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Fallon MT, Caraceni A, Laird BJA, Kaasa S. Reply to the Letter to the Editor "A simple way of doing the complex but utmost important things: cancer pain management" by S. Singhal, M. Verma and D. Kukreja. Ann Oncol 2023; 34:496-497. [PMID: 37121609 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M T Fallon
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - A Caraceni
- Department of Palliative Care, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - B J A Laird
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - S Kaasa
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Mercadante S, Caraceni A, Cuomo A, Mammucari M, Marchetti P, Mediati RD, Natoli S, Tonini G. Breakthrough pain in patients with multiple myeloma: a secondary analysis of IOPS MS study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27:1134-1139. [PMID: 36808361 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202302_31219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to characterize breakthrough pain (BTcP) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a secondary analysis of a large multicenter study of patients with BTcP. Background pain intensity and opioid doses were recorded. The BTcP characteristics, including the number of BTcP episodes, intensity, onset, duration, predictability, and interference with daily activities were recorded. Opioids prescribed for BTcP, time to achieve a meaningful pain relief after taking a medication, adverse effects, and patients' satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS Fifty-four patients with MM were examined. In comparison with other tumors, in patients with MM BTcP was more predictable (p=0.04), with the predominant trigger being the physical activity (p<0.001). Other BTcP characteristics, pattern of opioids used for background pain and BTcP, satisfaction and adverse effects did not differ. CONCLUSIONS Patients with MM have their own peculiarities. Given the peculiar involvement of the skeleton, BTcP was highly predictable and triggered by movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mercadante
- Anesthesia and Intensive Care and Pain Relief and Supportive Care, La Maddalena Cancer Center, Palermo, Italy.
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Stacchiotti S, Miah AB, Frezza AM, Messiou C, Morosi C, Caraceni A, Antonescu CR, Bajpai J, Baldini E, Bauer S, Biagini R, Bielack S, Blay JY, Bonvalot S, Boukovinas I, Bovee JVMG, Boye K, Brodowicz T, Callegaro D, De Alava E, Deoras-Sutliff M, Dufresne A, Eriksson M, Errani C, Fedenko A, Ferraresi V, Ferrari A, Fletcher CDM, Garcia Del Muro X, Gelderblom H, Gladdy RA, Gouin F, Grignani G, Gutkovich J, Haas R, Hindi N, Hohenberger P, Huang P, Joensuu H, Jones RL, Jungels C, Kasper B, Kawai A, Le Cesne A, Le Grange F, Leithner A, Leonard H, Lopez Pousa A, Martin Broto J, Merimsky O, Merriam P, Miceli R, Mir O, Molinari M, Montemurro M, Oldani G, Palmerini E, Pantaleo MA, Patel S, Piperno-Neumann S, Raut CP, Ravi V, Razak ARA, Reichardt P, Rubin BP, Rutkowski P, Safwat AA, Sangalli C, Sapisochin G, Sbaraglia M, Scheipl S, Schöffski P, Strauss D, Strauss SJ, Sundby Hall K, Tap WD, Trama A, Tweddle A, van der Graaf WTA, Van De Sande MAJ, Van Houdt W, van Oortmerssen G, Wagner AJ, Wartenberg M, Wood J, Zaffaroni N, Zimmermann C, Casali PG, Dei Tos AP, Gronchi A. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, an ultra-rare cancer: a consensus paper from the community of experts. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100170. [PMID: 34090171 PMCID: PMC8182432 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an ultra-rare, translocated, vascular sarcoma. EHE clinical behavior is variable, ranging from that of a low-grade malignancy to that of a high-grade sarcoma and it is marked by a high propensity for systemic involvement. No active systemic agents are currently approved specifically for EHE, which is typically refractory to the antitumor drugs used in sarcomas. The degree of uncertainty in selecting the most appropriate therapy for EHE patients and the lack of guidelines on the clinical management of the disease make the adoption of new treatments inconsistent across the world, resulting in suboptimal outcomes for many EHE patients. To address the shortcoming, a global consensus meeting was organized in December 2020 under the umbrella of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) involving >80 experts from several disciplines from Europe, North America and Asia, together with a patient representative from the EHE Group, a global, disease-specific patient advocacy group, and Sarcoma Patient EuroNet (SPAEN). The meeting was aimed at defining, by consensus, evidence-based best practices for the optimal approach to primary and metastatic EHE. The consensus achieved during that meeting is the subject of the present publication. This consensus paper provides key recommendations on the management of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). Recommendations followed a consensus meeting between experts and a representative of the EHE advocacy group and SPAEN. Authorship includes a multidisciplinary group of experts from different institutions from Europe, North America and Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stacchiotti
- Adult Mesenchymal Tumor and Rare Cancer Unit, Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - A B Miah
- The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - A M Frezza
- Adult Mesenchymal Tumor and Rare Cancer Unit, Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - C Messiou
- Department of Radiology, The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - C Morosi
- Radiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - C R Antonescu
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA
| | - J Bajpai
- Medical Oncology Department, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - E Baldini
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Center/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - S Bauer
- Department of Medical Oncology, West German Cancer Center, Sarcoma Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - R Biagini
- Orthopaedic Department, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - S Bielack
- Klinikum Stuttgart - Olgahospital, Zentrum für Kinder-, Jugend- und Frauenmedizin, Stuttgart Cancer Center, Pädiatrische Onkologie, Hämatologie, Immunologie, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - J Y Blay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, Unicancer, Lyon, France
| | - S Bonvalot
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Institut Curie, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, Paris, France
| | | | - J V M G Bovee
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - K Boye
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - T Brodowicz
- Medical University Vienna & General Hospital Department of Internal Medicine 1/Oncology, Vienna, Austria
| | - D Callegaro
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - E De Alava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IBiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital/CSIC/University of Sevilla/CIBERONC, Seville, Spain; Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | | | - A Dufresne
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Leon Berard, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, Unicancer, Lyon, France
| | - M Eriksson
- Department of Oncology, Skane University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - C Errani
- Orthopaedic Service, Musculoskeletal Oncology Department, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - A Fedenko
- Medical Oncology Division, P.A. Herzen Cancer Research Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - V Ferraresi
- Sarcomas and Rare Tumors Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - A Ferrari
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - C D M Fletcher
- Department of Pathology Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - X Garcia Del Muro
- University of Barcelona and Genitourinary Cancer and Sarcoma Unit Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R A Gladdy
- University of Toronto and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - F Gouin
- Department of Surgery, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France
| | - G Grignani
- Division of Medical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - J Gutkovich
- The EHE Foundation, Wisconsin, USA; NUY Langone Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - R Haas
- Department of Radiotherapy, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiotherapy, the Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - N Hindi
- Group of Advanced Therapies and Biomarkers in Sarcoma, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS, HUVR, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla), Seville, Spain
| | - P Hohenberger
- Division of Surgical Oncology & Thoracic Surgery, Mannheim University Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - P Huang
