Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among patients with cancer undergoing palliative care: A pilot study of a single institution in Poland.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 178-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Wojtacki ◽  
Leszek Pawlowski ◽  
Iga Pawlowska ◽  
Monika Lichodziejewska–Niemierko
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Primary Cancer ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Cam Use

178 Background: Real life observations suggest CAM is frequently used by cancer patients. The profound knowledge of CAM use details is crucial for both efficacy and safety of anticancer and supportive therapy. Methods: Semi-structured pilot questionnaire about details of CAM use was presented to all 202 consecutive patients of Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic, E. Dutkiewicz SAC Hospice, Gdańsk, Poland (April-22 and September-30/2016). After excluding 112 patients (no-responders group = N-RES) due to low performance status (N = 64), lack of written agreement (n = 10), diagnosis of non-malignant disease (N = 26), others (N = 12), the final analysis included 90 patients (female: 72,0%, median age: 63,5, range: 24-94 yrs) with advanced cancer (responders = RES). Demographic and clinical data were collected at the same time, then statistically related to CAM use details. Results: RES patients were significantly younger (p = 0,0045) and in better performance status (p < 0,05) as compared to N-RES group (no difference with regard to gender, education level, primary cancer location, duration of malignant disease, marital status). Since the primary cancer diagnosis, CAM was used by 56 (62,2%) RES patients and mostly included vitamin/mineral formulations (36,7%), herbs (32,2%), alternative nutrition (24,4%), music therapy (11,1%) and Chinese medicine (5,6%). The main reasons for CAM use were: to enhance the effects of anticancer therapy (48,9%), to treat its side-effects (15,6%) or the lack of conventional therapy possibilities (5,6%). CAM was used more frequently by patients who experienced weight loss since diagnosis of cancer (p = 0,0028) or those who used CAM methods to control symptoms not related to cancer (p = 0,0109); age, gender, education level, marital status, religious practices frequency were not significantly related to CAM use. Conclusions: 1) CAM use is common among patients with advanced cancer under palliative care; 2) some factors might be in relation to higher CAM use (weight loss, CAM use to control symptoms not related to cancer); 3) further research is required to investigate better different aspects of CAM use such as safety, efficacy and outcomes in this population.

scholarly journals Palliative Care and COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Study of Factors Associated With Infection and Death at an Oncological Palliative Care Reference Center

2021 ◽  
pp. 104990912098696
Author(s):  
Livia Costa de Oliveira ◽  
Karla Santos da Costa Rosa ◽  
Ana Luísa Durante ◽  
Luciana de Oliveira Ramadas Rodrigues ◽  
Daianny Arrais de Oliveira da Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Reactive Protein

Background: Advanced cancer patients are part of a group likely to be more susceptible to COVID-19. Aims: To describe the profile of advanced cancer inpatients to an exclusive Palliative Care Unit (PCU) with the diagnosis of COVID-19, and to evaluate the factors associated with death in these cases. Design: Retrospective cohort study with data from advanced cancer inpatients to an exclusive PCU, from March to July 2020, with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Diagnostic of COVID-19 and death were the dependent variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed, with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: One hundred fifty-five patients were selected. The mean age was 60.9 (±13.4) years old and the most prevalent tumor type was breast (30.3%). Eighty-three (53.5%) patients had a diagnostic confirmation of COVID-19. Having diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-6.6) and having received chemotherapy in less than 30 days before admission (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2-12.2) were associated factors to diagnosis of COVID-19. Among those infected, 81.9% died and, patients with Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) < 30% (OR: 14.8; 95% CI 2.7-21.6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) >21.6mg/L (OR: 9.3; 95% CI 1.1-27.8), had a greater chance of achieving this outcome. Conclusion: Advanced cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy in less than 30 days before admission and who had diabetes mellitus were more likely to develop Coronavirus 2019 disease. Among the confirmed cases, those hospitalized with worse KPS and bigger CRP were more likely to die.

scholarly journals Predictors and trajectory of performance status in patients with advanced cancer: A secondary data analysis of the international European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W Boland ◽  
Victoria Allgar ◽  
Elaine G Boland ◽  
Stein Kaasa ◽  
Marianne J Hjermstad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Explanatory Factors

