scholarly journals Craniopharyngioma

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermann L. Müller
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Histological Grade ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Cognitive Problems

Abstract This report is a review of findings on the diagnosis, treatment, clinical course, and prognosis of craniopharyngioma patients. Craniopharyngiomas are rare, partly cystic and calcified embryonic malformations of the sellar/parasellar region with low histological grade (WHO I°). A bimodal age distribution has been shown, with peak incidence rates in childhood-onset at 5–14 years and adult-onset craniopharyngioma at 50–74 years. Clinical manifestations are related to hypothalamic/pituitary deficiencies, visual impairment, and increased intracranial pressure. If the tumor is favorably localized, the therapy of choice is complete resection, with care taken to preserve optical and hypothalamic functions. In patients with unfavorable tumor localization (ie, hypothalamic involvement), recommended therapy is a limited hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategy followed by local irradiation. Although overall survival rates are high (92%), recurrences and progressions are frequent. Irradiation has proven effective in reducing recurrences and progression, and timing of postsurgical irradiation in childhood-onset cases is currently under investigation in a randomized multinational trial (KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007). Anatomical involvement and/or surgical lesions of posterior hypothalamic areas can result in serious quality of life-compromising sequelae such as hypothalamic obesity, psychopathological symptoms, and/or cognitive problems. It is crucial that craniopharyngioma be managed as a frequently chronic disease, providing ongoing care of pediatric and adult patients' clinical and quality of life consequences by experienced multidisciplinary teams.

Mini-review: Childhood-onset Craniopharyngioma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Otte ◽  
Hermann L Müller
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Residual Tumor ◽  
Tumor Location ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Grade Malignancy

Abstract Craniopharyngiomas are rare embryonic malformational tumors of the sellar/parasellar region, classified by the WHO as tumors with low-grade malignancy (WHO I°). The childhood adamantinomatous subtype of craniopharyngioma is usually cystic with calcified areas. At the time of diagnosis, hypothalamic/pituitary deficits, visual disturbances and increased intracranial pressure are major symptoms. The treatment of choice in case of favorable tumor location (without hypothalamic involvement) is complete resection. It is important to ensure that optical and hypothalamic functionality are preserved. In case of unfavorable tumor location, i.e. with hypothalamic involvement, a hypothalamus-sparing surgical strategy with subsequent local irradiation of residual tumor is recommended. In the further course of the disease, recurrences and progression often occur. Nevertheless, overall survival rates are high at 92%. Severe impairment of quality of life and comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome, hypothalamic obesity and neurological consequences can be observed in patients with disease- and/or treatment-related lesions of hypothalamic structures. Childhood-onset craniopharyngioma frequently manifests as a chronic disease so that patients require lifelong, continuous care by experienced multidisciplinary teams to manage clinical and quality of life consequences.For this review, a search for original articles and reviews published between 1986 and 2020 was performed in Pubmed, Science Citation Index Expanded, EMBASE and Scopus. The search terms used were “craniopharyngioma, hypothalamus, pituitary obesity, irradiation, neurosurgery”.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sarcopenia and Its Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Lumbar Degenerative Spine Disease—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 773
Author(s):  
Wei-Ting Wu ◽  
Tsung-Min Lee ◽  
Der-Sheng Han ◽  
Ke-Vin Chang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Degenerative Spine ◽  
Degenerative Spine Disease ◽  
Spine Disease

