scholarly journals Quality of life in thyroid cancer patients: a literature review

2017 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Bãrbuş ◽  
Claudiu Peştean ◽  
Maria Iulia Larg ◽  
Doina Piciu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Solid Base ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Patients With Cancer

Introduction. Quality of life (QoL) has received increasing interest in the last years, especially in patients with cancer. This article aims to analyze a selection of medical research papers regarding the quality of life in patients with thyroid carcinoma. We overviewed the main QoL aspects derived from several studies and highlighted those less researched issues, which could represent a solid base for future clinical studies.Method. We used an integrative selection method of medical literature, choosing mostly "free access" studies, as it was considered that they could be easily viewed, searched and researched including by patients.Results. After an integrative literature review, we selected 16 relevant studies. Patients with thyroid cancer have several factors influencing their QoL, with both physical and psychological impact. The decisive factors are the quality of the surgical act, radioiodine therapy, follow-up using rh-TSH vs. hormonal withdrawal, access to behavioral help and the relationship with their physician.Conclusion. We must understand the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis on the patient and we must collaborate in order to help the patient restore the psychosomatic balance and to recover the quality of life.

scholarly journals Managing Pain in Patients With Cancer: The Chinese Good Pain Management Experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi-Ying Yu ◽  
Jie-Jun Wang ◽  
Yu-guang Huang ◽  
Bing Hu ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Drug Dose ◽  
Dose Titration ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Opioid Drugs

Purpose The number of cancer cases in China has increased rapidly from 2.1 million in 2000 to 4.3 million in 2015. As a consequence, pain management as an integral part of cancer treatment became an important health care issue. In March 2011, the Good Pain Management (GPM) program was launched to standardize the treatment of cancer pain and improve the quality of life for patients with cancer. With this work, we will describe the GPM program, its implementation experience, and highlight key lessons that can improve pain management for patients with cancer. Methods We describe procedures for the selection, implementation, and assessment procedures for model cancer wards. We analyzed published results in areas of staff training and patient education, pain management in practice, analgesic drugs administration, and patient follow-up and satisfaction. Results Pain management training enabled medical staff to accurately assess the level of pain and to provide effective pain relief through timely dispensation of medication. Patients with good knowledge of treatment of pain were able to overcome their aversion to opioid drugs and cooperate with nursing staff on pain assessment to achieve effective drug dose titration. Consumption of strong opioid drugs increased significantly; however, there was no change for weaker opioids. Higher pain remission rates were achieved for patients with moderate-to-severe pain levels. Proper patient follow-up after discharge enabled improved outcomes to be maintained. Conclusion The GPM program has instituted a consistent and high standard of care for pain management at cancer wards and improved the quality of life for patients with cancer.

scholarly journals Efficacy of naloxegol on symptoms and quality of life related to opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: a 3-month follow-up analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002249
Author(s):  
Manuel Cobo Dols ◽  
Carmen Beato Zambrano ◽  
Luis Cabezón Gutiérrez ◽  
Rodolfo Chicas Sett ◽  
María Isabel Blancas López-Barajas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Inadequate Response ◽  
Patient Assessment ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Bowel Movements

ObjectivesOpioid-induced constipation (OIC) can affect up to 63% of all patients with cancer. The objectives of this study were to assess quality of life as well as efficacy and safety of naloxegol, in patients with cancer with OIC.MethodsAn observational study was made of a cohort of patients with cancer and with OIC exhibiting an inadequate response to laxatives and treated with naloxegol. The sample consisted of adult outpatients with a Karnofsky performance status score ≥50. The Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAC-QOL) and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) were applied for 3 months.ResultsA total of 126 patients (58.2% males) with a mean age of 61.3 years (range 34–89) were included. Clinically relevant improvements (>0.5 points) were recorded in the PAC-QOL and PAC-SYM questionnaires (p<0.0001) from 15 days of treatment. The number of days a week with complete spontaneous bowel movements increased significantly (p<0.0001) from 2.4 to 4.6 on day 15, 4.7 after 1 month and 5 after 3 months. Pain control significantly improved (p<0.0001) during follow-up. A total of 13.5% of the patients (17/126) presented some gastrointestinal adverse reaction, mostly of mild (62.5%) or moderate intensity (25%).ConclusionsClinically relevant improvements in OIC-related quality of life, number of bowel movements and constipation-related symptoms were recorded as early as after 15 days of treatment with naloxegol in patients with cancer and OIC, with a good safety profile.