Background: Performance status, a predictor of cancer survival, and ability to maintain independent living deteriorate in advanced disease. Understanding predictors of performance status trajectory could help identify those at risk of functional deterioration, target support for independent living and reduce service costs. The relationship between symptoms, analgesics and performance status is poorly delineated. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine whether demographics, analgesics, disease characteristics, quality-of-life domains and C-reactive protein predict the trajectory of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) in patients with advanced cancer. Design: The study design is the secondary data analysis of the international prospective, longitudinal European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01362816). A multivariable regression model was built for KPS area under the curve per day (AUC). Setting and participants: This included adults with advanced, incurable cancer receiving palliative care, without severe cognitive impairment and who were not imminently dying ( n = 1739). Results: The mean daily KPS AUC ( n = 1052) was 41.1 (standard deviation = 14.1). Opioids ( p < 0.001), co-analgesics ( p = 0.023), poorer physical functioning ( p < 0.001) and appetite loss ( p = 0.009) at baseline were explanatory factors for lower KPS AUC. A subgroup analysis of participants with C-reactive protein data ( n = 240) showed that only C-reactive protein ( p = 0.040) and physical function ( p < 0.001) were associated with lower KPS AUC. Conclusion: This study is novel in determining explanatory factors for subsequent functional trajectories in an international dataset and identifying systemic inflammation as a candidate therapeutic target to improve functional performance. The effect of interventions targeting physical function, appetite and inflammation, such as those used for cachexia management, on maintaining functional status in patients with advanced cancer needs to be investigated.

Comorbidity and survival in cancer patients receiving palliative care

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9066-9066
Author(s):  
V. T. Chang ◽  
N. Sambamoorthi ◽  
B. Zhou ◽  
H. Yan ◽  
M. L. Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Survival Analyses ◽  
Comorbidity Index

9066 Background: Comorbidity has received increasing attention in the assessment of patients with early stage cancer, or at diagnosis. We studied whether three indices of comorbidity, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CMI), the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), and the Kaplan Feinstein Index (KFI) add prognostic information for cancer patients receiving palliative care. Methods: In an IRB approved protocol, 103 patients with advanced cancer were seen at the time they were starting palliative care. They had a Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) determination, and were followed longitudinally. Comorbidity scores were coded from the medical record. At this time, all patients had died and survival analyses were performed. Results: The median age was 69 years (range 41–87), median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) was 70% (range 20–90); primary sites were lung 41 pts (40%), prostate 23pts (22%), colorectal 10 pts (10%), other cancers 29 pts (28%). Median survival was 111 days (range 4–1,145 days). Median CMI was 10 (range 4–14), CIRS15 4 (2–5), CIRS16 9 (4–12), CIRS17 2.3 (1.5–3.33), CIRS18 1 (0–3), KFI 2 (0–3). In univariate survival analyses, when bisected by median values, the KPS, age, CMI, and subscales of the CIRS (CIRS 16, CIRS 17, CIRS18) were significantly related to survival, but not the KFI. In multivariate Cox regression analyses that included KPS (p<0.0001) and age (p<0.003) and a comorbidity index, the CMI (p<0.0001), and certain subscales of the CIRS were independently predictive of survival, specifically the CIRS 15 (p<0.0001), CIRS16 (p<0.0001), CIRS 17 (p<0.0001), and CIRS18 (p<0.0001). The primary site was not an independent survival predictor. Conclusion: In patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative care, measures of comorbidity may contribute to refining estimates of prognosis and ultimately to health care resource utilization. The optimal comorbidity measure remains to be determined. These results will be confirmed in larger populations. Supported in part by the Soros Open Society Institute Project Death in America and VA HSRD IIR 02–103 No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Differences in performance status assessments between palliative care specialists, nurses, and oncologists.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
YuJung Kim ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Ji Chan Park ◽  
David Hui ◽  
Gary B. Chisholm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
Ecog Ps

