scholarly journals Can Integrative Oncology Increase Adherence to Chemotherapy in Advanced Gynecologic Cancer?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eran Ben-Arye ◽  
Naama Nijk ◽  
Ofer Lavie ◽  
Orit Gressel ◽  
Elad Schiff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemotherapy Regimen ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Dose Intensity ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Integrative Oncology ◽  
Chemotherapy Agent ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Baseline Demographic

Abstract Objective Integrative oncology (IO) has been shown to improve quality-of-life (QoL) and increase adherence to planned chemotherapy regimens. This study examined the impact of a patient-tailored IO program on adherence to chemotherapy among patients with advanced gynecological cancer. Methods This prospective pragmatic study examined patients with stage III/IV gynecological cancers undergoing 6 weeks of weekly IO treatments. Adherence to the planned chemotherapy regimen was assessed using the relative dose intensity (RDI) calculation. Patients consistently attending IO treatments (consistent-IO group) were compared to those who were not (non-consistent IO group). Results RDI was calculated for 73 patients in the consistent-IO group (99 chemotherapy cycles) and 61 in the non-consistent-IO group (96 cycles with IO care, 126 cycles without). Both groups had similar baseline demographic characteristics, with endometrial cancer more prevalent in the consistent-IO group. RDI was significantly less reduced in the consistent-IO chemotherapy group (p = 0.005). During taxane-based regimens RDI was better maintained in the consistent-IO group (0.93 vs. 0.87, p = 0.012), though not with platinum-based cycles. Linear regression model found a correlation between preserved RDI and consistent attendance at weekly IO treatments, and lower rates of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and pain. Conclusion Patient-tailored IO programs for patients with advanced gynecological cancer may help preserve adherence to chemotherapy at 6 weeks, especially with taxane-based regimens. Further research needs to explore whether this correlation is chemotherapy agent-specific.

Effect of a Complementary/Integrative Medicine Treatment Program on Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Brief Report

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eran Ben-Arye ◽  
Yaron River ◽  
Yael Keshet ◽  
Ofer Lavie ◽  
Pesi Israeli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Moderate Improvement ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivePeripheral neuropathy is a common complication of cancer treatment impairing quality of life and function. This study explored the impact of a complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) program on taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN).Materials and MethodsTaxane-treated female patients with breast and gynecological cancer reporting TIPN-related symptoms were referred to an integrative physician, followed by patient-tailored CIM treatments (acupuncture with/without other modalities). Assessment of study outcomes at 6 to 12 weeks was conducted using the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing, which documented free-text narratives about patients’ experience during the CIM treatment process. Content was analyzed using ATLAS.Ti software.ResultsOf the 125 patients treated with taxanes, 69 had been referred for CIM treatment of TIPN-associated symptoms. Multidisciplinary narrative analysis identified 2 groups of CIM-treated patients: those with an apparently moderate improvement in symptoms (n = 35) and those with either only an apparent mild or no improvement at all. For 10 patients, assessment of their response to treatment was unclear. The 2 identified groups had similar demographic, cancer-related, and quality of life–related parameters at baseline. Content analysis of patients with an apparent moderate improvement suggested a short-term (24–48 hours) effect with acupuncture treatment, either alone or combined with manual, mind-body, and anthroposophic music therapies. Symptoms showing improvement included paresthesia and numbness.ConclusionsAcupuncture and other CIM therapies may result in a short-term and transitory reduction in TIPN-related symptoms.

The Effect of Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block on Gynecologic Cancer-Related Lymphedema

2013 ◽  
Vol 4;16 (4;7) ◽  
pp. 345-352
Author(s):  
Hahck Soo Park
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Conservative Treatment ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Pain Score ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Sympathetic Ganglion ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Ganglion Block

Background: Eighteen to 25% of patients after gynecological cancer treatment suffer from lower limb lymphedema (LLL) that decreases the quality of life of gynecological cancer survivors. Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB) is widely used in practice for the evaluation and management of sympathetically mediated pain in the lower limbs. Several articles have suggested that sympathetic ganglion block could be an effective treatment for lymphedema. Objectives: To investigate the effect of LSGB on patients with secondary lymphedema related to the treatment of gynecologic cancer, who do not respond to a conservative treatment. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: A single academic medical center, outpatient setting. Methods: Eighteen patients with stage II lower limb lymphedema who did not response to the conservative treatment were recruited. The patients underwent fluoroscopy-guided LSGB 3 times at 2-week intervals. The circumference of the thigh and calf was measured in the upright position at the first visit and 2 weeks after each session of LSGB. The pain score of the lower limb was checked at the same time by a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10. The patients were asked about their satisfaction with the procedure at the last follow-up visit. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis. Significance was accepted at a P-value less than 0.05/3. Results: The circumferences of affected thighs and calves decreased from 56.38 ± 4.77 and 35.33 ± 3.51cm to 54.42 ± 5.27 and 34.41 ± 3.35cm, respectively, in a significant manner after 3 consecutive LSGBs (P < 0.05/3). The maximal decrease after the third LSGB was 4 cm in the thigh and 2cm in the calf. The pain score also showed a significant decrease after 3 consecutive LSGBs from 2.17 to 1.28. The tightness and heaviness of the affected limb decreased after the first LSGB in 15 patients (83.3%) and after the second LSGB in 2 patients (11.1%). Five of 18 patients (27.8%) answered that the result of the LSGB met their expectations, 10 (55.6%) answered they would undergo the same treatment for the same outcome, 2 (11.1%) answered they did not improve as much as they had hoped, and they would not undergo the same treatment for the same outcome, and only one patient (5.6%) answered the LSGB showed no effect. Limitations: This study lacks a placebo control group and has only 18 patients. We did not evaluate the quality of life of the patients. Conclusion: We suggest that LSGB can be one of the treatment options for patients suffering from LLL after gynecologic cancer treatment. Our result could provide a basis for a randomized controlled trial in future investigations. The pain physicians can play an important role as one of the multidisciplinary team for a comprehensive treatment of LLL. Key words: Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block;gynecologic cancer;lymphedema