Pulmonary lymphangitis and cancer: Prospective series of 37 patients in palliative care

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 18600-18600 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Dettino ◽  
E. M. Negri ◽  
T. Pagano
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Primary Tumors ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
The Moment ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Minor Criteria

18600 Background: Lymphangitis of the lungs is an uncommon type of metastasis, mainly in breast, lung and gastric cancers, and has major impact in quality of life and an unfavorable prognosis. Survival is very poor: 50% in 3 and 15% in 6 months. Our objective was to evaluate prospectively quality of life in cancer patients with pulmonary lymphangitis, under palliative care. Methods: Patients with pulmonary lymphangitis, diagnosed either by lung biopsy (major criteria) or 3 minor criteria (cyto or histotologically proven cancer, clinical picture and image exam) were followed in 3 tertiary services, in a cohort series study. Primary end point was quality of life (QoL), measured with questionnaires in the beginning of the study and monthly afterwards (Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire -SGRQ- and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey -SF36). Clinical and complementary aspects were also followed, in addition to treatment and outcome. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included from Aug/2004 to Jan/2006 - 23 female and 14 male; age from 41 to 84 (mean: 62) years. Primary tumors were: lung (20), breast (11), esophagus (2), pancreas, rectum and bone. Of those patients, 33 were able to respond QoL questionnaires in the beginning of follow-up and monthly thereafter. Median follow-up was of one month (range: 0–13); at the moment, 9 patients are still alive. Median survival was 2.5 months (range: 0,1–33), with 38% with a survival of at least 6 months. In general, QoL was poor, but improved after palliative care. Notice that values get higher as QoL improves in SF-36; however, they get lower as QoL improves in SGRQ - values were 61.5, 50.5, 61.7, and 47.5% for SGRQ and 38.1, 32.1, 32.8, 61.6 for SF36 in 0, 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively. Palliative care included: corticosteroids (65%), oxygen (51%), opioids (51%), diuretics (47%), inhalations with beta2-agonists and/or ipatropium (57%), chemo and/or hormonotherapy (51%), physical therapy (43%), antidepressants and benzodiazepines (37% each), thoracocentesis (35%), and blood transfusions. Conclusions: Even though QoL is poor and survival is short for patients with cancer lymphangitis in lungs, some improvement is possible with active palliative care. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparison of four strategies of follow-up in thyroid cancer patients: A cost-utility analysis

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6606-6606
Author(s):  
G. de Pouvourville ◽  
I. Borget ◽  
M. Allyn ◽  
M. Schlumberger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Cost Utility Analysis ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Utility Analysis

6606 Background: In thyroid cancer patients, follow-up is designed to detect recurrent disease and consists of neck- ultrasonography (US), thyroglobulin measurement (Tg) and radioiodine whole body scan (WBS). Recent guidelines have restricted the use of WBS to suspicious cases. To insure diagnostic accuracy, follow-up control requires TSH stimulation, either with thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or rhTSH, which have demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy. THW induces significant morbidity associated with hypothyroidism, leading to a decrease in patient quality of life and ability to work, whereas rhTSH is an innovative costly drug that avoids such patient burden. A societal cost-utility analysis was conducted to compare 4 follow-up strategies, combining a method of stimulation (rhTSH or THW) and a testing protocol (US+Tg+WBS or US+Tg alone). Methods: A Markov model was built to describe the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients first treated by thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation, over 5 years. Estimates for diagnostic accuracy values and recurrence rate were extracted from a French multicenter randomized trial. Costs were computed from the perspective of the society, including medical resources consumed (hospitalisation, rhTSH, tests, treatment of recurrence). The model also incorporated the benefits of rhTSH in terms of quality of life (utility scores derived from SF36) and the reduction in duration and overall cost of sick leave. Results: Among the 753 patients included, 13 patients presented recurrence. rhTSH stimulation resulted in a higher utility score (0.802 vs. 0.637) over the period of stimulation and a reduction of 1083 € of absenteeism costs in active patients. As compared to the THW+Tg+US+WBS strategy, the incremental cost-utility ratios (ICER) showed economic dominance for the rhTSH strategies with ratios of −16,876 and −19,297 €/QALY with and without WBS respectively. The ICER for the strategy THW+US+Tg reached 29,333 €/QALY, as compared to THW+Tg+US+WBS strategy. Conclusions: the recommended strategy combining Tg determination and US after rhTSH stimulation appears the most cost-effective in the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients, as it is the strategy the less costly and associated with improved patient quality of life. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Oncologist liaison: Satisfaction and symptoms in cancer long survivors.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 251-251
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier García Navalón ◽  
Rosa Monfort García ◽  
Alberto Jacobo Cunquero Tomás ◽  
Gerardo Antonio Umanzor Funez ◽  
Virginia Palomar Coloma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Premature Ejaculation ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Appetite Loss ◽  
Residual Symptoms ◽  
Employment Impact ◽  
Musculoskeletal Problems ◽  
Prevalence Of Cancer