19 Background: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) is one of the most commonly used assessment tools among oncologists and palliative care specialists caring advanced cancer patients. However, the inter-observer difference between the oncologist and palliative care specialist has never been reported. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were first referred to an outpatient palliative care clinic in 2013 and identified 278 eligible patients. The ECOG PS assessments by palliative care specialists, nurses, and oncologists, and the symptom burden measured by Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were analyzed. Results: According to the pairwise comparisons using Sign tests, palliative care specialists rated the ECOG PS grade significantly higher than oncologists (median 0.5 grade, P<0.0001) and nurses also rated significantly higher (median 1.0 grade, P<0.0001). The assessments of palliative care specialists and nurses were not significantly different (P=0.10). Weighted kappa values for inter-observer agreement were 0.26 between palliative care specialists and oncologists, and 0.61 between palliative care specialists and nurses. Palliative care specialists’ assessments showed a moderate correlation with fatigue, dyspnea, anorexia, feeling of well-being, and symptom distress score measured by ESAS. The ECOG PS assessments by all three groups were significantly associated with survival (P<0.001), but the assessments by oncologists could not distinguish survival of patients with PS 2 from 3. Independent predictors of discordance in PS assessments between palliative care specialists and oncologists were the presence of an effective treatment option (odds ratio [OR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-5.23) and poor feeling of well-being (≥4) by ESAS (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.34-4.21). Conclusions: ECOG PS assessments by the palliative care specialists and nurses were significantly different from the oncologists. Systematic efforts to increase regular interdisciplinary meetings and communications might be crucial to bridge the gap and establish a best care plan for each advanced cancer patients.

Predictive value of the patient reported outcome “living with cancer” instrument on overall survival in advanced cancer patients: A tool for guiding timing of palliative care consultations.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10025-10025
Author(s):  
Stuart L. Goldberg ◽  
Dhakshila Paramanathan ◽  
Srikesh Arunajadai ◽  
Victoria DeVincenzo ◽  
Ruth Pe Benito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Cox Model ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Living With Cancer

10025 Background: The Living with Cancer (LWC) patient reported outcome (PRO) instrument evaluates distress from the point of view of the advanced cancer pt. The 7-item Likert survey measures 4 personhood domains (performance status, pain, burden [financial and family], depression) with scores ranging 0-112. In a pilot study of 433 cancer pts at a single center a score of >28 was associated with an increased likelihood of physician’s (blinded) opinion of need for end-of-life care discussions ( J Palliative Med 2016). Methods: The LWC instrument is a statistically validated PRO (ASCO Palliative Care Symposium 2016). LWC was administered to 1024 cancer pts receiving non-curative therapy at 7 centers (Regional Cancer Care Associates, NJ) from Sept 2015 - Oct 2016. LWC surveys were linked to the Cota database, which extracts and enriches data from EHRs. Date of survey was used as the start point in time-to-event analysis. Results: 290 (28%) pts expired during the study (median f/u 9.9 months). 267 (26%) pts exceeded the threshold score of 28 defined in the pilot set (28 was also independently this study’s optimal cut point). Pts with an LWC score >28 had inferior 6 and 12 mo overall survival (69% and 54%) vs pts with scores <29 (88% and 73%) (log rank p<0.001). A Cox model demonstrated that LWC score and cancer type were significant (LWC: p<0.001, cancer types (compared to B): GI p<0.001, GU: p=0.013, T: p<0.001, M: p=0.334) A one point score increase in LWC resulted in a 1.8% increase in expected hazard. Among solid tumor pts with LWC >28, 20% died within the next 3 mo and 35% died within the next 6 mo, indicating appropriate timing for hospice and palliative care consults, respectively. Conclusions: Pt responses to the LWC instrument predict survival among advanced cancer pts and may be useful in guiding timing of palliative care consultations. [Table: see text]

The influence of a cachexia clinic on palliative care integration in oncology.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 124-124
Author(s):  
Diane Portman ◽  
Sarah Thirlwell ◽  
Kristine A. Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
The Impact

