Breathlessness in cancer patients

Breathlessness (or dyspnoea) is a common symptom experienced by cancer patients. It may be iatrogenic and is often caused or aggravated by co-morbidity. Recent studies have elucidated the neural and chemical controls of breathing which may be involved in the production of dyspnoea. A rational approach involves making a diagnosis of aetiology and treating reversible causes wherever possible. The main approaches for palliation of dyspnoea include anti-cancer treatments; drugs; oxygen and airflow; non-medical approaches. Further research is needed to clarify the best pharmacological regimens and the place of more invasive interventions.     

All change: cancer services in transition

The policy and health service background to this discussion are the radical changes in cancer services currently underway in the wake of the Calman-Hine Report and the wider changes ushered in by the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 (UK). Using the changing face of hospice care as the focus, the authors explore some of the potential issues and dilemmas involved in providing supportive care for cancer patients and their families. Three 'themes', or areas of concern, are highlighted: links between services, changing organizational factors, and increasing 'medical imperialism'. Potential benefits and drawbacks of the changing ethos and organizational structures are discussed. Interview data are used as 'triggers' for the presentation of the authors' own reflections on developments in the hospice and cancer services' arenas. The paper draws on interview data collected in the pilot phase of a 3-year study on the psycho-social needs of cancer patients and their informal carers in north-west England. Twenty-nine interviews were conducted with a range of professionals involved in the provision of cancer services in Lancaster and Kendal. In the spirit of 'gathering thoughts' and facilitating debate, a commentary on developments in the hospice sector is offered rather than any firm conclusion.     

妇科恶性肿瘤患者的心理护理效果

目的探讨心理护理在妇科恶性肿瘤护理中的应用效果。方法选取2011年1月至2012年12月间100例妇科肿瘤患者为研究对象,按照随机数字法分为对照组和干预组,对照组给予肿瘤内科的常规护理,而干预组在常规护理基础上实施心理护理干预,观察两组的治疗效果。结果干预组的护理满意度为96.0%,对照组的护理满意度为80.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预组和对照组护理前的SAS、SDS评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预组和对照组护理后的SAS和SDS评分较护理前均有明显的改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于妇科恶性肿瘤患者实施心理护理干预措施是可行的,能够有效提高患者的临床护理满意度,并且改善患者焦虑和抑郁状况,值得在临床中应用与推广。     

Disparity in cancer care: a Canadian perspective

Canada is facing cancer crisis. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in Canada. Despite recent advances in cancer management and research, growing disparities in cancer care have been noticed, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged groups and under-served communities. With the rising incidence of cancer and the increasing numbers of minorities and of social disparities in general, and without appropriate interventions, cancer care disparities will become only more pronounced. This paper highlights the concepts and definitions of equity in health and health care and examines several health determinants that increase the risk of cancer. It also reviews cancer care inequity in the high-risk groups. A conceptual framework is proposed and recommendations are made for the eradication of disparities within the health care system and beyond.     

Critical care of patients with cancer

Answer questions and earn CME/CNE The increasing prevalence of patients living with cancer in conjunction with the rapid progress in cancer therapy will lead to a growing number of patients with cancer who will require intensive care treatment. Fortunately, the development of more effective oncologic therapies, advances in critical care, and improvements in patient selection have led to an increased survival of critically ill patients with cancer. As a consequence, critical care has become an important cornerstone in the continuum of modern cancer care. Although, in many aspects, critical care for patients with cancer does not differ from intensive care for other seriously ill patients, there are several challenging issues that are unique to this patient population and require special knowledge and skills. The optimal management of critically ill patients with cancer necessitates expertise in oncology, critical care, and palliative medicine. Cancer specialists therefore have to be familiar with key principles of intensive care for critically ill patients with cancer. This review provides an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art in the individualized management of critically ill patients with cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:496–517. © 2016 American Cancer Society .     

晚期癌症患者的临终关怀及护理

目的探讨晚期癌症患者的临终关怀与护理。方法回顾性分析2011年1月至2013年6月收治的50例晚期癌症患者的临床资料。结果患者经护理后,其生活质量良好率和较好率均明显高于护理前,食欲、精神、睡眠、疼痛、对癌症的认识和态度、对治疗的态度和配合、心理感受、活动无兴趣、日常生活情况等评分较护理前明显升高,自卑感评分明显下降,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。结论晚期癌症患者的临终关怀与护理能够将患者生理和心理上的痛苦最大限度地减轻或消除,促进患者生活质量的显著提升,值得临床推广。     

Spirituality in cancer care

Spirituality affects us all, although it takes many different forms. The spiritual needs of patients and families may not always be obvious to health professionals and this module will consider the theoretical and practical skills required to address them.     