- Division of Molecular Pathology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - H Joensuu
- Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital & Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - R L Jones
- Department of Cancer, The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - C Jungels
- Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - B Kasper
- University of Heidelberg, Mannheim University Medical Center, Sarcoma Unit, Mannheim, Germany
| | - A Kawai
- Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Rare Cancer Center National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - A Le Cesne
- International Department, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - F Le Grange
- UCLH - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - A Leithner
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - H Leonard
- Chair of Trustees of the EHE Rare Cancer Charity (UK), Charity number 1162472
| | - A Lopez Pousa
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Martin Broto
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jimenez Diaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - O Merimsky
- Unit of Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology, Division of Oncology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated with Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - P Merriam
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - R Miceli
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organisation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - O Mir
- Sarcoma Group, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - M Molinari
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Thomas Starzl Transplant Institute, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - G Oldani
- Division of Abdominal Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - E Palmerini
- Chemotherapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - M A Pantaleo
- Division of Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - S Patel
- Sarcoma Center, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | | | - C P Raut
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA; Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Dana Farber Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - V Ravi
- Sarcoma Center, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - A R A Razak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Sinai Healthcare System & Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - P Reichardt
- Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Berlin, Germany
| | - B P Rubin
- Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA
| | - P Rutkowski
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Warsaw, Poland
| | - A A Safwat
- Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - C Sangalli
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Sapisochin
- Multi-Organ Transplant and HPB Surgical Oncology, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - M Sbaraglia
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - S Scheipl
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - D Strauss
- Department of Surgery, The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - S J Strauss
- University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - K Sundby Hall
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - W D Tap
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA
| | - A Trama
- Department of Research, Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Tweddle
- Palliative Care, The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research London
| | - W T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M A J Van De Sande
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Unit, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - W Van Houdt
- Sarcoma and Melanoma Unit, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G van Oortmerssen
- Co-Chair of Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Woelfersheim, Germany & Chairman of the Dutch organisation for sarcoma patients (Patiëntenplatform Sarcomen), Guest researcher at Leiden University (Leiden Institute for Advanced Computer Science), Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A J Wagner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - M Wartenberg
- Chair of the Board of Directors of Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Sarcoma Patients EuroNet (SPAEN), Woelfersheim, Germany
| | - J Wood
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - N Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - C Zimmermann
- Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - P G Casali
- Adult Mesenchymal Tumor and Rare Cancer Unit, Cancer Medicine Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A P Dei Tos
- Department of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Università Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - A Gronchi
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Frezza AM, Napolitano A, Miceli R, Badalamenti G, Brunello A, Buonomenna C, Casali PG, Caraceni A, Grignani G, Gronchi A, Infante G, Morosi C, Saita L, Simeone N, Zaffaroni N, Vincenzi B, Stacchiotti S. Clinical prognostic factors in advanced epithelioid haemangioendothelioma: a retrospective case series analysis within the Italian Rare Cancers Network. ESMO Open 2021; 6:100083. [PMID: 33714008 PMCID: PMC7957151 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This multicentric, retrospective study conducted within the Italian Rare Cancer Network describes clinical features and explores their possible prognostic relevance in patients with advanced epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (EHE) started on surveillance. Patients and methods We collected data on adult patients with molecularly confirmed, advanced EHE consecutively referred at five sarcoma reference centres between January 2010 and June 2018, with no evidence of progressive disease (PD) and started on surveillance. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were performed. In the latter, due to the low number of cases and events, penalized likelihood was applied, and variable selection was performed using a random forest model. Results Sixty-seven patients were included. With a median follow-up of 50.2 months, 51 (76%) patients developed PD and 16 (24%) remained stable. PD at treatment start did not meet RECIST version 1.1 in 15/51 (29%) patients. The 3-year PFS and OS were 25.4% and 71.1%, respectively, in the whole population. Tumour-related pain (TRP) was the most common baseline symptom (32.8%), followed by temperature (20.9%), fatigue (17.9%), and weight loss (16.4%). Baseline TRP (P = 0.0002), development of TRP during follow-up (P = 0.005), baseline temperature (P = 0.002), and development of fatigue during follow-up (P = 0.007) were associated with a significantly worst PFS. An association between baseline TRP (P < 0.0001), development of TRP during follow-up (P = 0.0009), evidence of baseline serosal effusion (P = 0.121), and OS was recorded. Conclusion Because of the poor outcome observed in EHE patients presenting with serosal effusion, TRP, temperature, or serosal effusion, upfront treatment in this subgroup could be considered. Prognosis prediction in advanced EHE at presentation remains a challenge. This study explores the prognostic value of clinical and radiological features in advanced EHE patients on surveillance. Given their prognostic impact, symptoms and serosal effusion in EHE patients on surveillance should be regularly checked. In advanced EHE patients presenting with pain, temperature, or serosal effusion, upfront treatment could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Frezza
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Napolitano
- Medical Oncology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - R Miceli
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organisation, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Badalamenti
- Medical Oncology, Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
| | - A Brunello
- Department of Oncology, Medical Oncology Unit 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - C Buonomenna
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - P G Casali
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Grignani
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - A Gronchi
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - G Infante
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Trial Organisation, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - C Morosi
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - L Saita
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - N Simeone
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - N Zaffaroni
- Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - B Vincenzi
- Medical Oncology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - S Stacchiotti