251 Background: Each year, the prevalence of cancer long survivors (CLS) increases; defined as a person who after five years of diagnosis and treatment is free from disease. Health problems faced by these patients are different from those in general population. Because of that, our service launched in 2007 the figure of the Oncologist Liaison, which acts as a link, and is responsible for assessing these Patients at Specialty Centers. Methods: 238 questionnaires, answered by CLS, were collected between January 2013 and April 2014. Variables of interest were collected by a 18-item questionnaire, designed to assess the aftermath of treatment, socio-emotional impact and employment impact. To assess the performance, methods of descriptive statistics have been used. Results: 90.6% of CLS believe that Oncologist Liaison improves their quality of life, with a decrease in anxiety in 80% of them. 52% of the patients (124) have residual symptoms, being the most frequent asthenia (27.6%). The most prominent symptoms were neurological, such as insomnia (16.5%), anxiety (17.4%) and depression (12.2%). Musculoskeletal problems included myalgia (29.5%), arthralgia (27.5%) and paresthesias (18.3%). Cancer and its treatment have a great impact in sexuality, affecting the 35% of the patients: 24'6% have sexual appetite loss and 7.5% dyspareunia; 10.5% of the men refer impotence and premature ejaculation 5% of them; 28.5% of the women referred vaginal dryness. Conclusions: First, more than half of our patients presented residual symptoms; reporting 90% of them improvement in quality of life related to surveillance. Second, it is necessary to create in our Medical Oncology Services a professional dedicated to coordinate the scientific and organizational aspects necessary for a good follow-up of CLS.

Measuring Financial Distress and Quality of Life Over Time in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer—Making the Case to Screen Early in the Treatment Course

2021 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00907
Author(s):  
Margaret I. Liang ◽  
Sarah S. Summerlin ◽  
Christina T. Blanchard ◽  
Teresa K. L. Boitano ◽  
Warner K. Huh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Repeated Analysis ◽  
Over Time

PURPOSE: Our objective was to measure the trajectory of financial distress and to determine its relationship with quality of life (QOL) among patients with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal survey of patients with gynecologic cancer starting a new line of systemic therapy at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Financial distress was measured using a Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) < 26, and QOL was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) with lower scores indicating worse responses. One-way repeated analysis of variances, generalized estimating equation models, and correlation coefficients were used to evaluate financial distress and QOL over time. RESULTS: There were 90 of 121 (74%) baseline participants with a 6-month follow-up. The average age was 60 years, 29% were African-American, 57% had an annual income < $40,000 in US dollars, and 6% were uninsured. At baseline, 54% of patients screened positive for financial distress, which was unchanged at 3 months (50%, P = .27) but decreased at 6 months (46%, P = .04) compared with baseline. There was no change in average COST (23.6, 25.1, 25.6; P = .33) or FACT-G (70.8, 71.0, 72.8; P = .68) over time. Less financial distress was moderately correlated with better QOL (r = 0.63, 0.61, 0.60) at each time point. The presence of financial distress was associated with a 16-point decrease in FACT-G QOL score over time. CONCLUSION: Upfront screening with COST identified 90% of patients who experienced financial distress, and COST did not change significantly over time. More severe financial distress was moderately correlated with worse QOL, and its presence was associated with a clinically meaningful 16-point decrease in QOL.