124 Background: Appetite and weight loss are common in patients with advanced cancer and specialized cachexia clinics have been established to address these symptoms. Given the association between anorexia/cachexia and other adverse symptoms, these patients may also benefit from specialty level palliative care (PC). However, referral to outpatient specialty level PC is often delayed or does not occur. We sought to examine the prevalence of other factors associated with appetite and weight loss in patients with advanced cancer and the impact of a specialized cachexia clinic on identification and treatment of other PC needs. Methods: The records of patients referred by their Oncologist to the cachexia clinic of a cancer center from August 2016 to June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Subjects who had been referred to PC by their Oncologist were excluded. Patients had been assessed for symptom burden using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS-r). Patients identified with PC needs had been referred to the PC clinic for follow-up within 30 days after cachexia clinic consultation. Results: Thirty subjects were evaluated in the cachexia clinic (average age 68 years; 63% female). The predominant diagnosis was lung cancer (70%). An average of 6 symptoms per patient were in the moderate to severe range on ESAS, excluding appetite. Depression, fatigue and pain were most common. The average cachexia clinic total ESAS score was 51.61. Only 17% of patients had completed advance directives. Ninety-three % of patients were referred to PC and 68% were seen. The average number of PC visits was 2.79. Within the PC clinic, advance directive completion increased to 37%, goals of care discussion occurred with 50% and 17% received hospice referrals. At the most recent follow-up in the PC clinic, the average total ESAS score had decreased by 11.44 (22%) and all ESAS item scores were improved on average. Conclusions: The cachexia clinic proved a useful means to identify other PC needs and achieve effective PC referrals. We suggest this is proof of concept that specialty clinics can be a meaningful way to achieve an earlier entry point to comprehensive PC in patients who were not previously referred by their Oncologists.

Multidisciplinary tumor board for improvement of oncology collaboration in advanced cancer patients.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 175-175
Author(s):  
Sanders Chang ◽  
Amish Doshi ◽  
Cardinale B. Smith ◽  
Bethann Scarborough ◽  
Stelian Serban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Tumor Board ◽  
Cancer Site ◽  
Primary Cancer ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Primary Cancer Site ◽  
Supportive Oncology ◽  
The Impact

175 Background: The Palliative and Supportive Oncology Tumor Board was developed in 2015 to provide an interdisciplinary forum for discussion and management of patients with complex or refractory symptoms from advanced cancer. The board meets monthly and consists of medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, pain management, palliative care specialists, residents, and fellows. Here, we assess the impact of the tumor board on the care of these patients. Methods: Electronic records of advanced cancer patients discussed at the tumor board from January 2015 to December 2015 were analyzed. We extracted data regarding sociodemographics, primary cancer site, pain interventions delivered, palliative care services utilized, and readmissions. Results: Thirty-two patients were presented at the tumor board over twelve months. The median age was 60 years (range 26-89); 47% were male. Primary cancer site included multiple myeloma (n = 11), gastrointestinal (n = 9), genitourinary (n = 5), breast (n = 2), lung (n = 2), skin (n = 1), and unknown origin (n = 2). At the time of discussion, 16 patients were hospitalized and 18 were in the ambulatory setting. Recommendations from the tumor board included altering medication regimen (n = 4), discussing eligibility to receive an anesthetic block (n = 7), undergoing vertebroplasty (n = 9), and planning palliative radiation treatment (n = 19). Patients were seen by specialists from pain (n = 21), interventional radiology (n = 14), neurosurgery (n = 9), palliative care (n = 20), radiation oncology (n = 21), or medical oncology (n= 32) within one day of their case presentation at the tumor board. Seven patients were transferred to the inpatient palliative care unit within a day of their tumor board discussion. Five patients were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days due to uncontrolled pain or other symptoms. Conclusions: The palliative and supportive oncology tumor board was well received by clinicians overall. It fostered interdisciplinary collaboration and supported comprehensive management of pain and other symptoms, as evidenced by the mix of cases discussed and the short time within which patients were seen after presentation by the participating specialists.

End-of-life care and prognosis of elderly patients with advanced cancer in palliative care unit.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23011-e23011
Author(s):  
Shuji Hiramoto ◽  
Tomoko Tamaki ◽  
Hori Tetsuo ◽  
Ayako Kikuchi ◽  
Akira Yoshioka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Prognostic Factor ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Significant Prognostic Factor ◽  
Ecog Performance Status ◽  
Consciousness Level ◽  
Number Of Patients