The association of sarcopenia with poor clinical outcomes has been identified in various medical conditions, although there is a lack of quantitative analysis to validate the influence of sarcopenia on patients with lumbar degenerative spine disease (LDSD) from the available literature. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with LDSD and examine its impact on clinical outcomes. The electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were systematically searched from inception through December 2020 for clinical studies investigating the association of sarcopenia with clinical outcomes in patients with LDSD. A random-effects model meta-analysis was carried out for data synthesis. This meta-analysis included 14 studies, comprising 1953 participants. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia among patients with LDSD was 24.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3%–34.3%). The relative risk of sarcopenia was not significantly increased in patients with LDSD compared with controls (risk ratio, 1.605; 95% CI, 0.321–8.022). The patients with sarcopenia did not experience an increase in low back and leg pain. However, lower quality of life (SMD, −0.627; 95% CI, −0.844–−0.410) were identified postoperatively. Sarcopenia did not lead to an elevated rate of complications after lumbar surgeries. Sarcopenia accounts for approximately one-quarter of the population with LDSD. The clinical manifestations are less influenced by sarcopenia, whereas sarcopenia is associated with poorer quality of life after lumbar surgeries. The current evidence is still insufficient to support sarcopenia as a predictor of postoperative complications.

scholarly journals Challenges and Perspectives on Breast Cancer Survivorship: The Journey Continues

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 96-96
Author(s):  
Victoria Raveis ◽  
Simona Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivor ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Women have a 1-in-8 lifetime risk of breast cancer. Earlier diagnosis and treatment advances have improved 15- and 20-year survival rates. Increased survival can mean coping with the effects of cancer and its treatment over an extended period of time, while experiencing age-related changes in functioning and the emergence of other health issues. To explore breast cancer survivors’ perspectives on their issues and concerns across the life-course, focus groups were conducted with a culturally diverse sample (N=18) of survivors (72% white, 28% Black, 11% Hispanic). Participants were 44-82 years old. Most, 83% were 50 and older, 56% were 60 and older. The majority (83%) were diagnosed in their 40’s and 50’s. Two were diagnosed in their early 30’s and one at age 68. Participants reaffirmed the necessity, as a breast cancer survivor, of being a life-long health advocate on their own behalf, and the importance of being self-informed. As one woman commented: “Knowledge is power”. Survivors shared that their emergent health issues were complicated by their cancer history, and, that, as a cancer survivor, “I never stop worrying”. A widespread concern was not knowing if the health issues and co-morbidities they experienced (such as joint pain, neuropathy, tendinitis, heart disease), were age-related, a consequence of their cancer, or a late treatment effect. An overriding sentiment expressed was that clinicians have not recognized the importance of quality of life in cancer survival. As a survivor succinctly stated: “We are living longer, but we need to live long with quality of life.”

scholarly journals A Dutch phase III randomized multicenter trial: whole brain radiotherapy vs. stereotactic radiotherapy for 4-10 brain metastases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne Hartgerink ◽  
Anna Bruynzeel ◽  
Danielle Eekers ◽  
Ans Swinnen ◽  
Coen Hurkmans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Whole Brain Radiotherapy ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain Radiotherapy ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background The clinical value of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases (BM) is a matter of debate due to the significant side effects involved. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an attractive alternative treatment option that may avoid these side effects and improve local tumor control. We initiated a randomized trial (NCT02353000) to investigate whether quality of life is better preserved after SRS compared with WBRT in patients with multiple brain metastases. Methods Patients with 4 to 10 BM were randomized between the standard arm WBRT (total dose 20 Gy in 5 fractions) or SRS (single fraction or 3 fractions). The primary endpoint was the difference in quality of life (QOL) at three months post-treatment. Results The study was prematurely closed due to poor accrual. A total of 29 patients (13%) were randomized, of which 15 patients have been treated with SRS and 14 patients with WBRT. The median number of lesions were 6 (range, 4-9) and the median total treatment volume was 13.0 cc 3 (range, 1.8-25.9 cc 3). QOL at three months decreased in the SRS group by 0.1 (SD=0.2), compared to 0.2 (SD=0.2) in the WBRT group (p=0.23). The actuarial one-year survival rates were 57% (SRS) and 31% (WBRT) (p=0.52). The actuarial one-year brain salvage-free survival rates were 50% (SRS) and 78% (WBRT) (p=0.22). Conclusion In patients with 4 to 10 BM, SRS alone resulted in one-year survival for 57% of patients while maintaining quality of life. Due to the premature closure of the trial, no statistically significant differences could be determined.