Effect of Telephone Follow-up on the Physical Well-Being Dimension of Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1301-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnny Beney ◽  
E. Beth Devine ◽  
Valby Chow ◽  
Robert J. Ignoffo ◽  
Lisa Mitsunaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Patients With Cancer

scholarly journals Family Preparedness in Caring Patients with Cancer : A Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-152
Author(s):  
Akbar U Saun ◽  
Erna Rochmawati
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Family Quality Of Life ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Optimal Care ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Family Readiness ◽  
At Home

Background: Cancer patients choose to understand at home. Families have an important role in the care of clients specifically at home. Readiness is needed in order to provide optimal care and will be able to improve the quality of life of patients. This literature review aims to see how families are prepared to care for patients with cancer at home. Method: Writing this journal literature uses study literature originating from the database, namely EBSCO, PROQUEST, PubMed, and Google Scholar using the keywords Family Preparedness, Family Caregiver, Symptom Management, Palliative Care, family quality of life, Care Parenting. Using inclusion criteria that contain literature sources taken from 2009 to 2019, inclusion criteria, using English, conformity of approval keywords, linkages between the results of literature research and the discussion raised.Results: There are 4 themes found in this literature review, namely family care in patient care, instruments in measuring family readiness, self-affection for families who care for patients at home, and psycho-education in increasing family readiness to care for patients at home. Conclusion: Family readiness to treat patients at home needs to be considered. Nurses play an important role in providing education to the family in providing patient care at home so that the patient's welfare is fulfilled.

scholarly journals Protocol for the BRECAR study: a prospective cohort follow-up on the impact of breast reconstruction timing on health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e018108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Herrera de la Muela ◽  
Enrique García López ◽  
Laura Frías Aldeguer ◽  
Paloma Gómez-Campelo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
La Paz ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe completion of postmastectomy breast reconstruction (BR) in women with breast cancer can last from months to years, and to our knowledge, there is a lack of studies that analyse how the different types and times of reconstruction impact on the patient’s quality of life and psychosocial adjustment.The primary aim of the BREast Cancer Reconstruction (BRECAR Study) is twofold. First, to describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL), overall satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact (body image, self-esteem, depression and anxiety) on women who will have undergone a mastectomy with planned BR, considering the varied timing of BR procedures (immediate BR (iBR), delayed BR (dBR) and two-stage BR (2sBR)). To measure the impact on surgical outcomes, we will obtain data prior to and after surgery (6–9 and at 18 months of follow-up). Second, to analyse sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors associated with HRQoL, satisfaction with surgery and psychological impact.Methods and analysisA prospective, observational, clinical cohort study of women diagnosed with breast cancer who have an indication for mastectomy treated at La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).Patients will be classified into one of three groups under conditions of routine clinical practice, based on the type of BR planned: the iBR group, the dBR group and the 2sBR group.Under typical clinical practice conditions, we will perform three visits: baseline visit (presurgery), V1 (6–9 months after diagnosis) and V2 (18 months after diagnosis). A sample size of 210 patients is estimated.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol and informed consent form have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of La Paz Hospital (no. PI-2036). Dissemination of results will be via journal articles and conference presentations.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer: A Longitudinal Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 652-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Husson ◽  
Brad J. Zebrack ◽  
Rebecca Block ◽  
Leanne Embry ◽  
Christine Aguilar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Population Norms ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Purpose To examine changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its predictors during the first 2 years after initial cancer diagnosis in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. Patients and Methods A multicenter, longitudinal, prospective study was conducted among a diverse sample of AYA patients with cancer ages 15 to 39 years. One hundred seventy-six patients (75% response) completed a self-report measure of HRQoL (Short Form-36 [SF-36]) within the first 4 months after diagnosis and again 12 and 24 months later. Linear mixed models with random intercepts and slopes estimated changes in QoL. Results Recently diagnosed AYA patients with cancer had significantly worse physical component scale (PCS) scores (38.7 v 52.8; P < .001) and mental component scale (MCS) scores (42.9 v 48.9; P < .001) when compared with population norms. Significant improvements in PCS and MCS scores from baseline to 24-month follow-up were observed; however, these increases were largest during the first 12 months. At the 24-month follow-up, AYA patients still had significantly lower PCS scores (48.0 v 52.8; P < .001) and MCS scores (45.8 v 48.9; P = .002) when compared with population norms. Multivariable analyses revealed that improvements in PCS and MCS scores were primarily a function of being off-treatment and being involved in school or work. PCS but not MCS scores were worse for AYA patients diagnosed with cancers with poorer prognoses. Conclusion Although HRQoL improved over time, it was still compromised 24 months after primary diagnosis. Given relatively little observed improvement in HRQoL during the 12- to 24-month period after diagnosis, AYA patients may benefit from supportive care interventions administered during the second year after diagnosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document