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS - Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Ripamonti C, Zecca E, Brunelli C, Groff L, Boffi R, Caraceni A, Galeazzi G, Martini C, Panzeri C, Saita L, Viggiano V, De Conno F. Pain Experienced by Patients Hospitalized at the National Cancer Institute of Milan: Research Project “Towards a Pain-Free Hospital”. Tumori 2018; 86:412-8. [PMID: 11130572 DOI: 10.1177/030089160008600509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
According to the data of the literature, the prevalence of pain in cancer patients at various stages of the disease and the settings of care range from 38 to 51%, with an increase of up to 74% in the advanced and terminal stages. Despite published World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for pain management, 42 to 51% of cancer patients receive inadequate analgesia and 30% receive no analgesics at all. A 3-year Research Project “Towards a Pain-free Hospital”, which began one year ago, is ongoing at the National Cancer Institute of Milan. The research is organized in three subsequent steps. In the 1st one, a series of patient- and staff-oriented evaluation tools are used to assess the level of appropriateness of pain communication, assessment, management and control of the in-patients. The 2nd step will implement a number of continuing educational interventions aimed at improving patient awareness and staff knowledge of the appropriate pain assessment and management in order to respond to the patient's pain problem. In the 3rd step, all the assessment tools used in step one will be applied again to establish the prevalence of pain, the causes and intensity and patient satisfaction with pain management and to evaluate the impact of the interventions performed during the 2nd step regarding the overall ability of our hospital to tackle pain emergency in the hospitalized cancer population. The results relative to the 1st step are herein reported, in particular as regards the study on prevalence, causes, severity of pain, the interference of pain with sleep, mood and concentration, the use of pain medications and the relief obtained, the structural validity and internal consistency of the assessment tool used. A total of 258 patients hospitalized for at least 24 h were interviewed by 9 physicians using a brief structured questionnaire prepared ad hoc: 51.5% of the patients presented pain during the previous 24 h caused by surgery (49.6%) or by the tumor mass itself (29.3%). Out of the 133 patients with pain, a high degree (much or very much) of pain at rest was present in 27.1% and pain on movement in 30.8%; 31.6% did not take any analgesic treatment, and 14.3% of the latter reported a high degree of pain at rest and 21.4% on movement. Pain interfered with sleep from much to very much in 28.8% and with irritability and nervousness in 15.9% of the patients. In the 91 patients taking analgesics, 57.2% reported a high degree of pain relief. A high degree of pain and interference, however, was associated with low relief levels. The assessment tool used was shown to have a good structural validity and internal consistency (Chrombach alpha index of interference scale = 0.73). Although the Milan Cancer Institute has the longest tradition in Italy of pain assessment by means of validated tools and pain management according to the WHO guidelines and educational efforts in this field, the results of the study clearly show that it is necessary to persevere with continuing educational and informative programs in order to reduce the frequency and severity of pain and thus improve the quality of life of in-patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ripamonti
- Rehabilitation & Palliative Care Unit, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy
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Ventafridda V, Ripamonti C, Caraceni A, Spoldi E, Messina L, De Conno F. The Management of Inoperable Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Terminal Cancer Patients. Tumori 2018; 76:389-93. [PMID: 1697993 DOI: 10.1177/030089169007600417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess vomit and pain control in terminal cancer patients with inoperable gastrointestinal obstruction, using a pharmacologic symptomatic treatment which prevents recourse to nasogastric tube placement and intravenous hydration, in hospital and home care settings. Twenty-two symptomatic patients, who were judged as inoperable, were treated with a pharmacologic association of morphine hydrochloride and scopolamine butylbromide as analgesics and haloperidol as an antiemetic. The drugs were administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion via a syringe driver or intravenously only when a central venous catheter had been inserted previously. Daily recordings included assessment of pain, number of vomiting episodes, dry mouth, drowsiness, and thirst sensation. Data were examined before starting the treatment (T0), 2 days after (T2) and 2 days before death (T-2). They showed that there was a significant decrease in the pain score (p less than 0.001) on T2 and a further decrease on T-2 (p less than 0.05). Vomiting was controlled in all patients, with the exception of three patients with upper abdomen obstruction who required nasogastric tube placement. Dry mouth showed an upward trend throughout the observation period (p less than 0.05) but was successfully treated by administering liquids by mouth or ice-cubes to suck. Drowsiness too presented an upward trend from T0 to T-2 (p less than 0.001). Only one patient out of 16 who reported to be thirsty required intravenous hydration. We believe that in terminal cancer patients, vomit and pain resulting from inoperable intestinal obstruction, with the exception of obstruction of the upper abdomen, can be controlled through administration of analgesic and antiemetic drugs, in the hospital and at home, without recourse to nasogastric tube placement or intravenous hydration.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ventafridda
- Division of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
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7
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Stacchiotti S, Gronchi A, Fossati P, Akiyama T, Alapetite C, Baumann M, Blay JY, Bolle S, Boriani S, Bruzzi P, Capanna R, Caraceni A, Casadei R, Colia V, Debus J, Delaney T, Desai A, Dileo P, Dijkstra S, Doglietto F, Flanagan A, Froelich S, Gardner PA, Gelderblom H, Gokaslan ZL, Haas R, Heery C, Hindi N, Hohenberger P, Hornicek F, Imai R, Jeys L, Jones RL, Kasper B, Kawai A, Krengli M, Leithner A, Logowska I, Martin Broto J, Mazzatenta D, Morosi C, Nicolai P, Norum OJ, Patel S, Penel N, Picci P, Pilotti S, Radaelli S, Ricchini F, Rutkowski P, Scheipl S, Sen C, Tamborini E, Thornton KA, Timmermann B, Torri V, Tunn PU, Uhl M, Yamada Y, Weber DC, Vanel D, Varga PP, Vleggeert-Lankamp CLA, Casali PG, Sommer J. Best practices for the management of local-regional recurrent chordoma: a position paper by the Chordoma Global Consensus Group. Ann Oncol 2018; 28:1230-1242. [PMID: 28184416 PMCID: PMC5452071 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chordomas are rare, malignant bone tumors of the skull-base and axial skeleton. Until recently, there was no consensus among experts regarding appropriate clinical management of chordoma, resulting in inconsistent care and suboptimal outcomes for many patients. To address this shortcoming, the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the Chordoma Foundation, the global chordoma patient advocacy group, convened a multi-disciplinary group of chordoma specialists to define by consensus evidence-based best practices for the optimal approach to chordoma. In January 2015, the first recommendations of this group were published, covering the management of primary and metastatic chordomas. Additional evidence and further discussion were needed to develop recommendations about the management of local-regional failures. Thus, ESMO and CF convened a second consensus group meeting in November 2015 to address the treatment of locally relapsed chordoma. This meeting involved over 60 specialists from Europe, the United States and Japan with expertise in treatment of patients with chordoma. The consensus achieved during that meeting is the subject of the present publication and complements the recommendations of the first position paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Gronchi
- Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - P Fossati
- CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia.,Department of Radiotherapy, IEO-European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - T Akiyama
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - C Alapetite
- Department of Radiotherapy, Institut Curie, Paris.,Institut Curie-Centre de Protonthérapie d'Orsay (ICPO), Orsay, France
| | - M Baumann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - J Y Blay
- Cancer Medicine Department, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon
| | - S Bolle
- Department of Radiotherapy, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif Cedex, France