Clinical and Quality of Life Differences in Patients with COPD With and Without a Background of Hospitalization in the Last Year

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-233
Author(s):  
Jhonatan Betancourt-Peña ◽  
Juan Carlos Ávila-Valencia ◽  
Jorge Karim Assis ◽  
David Alejandro Escobar-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Upward Trend ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Lower Socioeconomic ◽  
Causes Of Mortality

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. An upward trend is estimated by 2030. One of the causes of mortality is the exacerbations of symptoms that result in hospitalizations. These hospitalizations reduce the quality of life, limit performance in daily life, and increase the costs for the health system and the patient. Objective: This study aimed to determine the differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with a medical diagnosis of COPD, considering some sociodemographic and clinical variables, and survival rates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included patients diagnosed with COPD who initiated pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) from January to September 2018. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with one or more exacerbations that led to the hospitalization (COPD-H) and patients without hospitalizations in the last year (COPD-NH). Results: There were 128 participants (78 males and 50 females), with a mean age of 71.10±(9.34) in the COPD-H group and 71.30±(8.91) in the COPD-NH group. When comparing both groups, COPD-NH had a higher socioeconomic status (p=0.041), reporting a higher FEV1 44.71± (14.97), p=0.047, and comorbidities according to the COTE index (p<0.001). Conclusion: The patients with the highest number of hospitalizations belonged to a lower socioeconomic stratum and had a higher number of comorbidities. Therefore, it is necessary to identify these factors at the beginning of PR.

Strengthening the pharmacological potential of drug therapy in treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis by using therapeutic physical factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 8-14
Author(s):  
R. M. Mallaeva ◽  
A. N. Makhinko ◽  
M. B. Uzdenov
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pancreatitis ◽  
Drug Therapy ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Medical Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Pharmacological Potential

The purpose of the study is to improve rehabilitation treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) at inpatient stage by strengthening pharmacological potential of drug therapy due to inclusion of therapeutic physical factors (TPF) in therapeutic programs. Materials and methods. 159 patients with acute CP were observed. By simple randomization, 4 groups were formed: the control group (MG, 39 people) received standard drug therapy; 1st comparison group (GC1; 38 people) additionally received TPF; GC2 (40 people) in addition to treatment in GC1 had drinking mineral water «Slavyanovskaya»; in main group (42 people) in addition to the treatment in GC2 got preformed peloidotherapy on the cervical-collar zone. All the patients underwent the evaluation of clinical score and quality of life before and after medical rehabilitation. Results. In MG, clinical symptomatology leveling was by 78,2% (p<0,01), in GC1 — by 71,5% (p<0,01), GC2 — by 62,3% (p<0,01), CG — by 57,2% (p<0,01) on average immediately after the treatment, which was in a clear correlation with indicators of quality of life. In the long term (in 6 and 12 months), the advantage of combination therapy was noted with the same validity, the preservation of the achieved positive result was mostly noted in the MG: after 6 months the improvement in physical health compared to the initial values was noted by 34,4% (p<0,01), after 12 months — by 24,0% (p<0,05); mental — by 32,3% (p<0,01) and 22,5% (p<0,05), respectively. In both comparison groups, positive dynamics was 10–12% lower, and in the control group, after 6 months, there was only a tendency to improve quality of life indicators. Conclusion. The inclusion of TPF in the programs of the inpatient stage of medical rehabilitation of patients with chronic pancreatitis by strengthening the pharmacological potential of drug therapy contributes to the leveling of clinical manifestations (abdominal pain, dyspepsia and diarrhea), the result of which is an improvement in the quality of life of this category of patients.

scholarly journals Novel Reconstruction Using Roux-en-Y Plus Antral Obstruction Following Proximal Gastrectomy: Feasibility and Quality of Life Benefits

