P < 0.001) and have higher ESAS scores of drowsiness (OR 2.08, 95% CI, 1.08-3.99, P = 0.029) and dyspnea (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.26-3.80, P = 0.005). These patients showed significantly shorter survival after APCU admission (7 days vs 31 days, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Advanced cancer patients who die in the APCU are more likely to be male and have significantly higher symptom burden that include drowsiness and dyspnea. These patients show rapid clinical deterioration after APCU admission. More proactive and timely end-of-life care is needed for these patients.

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