e23011 Background: Prognosis of end-of-life characteristics, which are indicators of palliative care, especially in elderly cancer patients, remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 510 patients who died of advanced cancer at our hospital from August 2011 to August 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: elderly patients (over 80 years old, N = 140) and non-elderly patients (under 80 years old, N = 370). The number of patients (306 male and 204 female) with gastro-esophageal, biliary-pancreatic, colorectal, lung, breast, urological, gynecological, hepatocellular, and other cancers were 114, 98, 82, 84, 25, 36, 20 and 51, respectively. The primary endpoint of the study was to analyze the relationship of end-of-life symptoms, treatment, and chemotherapy with age. The secondary endpoint was to identify the prognostic factors in elderly patients with advanced cancer at the end-of-life. Results: ECOG Performance Status of 0.1 was recorded for 12 patients and 2-4 for 498 patients. The prevalence rate of cancer pain in elderly patients was 19.3%, which was significantly lower than that in non-elderly patients (31.4%). Fatigue in elderly patients was 27.9%, which was significantly lower than that in non-elderly patients (37.6%). Continuous deep sedation usage in elderly patients was 12.9%, which was significantly lower than that in non-elderly patients (28.9%). The mean opioid dose in elderly patients was 23.3mg/day, which was significantly lower than that that in non-elderly patients (43.8mg/day). The rate of more than one line of chemotherapy for elderly patients was 44.4%, which was lower than that for non-elderly patients (65.4%). The rate of use of more than one type of cytotoxic agent in the last regimen for elderly patients was 13.3%, which was lower than that for non-elderly patients (30.8%). Consciousness level was recognized as a significant prognostic factor (HR 1.714, p = 0.048) using multivariate analysis of prognosis in elderly patients at the end-of-life. Conclusions: End-of-life symptoms and the intensity of end-of-life treatment, including chemotherapy, were lesser in elderly patients as compared to non-elderly patients. Consciousness level was a significant prognostic factor in elderly patients at the end-of-life.

Perception of curability in an international cohort of advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Sriram Yennu ◽  
Omar M. Shamieh ◽  
Luis Fernando Rodrigues ◽  
Columbe Tricou ◽  
Marilène Filbet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Education Performance ◽  
Understanding Of Illness

5 Background: There is limited data on the illness understanding and perception of cure among advanced cancer patients (ACP) receiving palliative care around the world. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with perception of curability in countries in North and South Americas , Europe, Asia and Africa. Methods: Secondary analysis of a study to determine the decisional control preferences in different countries. ACP receiving palliative care were surveyed to assess the patients’ Understanding of Illness using a Understanding Of Illness questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: A total 1390 ACPs were evaluated. The median age was 58, 55% were female, 59% were married, 47% were catholic, 36.2% were educated college or higher degree. 681/1390 (49%) reported that their cancer is curable, 60% felt perceived that the goals of therapy was “to get rid of their cancer,” 79% perceived that the goals of the therapy was to “make them feel better.” 62 % perceived they were relatively healthy. Logistic regression analysis (Table 1) shows that better Karnosfsky performance status (OR 1.009, P = 0.04), higher education (OR 0.52, P = 0.0001), ACP's belonging to Brazil, France and S. Africa were less likely and ACPs from Philippines, Jordan were more likely to have a perception of curability. Age, gender, marital status, religion and passive decision control preferences were not significantly associated with perception of curability. Conclusions: The perception of curability in ACP's is 49% and significantly differs by education, performance status, and country of origin. Integration of Palliative Care can be more complex in these patients. Further studies are needed to develop strategies to reduce this misperception so as to have early integration of palliative care. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals An inflammation-based prognostic score and its role in the nutrition-based management of patients with cancer

2008 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Prognostic Score ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Response ◽  
Patients With Cancer

Progressive involuntary weight loss, in particular the loss of lean tissue, is common in patients with advanced cancer and has long been recognised to result in a deterioration in performance status and quality of life, increased morbidity and mortality. The aetiology of such weight loss or cachexia is complex and involves both tumour and host responses. Thus, identification of patients who are or are likely to become cachectic has been problematic. In addition to a reduction in appetite and increased satiety leading to poor dietary intake, there is now increasing clinical evidence that the activation of a chronic ongoing systemic inflammatory response is one of the earliest and most important contributory factors to cachexia. Such findings help to explain the failure of simple nutritional programmes to reverse weight loss adequately in patients with cancer. In the present paper the development of an inflammation-based score is described, which is derived from the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein and albumin and is termed the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS). Its value as a predictor of survival, independent of tumour stage, performance status and treatment (active or palliative), has been shown in a variety of advanced common solid tumours. The nature of the relationship between the GPS, appetite, body composition, performance status and quality of life of the patient with advanced cancer will be described. Recently, it has become evident that the systemic inflammatory response is also present in a smaller proportion of patients with primary operable cancer and is also predictive of disease progression and poor survival. The role of GPS in clinical decision making will be discussed.

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