| | - S Boriani
- Department of Degenerative and Oncological Spine Surgery, Rizzoli Institute Bologna, Bologna
| | - P Bruzzi
- Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova
| | - R Capanna
- University Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology AO Pisa, Pisa
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - R Casadei
- Orthopedic Department, Rizzoli Institute Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Colia
- Departments of Cancer Medicine
| | - J Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - T Delaney
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - A Desai
- Midlands Abdominal and Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Unit (MARSU), Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
| | - P Dileo
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals (UCLH), London, UK
| | - S Dijkstra
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - F Doglietto
- Institute of Neurosurgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Flanagan
- University College London Cancer Institute, London.,Histopathology Department, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, UK
| | - S Froelich
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paris Diderot University, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France
| | - P A Gardner
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - H Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Z L Gokaslan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, USA
| | - R Haas
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Heery
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA
| | - N Hindi
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - P Hohenberger
- Sarcoma Unit, Interdisciplinary Tumor Center, Mannheim University Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - F Hornicek
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - R Imai
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Research Center Hospital for Charged Particle Therapy, Chiba, Japan
| | - L Jeys
- Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - R L Jones
- Sarcoma Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - B Kasper
- Sarcoma Unit, Interdisciplinary Tumor Center, Mannheim University Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - A Kawai
- Musculoskeletal Oncology and Rehabilitation Medicine, National Cancer Center, Tokio, Japan
| | - M Krengli
- Radiotherapy Department, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - A Leithner
- Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - I Logowska
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - J Martin Broto
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - D Mazzatenta
- Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche, Bologna
| | - C Morosi
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - P Nicolai
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - O J Norum
- Department of Tumor Orthopedic Surgery, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Patel
- Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - N Penel
- Cencer Medicine Department, Oscar Lambret Cancer Centre, Lille, France
| | - P Picci
- Laboratory of Oncologic Research, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna
| | - S Pilotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Radaelli
- Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - F Ricchini
- Palliative Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan
| | - P Rutkowski
- Department of Soft Tissue/Bone Sarcoma and Melanoma, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - S Scheipl
- Department of Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - C Sen
- Department of Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York
| | - E Tamborini
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - K A Thornton
- Center for Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - B Timmermann
- Particle Therapy Department, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - V Torri
- Oncology Unit, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - P U Tunn
- Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Uhl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Y Yamada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - D C Weber
- Paul Scherrer Institut PSI, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - D Vanel
- Department of Radiology, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - P P Varga
- National Center for Spinal Disorders, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - J Sommer
- Chordoma Foundation, Durham, USA
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Lo Dico S, Zecca E, Brunelli C, Bracchi P, Vitali M, Garassino M, Caraceni A. Integration of Palliative and Oncology Care in patients with lung and other thoracic cancer: referral criteria and clinical care pathways. Ann Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx435.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Brunelli C, Pigni A, Mandelli C, Bianchi E, Ferrigato L, Broglia M, Nanni O, Dall'Agata M, Sansoni E, Cavanna L, Dadduzio V, Garetto F, Pino M, Bortolussi R, Luzzani M, Giaretto L, Perfetti E, Autelitano C, Piga M, Caraceni A. Quality of end of life care in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving systematic versus on-demand early palliative care at diagnosis: a secondary outcome analysis from a randomized controlled trial. Ann Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdx435.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Hjermstad MJ, Aass N, Aielli F, Bennett M, Brunelli C, Caraceni A, Cavanna L, Fassbender K, Feio M, Haugen DF, Jakobsen G, Laird B, Løhre ET, Martinez M, Nabal M, Noguera-Tejedor A, Pardon K, Pigni A, Piva L, Porta-Sales J, Rizzi F, Rondini E, Sjøgren P, Strasser F, Turriziani A, Kaasa S. Characteristics of the case mix, organisation and delivery in cancer palliative care: a challenge for good-quality research. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2016; 8:456-467. [PMID: 27246166 DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Palliative care (PC) services and patients differ across countries. Data on PC delivery paired with medical and self-reported data are seldom reported. Aims were to describe (1) PC organisation and services in participating centres and (2) characteristics of patients in PC programmes. METHODS This was an international prospective multicentre study with a single web-based survey on PC organisation, services and academics and patients' self-reported symptoms collected at baseline and monthly thereafter, with concurrent registrations of medical data by healthcare providers. Participants were patients ≥18 enrolled in a PC programme. RESULTS 30 centres in 12 countries participated; 24 hospitals, 4 hospices, 1 nursing home, 1 home-care service. 22 centres (73%) had PC in-house teams and inpatient and outpatient services. 20 centres (67%) had integral chemotherapy/radiotherapy services, and most (28/30) had access to general medical or oncology inpatient units. Physicians or nurses were present 24 hours/7 days in 50% and 60% of centres, respectively. 50 centres (50%) had professorships, and 12 centres (40%) had full-time/part-time research staff. Data were available on 1698 patients: 50% females; median age 66 (range 21-97); median Karnofsky score 70 (10-100); 1409 patients (83%) had metastatic/disseminated disease; tiredness and pain in the past 24 hours were most prominent. During follow-up, 1060 patients (62%) died; 450 (44%) <3 months from inclusion and 701 (68%) within 6 months. ANOVA and χ2 tests showed that hospice/nursing home patients were significantly older, had poorer performance status and had shorter survival compared with hospital-patients (p<.0.001). CONCLUSIONS There is a wide variation in PC services and patients across Europe. Detailed characterisation is the first step in improving PC services and research. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01362816.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Hjermstad
- Department of Oncology, Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - N Aass
- Department of Oncology, Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - F Aielli
- Medical Oncology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - M Bennett
- Academic Unit of Palliative Care, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - C Brunelli
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Palliative Care, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Caraceni
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Palliative Care, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cavanna
- Oncology-Hematology Department, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy
| | - K Fassbender
- Cross Cancer Institute, Regional Cancer Centre Northern Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - M Feio
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - D F Haugen