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejun Yang ◽  
Changming Wang ◽  
Hongbing Fu ◽  
Ziran Wei ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Reflux Esophagitis ◽  
Proximal Gastrectomy ◽  
Partial Gastrectomy ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Reflux Symptoms ◽  
Reconstruction Methods ◽  
Postoperative Reflux

Abstract Background and Aims Routine gastroesophagostomy has been shown to have adverse effects on the recovery of digestive functions and quality of life because patients typically experience reflux symptoms after proximal gastrectomy. This study was performed to assess the feasibility and quality of life benefits of a novel reconstruction method termed Roux-en-Y anastomosis plus antral obstruction (RYAO) following proximal partial gastrectomy. Methods A total of 73 patients who underwent proximal gastrectomy from June 2015 to June 2017 were divided into two groups according to digestive reconstruction methods [RYAO (37 patients) and conventional esophagogastric anastomosis with pyloroplasty (EGPP, 36 patients)]. Clinical data were compared between the two groups retrospectively. Results The mean operative time for digestive reconstruction was slightly longer in the RYAO group than in the EGPP group. However, the incidence of postoperative short-term complications did not differ between the RYAO and the EGPP groups. At the 6-month follow-up, the incidence rates of both reflux esophagitis and gastritis were lower in the RYAO group than in the EGPP group (P = 0.002). Additionally, body weight recovery was better in the RYAO group (P = 0.028). The scale tests indicated that compared with the patients in the EGPP group, the patients in the RYAO group had significantly reduced reflux, nausea and vomiting and reported improvements in their overall health status and quality of life (all P < 0.05). Conclusion RYAO reconstruction may be a feasible procedure to reduce postoperative reflux symptoms and the incidence of reflux esophagitis and gastritis, thus improving patient quality of life after proximal gastrectomy.

scholarly journals Assessment of quality of life in transfusion dependent thalassemic children - need to address parents/care givers

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Veeraraja B. Sathenahalli ◽  
G. R. Rajashekar Murthy ◽  
Netra Gouda ◽  
Sanjay K. Shivanna
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Functioning ◽  
Psychosocial Burden ◽  
Globin Chains ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
The Impact

Background: Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive congenital disease caused by the reduced or absent beta globin chain synthesis of hemoglobin tetramer. The degree of imbalance between alpha and non alpha globin chains determines the severity of clinical manifestations. The disabling nature of the disease and chronic therapy affects the normal life causing psychosocial burden. Overall patient’s life, such as education, free-time, physical activities, skills, capabilities, and family adjustment is affected. The effects of which often result in psychological, emotional and social compromise. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measurement is a multidimensional concept that focuses on the impact of the disease and its treatment on the well being of an individual.Methods: A descriptive observational hospital based study was conducted over a period of 3 months. Transfusion dependency in thalassemic children aged between 5 years and 18 years was the inclusion criteria. Thalassemic children having debilitating illnesses unrelated to thalassemia were excluded. Quality of life was assessed using Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0)4. The tool assesses the quality of life in five domains: physical functioning (PF: 8 items), psychosocial functioning (sum of emotional, social and school functioning), emotional functioning (EF: 5 items), social functioning (SF: 5 items) and school functioning (SC: 5 items).Results: Total of 125 children were enrolled with a mean age of 9.4±4.6 years (age range 5-18 yrs). According to the PedsQL questionnaire, the quality of life was similarly assessed by both parents and children. The total mean QoL score of the parents was 72.36±11.47 and of the children was 77.63±14.17. Emotional, school and psycho-social function were significantly affected according to both child and parents without statistical significance.Conclusions: Thalassaemia patients and their parents require lifelong psychological support for prevention of mental health issues. By increasing the awareness and knowledge levels of the parents, we can help sick children in developing countries to get the best care locally and to thus improve HRQoL.

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