Follow-up care for cancer survivors: the views of clinicians

Background:

Evidence for the efficacy of late effects surveillance in adult cancer survivors is lacking and there is little agreement among clinicians on appropriate follow-up care.

Methods:

We report the views of both cancer experts and general practitioners (GPs) on long-term follow-up provision for cancer survivors, focussing on the 18–45 years age group. A total of 421 cancer experts (36% haematologists, 33% oncologists, 18% surgeons, 10% nurses, 2% other) and 54 GPs responded to a structured online survey. Reasons for follow-up care (clinical or supportive); advantages and disadvantages of follow-up in primary care; current practice; and resources required for a quality follow-up service were assessed.

Results:

Clinicians valued clinical reasons for follow-up more highly than supportive reasons (P<0.001). Learning more about late effects and checking for cancer recurrence were rated as the most important reasons for follow-up by cancer experts and GPs. A total of 85% of cancer specialists hold follow-up consultations alongside patients on active treatment. Cancer experts agreed that primary care follow-up would increase their availability for acute oncological care, but reduce information on late effects. The most important resource to provide a quality follow-up service was specialist nursing support (91%).

Conclusions:

Follow-up guidelines that include late effects surveillance are needed. Where and who should deliver this care requires further debate.     

Experiences in Home Care of Cancer Patients A new approach in cancer nursing

As a result of mutilating operative procedures, aggressive cytotoxic chemotherapy and terminal stage of the disease, tumor patients face frequent visits to the tumor center. They are often hospitalized and thereby excluded from family and home. To enable cancer therapy and supportive care on an ambulatory basis, a team consisting of two physicians, two nurses and one psychologist was settled in our department in November 1986. The purpose of this team was to transfer several oncological treatment modalities from the hospital to the homes of the patients. Apart from organizing the patients' discharge from the hospital and coordinating treatment, the main task of the team has been to follow the patient during the course of the disease and give psycological support. In our experience the possibility of home care has clearly improved the patients' quality of life.     

Survivorship care plans in cancer: a systematic review of care plan outcomes

Background:

Eight years after the Institute of Medicine recommended survivorship care plans (SCPs) for all cancer survivors, this study systematically reviewed the evidence for their use.

Methods:

Studies evaluating outcomes after implementation of SCPs for cancer survivors were identified by searching databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane). Data were extracted and summarised.

Results:

Ten prospective studies (2286 survivors) met inclusion criteria (5 randomised controlled trials (RCTs)). Study populations included survivors of breast, gynaecological, colorectal and childhood cancer. Several models of SCP were evaluated (paper based/on-line, oncologist/nurse/primary-care physician-delivered and different templates). No significant effect of SCPs was found on survivor distress, satisfaction with care, cancer-care coordination or oncological outcomes in RCTs. Breast cancer survivors with SCPs were better able to correctly identify the clinician responsible for their follow-up care. One study suggested a positive impact on reducing unmet needs. Levels of survivor satisfaction with, and self-reported understanding of, their SCP were very high. Feasibility was raised by health professionals as a significant barrier, as SCPs took 1–4 h of their time to develop.

Conclusions:

Emerging evidence shows very few measurable benefits of SCPs. Survivors reported high levels of satisfaction with SCPs. Resource issues were identified as a significant barrier to implementation.     