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Regional Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care, Western Norway, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine K1, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - G Jakobsen
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - B Laird
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - E T Løhre
- Cancer Clinic, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - M Martinez
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - M Nabal
- Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | | | - K Pardon
- End-of-Life Care Research Group, Ghent University & Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Medical Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - A Pigni
- Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Palliative Care, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - L Piva
- Unità di Cure Palliative Azienda Ospedaliera San Paolo, Milan, Italy
| | - J Porta-Sales
- Palliative Care Service, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Barcelona, Spain.,Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), WeCare Chair: end of life care, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Rizzi
- U.O. Complessa Cure Palliative e Terapia del Dolore Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milan, Italy
| | - E Rondini
- Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - P Sjøgren
- Section of Palliative Medicine, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - F Strasser
- Oncological Palliative Medicine, Oncology Department, Internal Medicine & Palliative Centre Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - A Turriziani
- Hospice Villa Speranza, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - S Kaasa
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, European Palliative Care Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,Cancer Clinic, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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11
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Corli O, Floriani I, Roberto A, Montanari M, Galli F, Greco MT, Caraceni A, Kaasa S, Dragani TA, Azzarello G, Luzzani M, Cavanna L, Bandieri E, Gamucci T, Lipari G, Di Gregorio R, Valenti D, Reale C, Pavesi L, Iorno V, Crispino C, Pacchioni M, Apolone G. Are strong opioids equally effective and safe in the treatment of chronic cancer pain? A multicenter randomized phase IV 'real life' trial on the variability of response to opioids. Ann Oncol 2016; 27:1107-1115. [PMID: 26940689 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdw097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines tend to consider morphine and morphine-like opioids comparable and interchangeable in the treatment of chronic cancer pain, but individual responses can vary. This study compared the analgesic efficacy, changes of therapy and safety profile over time of four strong opioids given for cancer pain. PATIENT AND METHODS In this four-arm multicenter, randomized, comparative, of superiority, phase IV trial, oncological patients with moderate to severe pain requiring WHO step III opioids were randomly assigned to receive oral morphine or oxycodone or transdermal fentanyl or buprenorphine for 28 days. At each visit, pain intensity, modifications of therapy and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were recorded. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of nonresponders, meaning patients with worse or unchanged average pain intensity (API) between the first and last visit, measured on a 0-10 numerical rating scale. (NCT01809106). RESULTS Forty-four centers participated in the trial and recruited 520 patients. Worst pain intensity and API decreased over 4 weeks with no significant differences between drugs. Nonresponders ranged from 11.5% (morphine) to 14.4% (buprenorphine). Appreciable changes were made in the treatment schedules over time. Each group required increases in the daily dose, from 32.7% (morphine) to 121.2% (transdermal fentanyl). Patients requiring adjuvant analgesics ranged from 68.9% (morphine) to 81.6% (oxycodone), switches varied from 22.1% (morphine) to 12% (oxycodone), discontinuation of treatment from 27% ( morphine) to 14.5% (fentanyl). ADRs were similar except for effects on the nervous system, which significantly prevailed with morphine. CONCLUSION The main findings were the similarity in pain control, response rates and main adverse reactions among opioids. Changes in therapy schedules were notable over time. A considerable proportion of patients were nonresponders or poor responders. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01809106 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01809106?term=cerp&rank=2).
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Affiliation(s)
- O Corli
- Department of Oncology, Unità di Ricerca nel Dolore e Cure Palliative.
| | - I Floriani
- Department of Oncology, Laboratorio di Ricerca Clinica, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan
| | - A Roberto
- Department of Oncology, Unità di Ricerca nel Dolore e Cure Palliative
| | - M Montanari
- Department of Oncology, Unità di Ricerca nel Dolore e Cure Palliative
| | - F Galli
- Department of Oncology, Laboratorio di Ricerca Clinica, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan
| | - M T Greco
- Department of Oncology, Unità di Ricerca nel Dolore e Cure Palliative; Department of Statistics, Università di Milano, Milan
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Complex Structure, Terapia del dolore e Riabilitazione, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Kaasa
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
| | - T A Dragani
- S.S.D. Epidemiology, Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan
| | - G Azzarello
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ospedale di U.O.C. di Oncologia Mirano-ASL 13 Regione Veneto, Mirano
| | - M Luzzani
- Department of Orthogeriatrics, S.S.D. Cure Palliative, riabilitazione e stabilizzazione E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genova
| | - L Cavanna
- Oncology Unit, Ospedale di Piacenza, Piacenza
| | - E Bandieri
- Unit of Supportive and Simultaneous Care, Medical Oncology Division USL, Modena
| | - T Gamucci
- UOC Medical Oncology, Ospedale SS Trinità, Sora
| | - G Lipari
- Palliative Care, P.O. di Salemi-ASP 9, Trapani
| | - R Di Gregorio
- U.O.S Obstetric Anasthesia and Pain Therapy, Opedale Sacro Cuore di Gesù - Fatebenefratelli, Benevento
| | - D Valenti
- Palliative Care Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Valtellina e Valchiavenna, Morbegno
| | - C Reale
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anaesthetics and Geriatrics, Policlinico Universitario Umberto I, Rome
| | - L Pavesi
- Unit of Oncology, RCCS-Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia
| | - V Iorno
- Centre for Pain Medicine M. TIENGO, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan
| | - C Crispino
- UOSD Treatment of Lung Cancer Complications, AO Dei Colli Monaldi Cotugno CTO Ospedale Monaldi, Napoli
| | - M Pacchioni
- Department of Oncology, Ospedale San Raffaele IRCCS, Milan
| | - G Apolone
- Scientific Direction, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Hui D, Bansal S, Strasser F, Morita T, Caraceni A, Davis M, Cherny N, Kaasa S, Currow D, Abernethy A, Nekolaichuk C, Bruera E. Reply to the letter to the editor 'Integration between oncology and palliative care: does one size fit all?' by Verna et al. Ann Oncol 2015; 27:549-50. [PMID: 26602776 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - S Bansal
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - F Strasser
- Oncological Palliative Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - T Morita
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Davis
- Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, USA
| | - N Cherny
- Cancer Pain and Palliative Medicine Service, Department of Medical Oncology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Kaasa
- European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and The Cancer Clinic, St Olavs Hospital-Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - D Currow
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - A Abernethy
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - C Nekolaichuk
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - E Bruera
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
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13