The impact of treatment for gynecological cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQoL): A systematic review

2006 ◽  
Vol 194 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina L. Jones ◽  
William Ledger ◽  
Tessa J. Bonnett ◽  
Stephen Radley ◽  
Nancy Parkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The Effect of Art Therapy in Women with Gynecologic Cancer: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Wenjing Fu ◽  
Yan Huang ◽  
Xing Liu ◽  
Jianhua Ren ◽  
Mengqin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Art Therapy ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Psychological Outcome ◽  
Rigorous Research

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence of art therapy on the psychological outcome, quality of life (QOL), and cancer-related symptoms in women with gynecological cancer. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted. The randomized controlled trials, quasiexperimental studies, case reports, and qualitative studies were all included. Result. 1,587 articles were retrieved. A total of 9 articles met the inclusion criteria. The existing studies provided initial evidence to suggest that art therapy may benefit gynecological cancer patients with respect to improving psychological outcome and QOL, reducing fatigue related to cancer, and improving subjective overall health condition. However, the quality of the current evidence limits the efficacy of these findings. Conclusion. Research on art therapy of gynecologic cancer patients is insufficient. We cannot draw the conclusion that art therapy benefits gynecological cancer patients in the psychological outcome, QOL, and cancer-related symptoms. More rigorous research is needed.

scholarly journals Impact of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting on Quality of Life in Indonesian Patients With Gynecologic Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dyah Aryani Perwitasari ◽  
Jarir Atthobari ◽  
Mustofa Mustofa ◽  
Iwan Dwiprahasto ◽  
Mohammad Hakimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Nausea And Vomiting ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Delayed Emesis ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Delayed Nausea ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) has become a major outcome in the treatment of patients with cancer. This study is aimed at examining the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on QoL of patients with gynecologic cancer in Indonesia.MethodsChemotherapy-naive patients with gynecologic cancer, who were treated with cisplatin at a dosage 50 mg/m2or higher as monotherapy or as part of combination chemotherapy regimens, were recruited in the Oncology Department, Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Quality of life was assessed by using the Indonesian version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer of Quality of Life Questionnaire and Short Form-36, administered immediately before and on day 5 after chemotherapy administration. Patients used a daily diary to record nausea and vomiting during 5 days after chemotherapy.ResultsMost (74.9%) of the 179 patients experienced delayed emesis during the 5 days after chemotherapy despite prophylactic use of antiemetics. The delayed nausea and emesis caused significant negative impact on patients’ QoL. Nausea in the delayed phase caused negative effects on patients’ QoL.ConclusionsPatients reported a negative impact on the QoL of delayed emesis after chemotherapy. Poor prophylaxis of patients’ nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy interferes with patients’ QoL. Medical and behavioral interventions may help to alleviate the negative consequences of chemotherapeutic treatment in patients with gynecologic cancers treated with suboptimal antiemetics.

scholarly journals Quality-of-life outcomes in patients with gynecologic cancer referred to integrative oncology treatment during chemotherapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 3411-3419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eran Ben-Arye ◽  
Noah Samuels ◽  
Elad Schiff ◽  
Orit Gressel Raz ◽  
Ilanit Shalom Sharabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Life Outcomes ◽  
Integrative Oncology ◽  
Quality Of Life Outcomes ◽  
Oncology Treatment

Using the Risk Assessment Index to predict mortality and quality of life in breast and gynecologic cancer patients.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 239-239
Author(s):  
Ellen Ormond ◽  
Jeffrey Borrebach ◽  
Stefanie C Altieri Dunn ◽  
Andrew Bilderback ◽  
G J. Van Londen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Hospital Utilization ◽  
Assessment Index ◽  
Frail Patients ◽  
Breast And Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Patients