医院内癌症患者死亡观调查

目的 调查医院内癌症患者的死亡观及其影响因素。方法 采用自行设计的调查问卷对癌症患者进行调查。结果 发放问卷100份,回收有效问卷99份,其中介意谈论死亡相关问题的患者占27.27％。患者是否介意谈论死亡问题与其文化程度（P=0.005）、居住环境（P=0.009）、接触垂危或濒死情况（P=0.001）、接触死亡情况（P=0.003）、是否有目睹家庭成员在临终期的经历（P=0.042）及参加葬礼时的感觉（P=0.001）等有关。不介意谈论死亡的患者中,超过半数认为死亡应顺其自然;选择对临终者“尽可能抢救”和“依病情而定”的比例相近（44.44％ vs. 50.00％）;面对死亡最关心的问题是“对家庭的责任未完”（63.89％）和“亲友会哀伤”（11.11％）;2／3的患者偏好死亡地点在家中,仅有18.06％的患者选择在医院。结论 实施姑息治疗和临终关怀,并提高癌症患者的生活质量具有重要意义。     

老年晚期癌症患者的临终关怀

临终关怀与老年人关系密切，老年癌症患者是临终关怀的主要对象，这也是姑息医学的主要内容。作为一门新兴学科，本文对临终关怀的概念、目的及其在老年晚期癌症患者中的实施作一综述。     

老年晚期癌症患者的临终关怀

临终关怀与老年人关系密切,老年癌症患者是临终关怀的主要对象,这也是姑息医学的主要内容.作为一门新兴学科,本文对临终关怀的概念、目的及其在老年晚期癌症患者中的实施作一综述.     

Urban-rural differences in the management of breast cancer

We conducted a population-based study with medical-record review of breast cancer patients as part of a larger study of an oncology outreach program to improve cancer management for rural patients within their community hospital. This analysis compares the breast cancer care received by the rural population before the oncology outreach program with that of the contiguous urban population. All 1986–87 cases in selected Illinois (United States) counties were identified using the Illinois State Cancer Registry. Data were obtained by hospital record audit and physician survey. Case follow-back was 98 percent complete. Rural cases were evaluated separately when they were diagnosed in an urban facility. State-of-the-art management was defined by the 1986–87 Physician Data Query and included diagnostic evaluation, prognostic evaluation, and stage-specific treatment. A summary variable incorporated whether or not the most appropriate management was offered. Compared with urban cases, rural cases diagnosed in rural hospitals were less likely to have staged tumors and more likely to have node dissections. Rural cases traveling to urban centers were less likely to have limited surgery, hormone therapy, and a biopsy as a first-step surgical procedure, and more likely to have node dissection.when this work was completed and now is with The Cancer Center, St Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, CA, USA.This study was conducted at the Illinois Department of Public Health in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Center, Memorial Cancer Center, Springfield, IL, USA.     

Chemotherapy and healthcare utilisation near the end of life in patients with cancer

The quality of medical care delivered to patients with cancer near the end of life is a significant issue. Previous studies have defined several areas suggestive of aggressive cancer treatment as potentially representing poor quality care. The primary objective of current analysis was to examine chemotherapy and healthcare utilisation in the last 3 months of life among patients with cancer that received palliative chemotherapy. Patients were selected from the hospital administration database of the Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were extracted from the medical files. A total of 604 patients were included for analysis (median age: 64 years). For 300 patients (50%) chemotherapy was given in the last 3 months (CT+). For 76% (n = 229) of CT+ patients unplanned hospital admissions were made in these last 3 months, compared to 44% (n = 133) of CT? patients (p < .001). Visits to the emergency room in last 3 months were made by 67% (n = 202) of CT+ patients compared to 43% (n = 132) of CT? patients (p < .001). Healthcare consumption was significantly higher in patients who received chemotherapy in the last 3 months of life. Being able to inform our patients about these aspects of treatment can help to optimise both the quality of life and the quality of dying in patients with cancer.     

Social objectives in cancer care: the example of palliative day care

Social objectives are poorly specified and evaluated in cancer care. Palliative day care is an example where social objectives are often identified but research has focused on health-care outcomes. A literature review identifies four types of social objective: emotional and spiritual care, general social care, services for families and carers and creative arts. Social objectives include: distinguishing between therapeutic work and leisure and supportive interventions, promoting service continuity, reducing social isolation, increasing social interaction, reassuring introduction to palliative care, rehearsal of reactions to illness with a sympathetic audience, integration of families and carers into care services, respite for carers and creative work for three separable objectives. It is argued that interventions to achieve social objectives may be defined and evaluated in a measurable way. Similarly, social objectives and interventions can be specified at other stages in the cancer journey.     

Developing practice in cancer rehabilitation

This module explores the concept of rehabilitation and supportive care in a cancer context. It examines policy and practice that inform rehabilitation in cancer care in England and considers how rehabilitation and supportive care issues can be addressed in clinical practice.