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Oliver DJ, Borasio GD, Caraceni A, de Visser M, Grisold W, Lorenzl S, Veronese S, Voltz R. A consensus review on the development of palliative care for patients with chronic and progressive neurological disease. Eur J Neurol 2015; 23:30-8. [PMID: 26423203 DOI: 10.1111/ene.12889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The European Association of Palliative Care Taskforce, in collaboration with the Scientific Panel on Palliative Care in Neurology of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (now the European Academy of Neurology), aimed to undertake a review of the literature to establish an evidence-based consensus for palliative and end of life care for patients with progressive neurological disease, and their families. METHODS A search of the literature yielded 942 articles on this area. These were reviewed by two investigators to determine the main areas and the subsections. A draft list of papers supporting the evidence for each area was circulated to the other authors in an iterative process leading to the agreed recommendations. RESULTS Overall there is limited evidence to support the recommendations but there is increasing evidence that palliative care and a multidisciplinary approach to care do lead to improved symptoms (Level B) and quality of life of patients and their families (Level C). The main areas in which consensus was found and recommendations could be made are in the early integration of palliative care (Level C), involvement of the wider multidisciplinary team (Level B), communication with patients and families including advance care planning (Level C), symptom management (Level B), end of life care (Level C), carer support and training (Level C), and education for all professionals involved in the care of these patients and families (Good Practice Point). CONCLUSIONS The care of patients with progressive neurological disease and their families continues to improve and develop. There is a pressing need for increased collaboration between neurology and palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Oliver
- Palliative Medicine, Wisdom Hospice, Rochester, UK.,University of Kent, Kent, UK
| | - G D Borasio
- Service de soins palliatifs, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Instituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.,European Palliative Care Research Center NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - M de Visser
- Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - W Grisold
- Department of Neurology, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - S Lorenzl
- Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - S Veronese
- Fondazione Assistenza e Ricerca in Oncologia, Turin, Italy
| | - R Voltz
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital, Cologne, Germany.,EAN Subspeciality Scientific Panel on Palliative Care, Vienna, Austria
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Miccinesi G, Caraceni A, Raho JA, Paci E, Bulli F, Van Den Block L, Giannini A. Careful monitoring of the use of sedative drugs at the end of life: the role of Epidemiology. The ITAELD study. Minerva Anestesiol 2015; 81:968-979. [PMID: 25479467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sedative drugs are often used at the end of life for different clinical indications, and sometimes sedation is not interrupted until the patient dies. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of patients who died while deeply sedated in Italy in 2007. METHODS Cross-sectional survey which asked physicians about the last death that occurred among their assisted patients during the last year, and about their attitudes towards end-of-life decisions. All general practitioners (N=5,710) and a random sample of hospital physicians (N=8,950) from 14 Italian provinces were invited to participate. RESULTS The response rate was 20%. Among 1855 reported deaths, 1466 (79.2%) were classified by physicians as expected or non-sudden; 18.2% of these expected or non-sudden deaths occurred while the patient was deeply sedated. GPs were the least likely to report deep sedation, whereas anesthetists were the most likely. In 8% of cases, sedation occurred along with an abrupt increase in the dosage of opioids during the last day of life, reaching a dosage considered higher than necessary by the doctor. No association with positive attitudes of the physician towards physician assisted death was found, whereas reporting sedation was associated with a positive attitude towards respecting the choice of relatives to forgo life-sustaining treatment in the case of an incompetent patient. CONCLUSION Our study confirms the high prevalence of patients in Italy who die while being deeply sedated and shows that different practices may converge under the same label. Careful descriptive language is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Miccinesi
- Clinical and Descriptive Epidemiology Unit, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute-ISPO, Florence, Italy -
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15
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Hui D, Bansal S, Strasser F, Morita T, Caraceni A, Davis M, Cherny N, Kaasa S, Currow D, Abernethy A, Nekolaichuk C, Bruera E. Indicators of integration of oncology and palliative care programs: an international consensus. Ann Oncol 2015; 26:1953-1959. [PMID: 26088196 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdv269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, the concept of integrating oncology and palliative care has gained wide professional and scientific support; however, a global consensus on what constitutes integration is unavailable. We conducted a Delphi Survey to develop a consensus list of indicators on integration of specialty palliative care and oncology programs for advanced cancer patients in hospitals with ≥100 beds. METHODS International experts on integration rated a list of indicators on integration over three iterative rounds under five categories: clinical structure, processes, outcomes, education, and research. Consensus was defined a priori by an agreement of ≥70%. Major criteria (i.e. most relevant and important indicators) were subsequently identified. RESULTS Among 47 experts surveyed, 46 (98%), 45 (96%), and 45 (96%) responded over the three rounds. Nineteen (40%) were female, 24 (51%) were from North America, and 14 (30%) were from Europe. Sixteen (34%), 7 (15%), and 25 (53%) practiced palliative care, oncology, and both specialties, respectively. After three rounds of deliberation, the panelists reached consensus on 13 major and 30 minor indicators. Major indicators included two related to structure (consensus 95%-98%), four on processes (88%-98%), three on outcomes (88%-91%), and four on education (93%-100%). The major indicators were considered to be clearly stated (9.8/10), objective (9.4/10), amenable to accurate coding (9.5/10), and applicable to their own countries (9.4/10). CONCLUSIONS Our international experts reached broad consensus on a list of indicators of integration, which may be used to identify centers with a high level of integration, and facilitate benchmarking, quality improvement, and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hui
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
| | - S Bansal
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - F Strasser
- Oncological Palliative Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - T Morita
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Care and Seirei Hospice, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Davis
- Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, USA
| | - N Cherny
- Cancer Pain and Palliative Medicine Service, Department of Medical Oncology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - S Kaasa
- European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and The Cancer Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital - Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - D Currow
- Palliative and Supportive Services, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - A Abernethy
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - C Nekolaichuk
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - E Bruera
- Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
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16
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Callegaro D, Miceli R, Brunelli C, Colombo C, Sanfilippo R, Radaelli S, Casali PG, Caraceni A, Gronchi A, Fiore M. Long-term morbidity after multivisceral resection for retroperitoneal sarcoma. Br J Surg 2015; 102:1079-87. [DOI: 10.1002/bjs.9829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
More than 60 per cent of patients treated surgically for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma survive for at least 5 years. Extended surgical resection has been proposed for primary disease, but long-term morbidity data are lacking. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the long-term morbidity of patients undergoing surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma.
Methods
Patients operated on between January 2002 and December 2011 were eligible for the study. Long-term morbidity was evaluated based on a semistructured clinical interview. Lower limb function was assessed by means of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), a self-report questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 (low functioning) to 80 (high functioning). Pain was investigated by means of the Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form, with pain intensity scores reported on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).