239 Background: Cancer patients vary considerably in health status making it challenging to evaluate the risk of complications from cancer treatment. To aid oncologists in identifying patients with highest risk for adverse outcomes, we investigated the Risk Assessment Index (RAI), a validated tool used to assess frailty in patients prior to elective surgery. We assessed whether the RAI could serve to predict mortality, hospital utilization, and quality of life in cancer patients. Methods: Participants were breast and gynecological cancer patients treated at UPMC Magee Women’s Cancer Center who completed the RAI between July 2016 and December 2017. Patients completed patient reported outcomes (PROs) during each visit including the Short Form (SF)-12, Edmonton Symptom Assessment, anxiety and depression screens, and MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) and were analyzed up to 180 days from the RAI date. Mortality was assessed at 90, 180, and 365-day intervals, and hospital utilization was assessed within 90-days of RAI. Results: There were 1,764 unique breast and gynecological cancer patients. Significant correlations between the RAI and mortality were observed for both groups with frail patients having higher rates of mortality at each interval. Frailty was associated with higher rates of hospitalization compared to non-frail patients (31% vs 20%, p = 0.05 & 50% vs 34%, p = 0.02 for breast and gynecologic patients, respectively). Frailty correlated with fair/poor ratings on the SF-12 for breast and gynecologic patients (r = 0.13, p = 0.01; r = 0.37 p < 0.001, respectively). On the Edmonton, frailty correlated with lower ratings of well-being in breast cancer patients (r = 0.11, p = 0.012) and higher symptom burden in gynecological patients (r = 0.23, p = 0.01). No correlations were observed between the RAI and anxiety or depression. For gynecologic patients, there were significant correlations between the RAI and MDASI with frail patients having higher rates of pain, fatigue, appetite, diarrhea, and memory. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the RAI is correlated with mortality, self-reported quality of life, and hospitalizations in breast and gynecologic cancer patients. Using this tool to risk-stratify patients may help to guide shared decision-making discussions and provide appropriate treatment and/or supportive services for this vulnerable population.

The Exploration of Health-Related Quality of Life

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Fen Wu ◽  
Hong-Yi Tong ◽  
Yuen-Yee kan ◽  
Sheng-Hui Su ◽  
Meng-Chi Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Symptom Distress ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Eortc Qlq ◽  
Distress Scale

The purpose of this study was to explore quality of life (QoL) and the factors influencing QoL in gynecological cancer patients. One hundred sixty-seven patients with gynecologic cancers were recruited from a district hospital in Southern Taiwan. The instruments used included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 Version 3.0 in Chinese (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Symptom Distress Scale, and demographic characteristics and disease-related variables. The results showed that the mean score for the QLQ-C30 was 61.13 ( SD = 22.71). In the stepwise regression model, two factors predicted overall global QoL: symptom distress (33.8%) and current occupation (2.2%). These predictors accounted for 36.0% of the total variance. These results showed that symptom distress was a predictor of QoL. This study provides a reference for use when designing improved educational care programs that reduce patient symptom distress and enhance gynecologic cancer patients’ QoL.

scholarly journals Exploration the Quality of Life and the related factors in women with recent diagnosis of gynecological cancer, before the surgical treatment, in Greece

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Georgia Fasoi ◽  
Maria Bourazani ◽  
Dimitris Papatheodorou ◽  
Eugenia Vlachou ◽  
Georgia Toylia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Gynecological Cancer ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
P Value ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Recent Diagnosis

Introduction: In Greece, it is estimated that annually 600 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed, being the third most common form of cancer in women after breast cancer (22.9%) and colon cancer (9.4%).In addition to being life-threatening, such a diagnosis can also represent the psychological impact of gynecological cancers; there are negative emotional consequences of such a diagnosis for both patients and their families affecting the quality of life (QOL) of patients with gynecological cancer.Aim: To examine the quality of life (QOL) of women with recent diagnosis of gynecologic cancer (RDGC) in Greece during their illness and to identify the psychosocial problems and the symptoms faced by women in the early stages of the disease.Material and Method: A prospective study of 63 patients with RDGC before undergoing hysterectomy, who completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.Results: The patients were between 45 and 50 years old (19.6%). Impaired physical functioning of women with RDGC was associated with strenuous activity or a long walk. Emotionally, patients showed a lack of concentration, tension, anxiety, irritation and depression. Age was negatively correlated with depression (p-value = 0.05<0.1). More than half of women had pain and few of them suffered a lot. Pain, shortness of breath (dyspnea) and fatigue caused discomfort and interference with daily living activities. More than half had sleeping disorders. Constipation and lack of appetite were common symptoms of the digestive system. Most women had no social or financial problems and rated their quality of life “very good”.Conclusions: Women with a RDGC, besides the common physical symptoms such as fatigue, pain, anorexia, sleep disorders and loss of appetite, had also emotional disorders. The feeling of depression was present in most patients. It was found that the younger the patient, the more depressed they feel.

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