Results
Some 243 patients underwent surgery, and 101 of 160 patients who were alive at the time of the investigation responded to the study invitation letter. Finally, 95 patients were enrolled in the study. Sensory impairment of the limbs was reported in 72 patients (76 per cent). The median LEFS score was 60 (i.q.r. 43–73). Mean scores for the pain intensity items varied from 1·23 to 2·68. In multivariable analysis, there was no difference in median levels of creatinine at survey between patients who did or did not undergo nephrectomy (difference between median values 13 (95 per cent c.i. −4 to 30) µmol/l; P = 0·170).
Conclusion
Severe chronic pain and lower limb motor impairment after multivisceral resection for retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare. Long-term renal function is not significantly impaired when nephrectomy is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Callegaro
- Department of Surgery, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - R Miceli
- Department of Biostatistics, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - C Brunelli
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
- European Palliative Care Research Centre, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - C Colombo
- Department of Surgery, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - R Sanfilippo
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - S Radaelli
- Department of Surgery, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - P G Casali
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - A Caraceni
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - A Gronchi
- Department of Surgery, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Department of Surgery, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Milan, Italy
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17
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Cicero G, Fulfaro F, Caraceni A, Arcara C, Badalamenti G, Intrivici C, Gebbia N. A Case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a Patient with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy. J Chemother 2013; 18:325-7. [PMID: 17129846 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2006.18.3.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a demyelinating polyneuropathy of probable autoimmune pathogenesis characterized by rapidly progressive symmetric paralysis. In the literature some cases of GBS associated with anticancer chemotherapy are reported. We present a case of a 55-year old woman who complained of progressive motor deficit in four limbs, areflexia in lower limbs and facial nerve paralysis one week after beginning cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy for metastatic lung cancer. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a strong positive Pandy reaction with 435 mg/dl total protein. The electromyography and the electroneuronography established the diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Specific therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin 25 g/day in 5 administrations for 5 days was started with complete benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cicero
- Operative Unit of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy
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18
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Zambetti M, Guidetti A, Carlo-Stella C, De Benedictis E, Tessari A, Balzarini A, Caraceni A, Gianni L, Gianni AM. Abstract P2-12-08: Sorafenib for treatment of breast-cancer related lymphedema. Cancer Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs12-p2-12-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphedema (LE) is a common complication of breast cancer (BC) treatments conditioning disability that affects quality of life. Decongestive therapy is the most popular treatment but it determines only a transient advantage, while pharmacologic therapy didn't impact on LE. On the basis of clinical observations of LE regression in patients treated with sorafenib with antitumoral intent, we hypothesized that sorafenib could have an anti-LE activity through inhibition of vascular permeability by suppressing VEGFRs.
METHODS We conducted a single-arm, monoistitutional phase II study in BC patients with treatment-acquired LE of the arm. Major or uncontrolled cardiological disease, brain metastasis, history of thromboembolism were exclusion criteria. Concomitant chemo or hormonal therapy was allowed. Pts received sorafenib 200 mg daily for a maximum of 8 weeks. The primary end-point was to evaluate the efficacy of sorafenib as reduction of LE, defined by the percentage reduction (PR) of the difference between the total arm circumference (measured as the sum of the circumference at 12 points) of the affected and the controlateral arm (Starritt, Peterk JA Cancer 2001–10): [(Initial Difference – Final Difference)/Initial Difference] × 100.
Secondary end-points were safety and duration of response (DOR). The study was designed to test the null hypothesis that the PR of edema observed with this therapy was at most 20% versus the alternative hypothesis that the PR obtained by this regimen was ≥40%.
RESULTS From May 2009 to April 2011, 36 BC pts were enrolled. All pts underwent axillary dissection and 29 pts had received adjuvant radiotherapy, but none on the axilla. Median time from primary breast surgery and from occurrence of edema to study enrollement was 65 and 49 months, respectively. All pts are evaluable for efficacy and toxicity. Most common toxicities included grade 1–2 gastralgia (17%), hypertension (17%) and rash (43%); one patient experienced grade 3 hand-foot syndrome. Twenty-five pts completed the planned 8 weeks of therapy, 11 (31%) had early treatment discontinuation after 2 (n = 6), 4 (n = 4) and 6 (n = 1) weeks of treatment due to recurrent grade 2 toxicity or to relapse of disease (n = 1). The median PR of the difference between the two arms was 34% (range, 2–100), 14 pts (39%) experienced a LE reduction ≥40%. Among 25 pts who completed therapy, 12 (48%) achieved a PR ≥40%. The median difference of total circumferences between the LE and controlateral arm was significantly reduced after treatment: 37 cm (range 8–88) vs 25 cm (range 1–62) (p = 0.006). Best response was achieved after a median of 5 weeks of therapy (range 1– 6) and the median DOR was 8 weeks (range 4–15). Reduction of LE was associated with improvement of related symptoms. After discontinuation of study drug 84% pts presented a progressive increase of total circumference of LE arm and returned to values similar to baseline after a median of 7 weeks (range 2–11).
CONCLUSIONS: Low dose of sorafenib has a good toxicity profile and exerts a significant anti-LE activity in BC patients. The early but transient effect observed in this study suggests exploring different schedule of administration. Further studies are warranted in order to obtain a durable benefit in term of reduction of LE and quality of life.
Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-08.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zambetti
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - A Guidetti
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - C Carlo-Stella
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - E De Benedictis
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - A Tessari
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - A Balzarini
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - A Caraceni
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - L Gianni
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - AM Gianni
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
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Corli O, Montanari M, Greco M, Brunelli C, Kaasa S, Caraceni A, Apolone G. How to evaluate the effect of pain treatments in cancer patients: Results from a longitudinal outcomes and endpoint Italian cohort study. Eur J Pain 2012; 17:858-66. [DOI: 10.1002/j.1532-2149.2012.00257.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. Corli
- Center for the Evaluation and Research on Pain (CERP); Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’; Milan; Italy
| | - M. Montanari
- Center for the Evaluation and Research on Pain (CERP); Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’; Milan; Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - G. Apolone
- Direzione Scientifica; Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS; Reggio Emilia; Italy
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20
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Kaasa S, Hanks G, Caraceni A. 189 INVITED How to Improve Cancer Pain Control Through European Guidelines for Opioid Treatment and Cancer Pain Diagnosis. Eur J Cancer 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(11)70404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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21
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Raijmakers N, van Zuylen L, Costantini M, Caraceni A, Clark J, Lundquist G, Voltz R, Ellershaw J, van der Heide A. Artificial nutrition and hydration in the last week of life in cancer patients. A systematic literature review of practices and effects. Ann Oncol 2011; 22:1478-1486. [DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdq620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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22
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Scarpi E, Maltoni M, Nanni O, Miceli R, Mariani L, Caraceni A, Amadori D. Survival prediction for terminally ill patients with cancer: Revision of palliative prognostic score with incorporation of delirium. J Clin Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.e19552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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23
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Pigni A, Brunelli C, Gibbins J, Hanks G, Deconno F, Kaasa S, Klepstad P, Radbruch L, Caraceni A. Content development for EUROPEAN GUIDELINES on the use of opioids for cancer pain: a systematic review and Expert Consensus Study. Minerva Anestesiol 2010; 76:833-843. [PMID: 20935619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Workpackage 3.1 (WP 3.1), within the European Palliative Research Collaborative (EPCRC), was aimed at critically revising and updating the European Association for Palliative Care recommendations on cancer pain management. The aim of this paper is to report the results of the first phase in the revision process which consists of a literature review and an expert consensus about the contents to be considered relevant in the development of the new guidelines. A systematic literature search was carried out from 2001 to 2008 through various databases including Medline, Cinahl, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase and Google. Through this process, guideline quality was evaluated, content was compared with EAPC recommendations and a first set of key-points was developed. A modified two-round Delphi method was applied to choose the most relevant topics for future systematic literature reviews. Fourteen guidelines on cancer pain management, published or updated after 2000, were retrieved. A comparison of these guidelines with the EAPC recommendations led to the formulation of 37 key-points, which were submitted to a panel of experts through a Delphi method. Through the responses given by the experts (25 after the first round and 19 after the second) and after a revision by the WP 3.1 local and steering committees, a final list of 22 topics was generated to answer all identified key-points. Each of these topics will be the object of systematic literature reviews. The final version of the "Evidence-based guidelines for the use of opioid analgesics in the treatment of cancer pain: the EAPC recommendations" will be based on the results of the 22 systematic literature reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pigni
- Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, IRCCS Foundation National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy.
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24
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Caraceni A, Cavaliere F, Galante D, Landoni G. A year in Review in Minerva Anestesiologica, 2009. Minerva Anestesiol 2010; 76:158-168. [PMID: 20150861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy-Rehabilitation), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
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25
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Knudsen AK, Aass N, Fainsinger R, Caraceni A, Klepstad P, Jordhøy M, Hjermstad MJ, Kaasa S. Classification of pain in cancer patients--a systematic literature review. Palliat Med 2009; 23:295-308. [PMID: 19286741 DOI: 10.1177/0269216309103125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the aims of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative (EPCRC) is to achieve consensus on a classification system for cancer pain. We performed a systematic literature review to identify existing classification systems and domains/items used to classify cancer patients with pain. In a systematic search in the databases Medline and Embase, covering 1986-2006, 692 hits were obtained. 92 papers were evaluated to address pain classification. Six standardised classification systems were identified; three of them systematically developed and partially validated. Both pain characteristics and patient characteristics relevant for cancer pain classification were included in the classification systems. All but one of the standardised systems aim at predicting treatment response or adequacy of treatment. Several domains and items used to describe cancer pain but not formally described as part of a classification system were also identified and systematized. The existing approaches to pain classification in cancer patients are different, mostly not thoroughly validated, and none is widely applied. An internationally accepted classification system for cancer pain could improve research and cancer pain management. This systematic review suggests a need for developing an international consensus on how to classify pain in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Knudsen
- Pain and Palliation Research Group and Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, NTNU, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
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Abstract
At present, there is no universally accepted cancer pain assessment tool for use in palliative care (PC). The European Palliative Care Research Collaborative (EPCRC), therefore, aims to develop an international consensus-based computerised pain assessment tool. As part of this process, we have performed (1) a literature review on pain assessment tools for use in the PC and (2) an international expert survey to gain information on the relevant dimensions for pain assessment in PC. 230 publications were identified, only six met the inclusion criteria. Three further articles were identified through manual searching, totalling 11 different pain assessment tools. Nine tools were multidimensional. Pain intensity was assessed in seven, using various numerical/verbal rating scales (NRS/VRS); five tools focused on pain management. Three publications did not identify the rationale for the need to develop a new tool, and the selection procedure for items/dimensions was not described in six tools. Patient and/or professional expert groups were involved in the development of five tools and only two tools were extensively validated or cross-culturally tested. Thirty-two experts (71%) completed the expert survey and identified 'intensity', 'temporal pattern', 'relief/exacerbation', 'pain quality' and 'location' as the five most relevant dimensions. Most preferred assessment of 'pain intensity' was by NRS rather than VRS. Time windows extending 24 h were regarded as less relevant. Development of PC pain assessment tools seems to be a continuous process, which does not adhere to systematic guidelines, thus does not contribute to a universally accepted tool. No tool contained all relevant dimensions as defined by the experts. Many tools focused on particular dimensions, suggesting that specific research interests may drive the tool development process. Extensive literature reviews, expert and patient input and clinical studies are a needed approach in the development of a new consensus-based pain assessment tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Hjermstad
- Department of Oncology, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo.
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27
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy – Rehabilitation), National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - E Zecca
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy – Rehabilitation), National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - C Martini
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy – Rehabilitation), National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Pigni
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy – Rehabilitation), National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - P Bracchi
- Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy – Rehabilitation), National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy
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28
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Gangeri L, Bosisio M, Brunelli C, Tamburini M, Serafin P, Clerici CA, Caraceni A, Mazzaferro V. Phenomenology and emotional impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms in orthotopic liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma. Transplant Proc 2007; 39:1564-8. [PMID: 17580189 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.02.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2007] [Accepted: 02/05/2007] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have focused on neuropsychiatric symptoms like hallucinations or delusions occurring in the early posttransplant period. The aim of this study was to estimate the percentage of patients reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms in the immediate postoperative phase, to describe the phenomenology, and to evaluate the emotional impact of such disorders. METHOD We studied 94 consecutive patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma at least 30 days prior. The presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms were retrospectively evaluated through a semistructured interview. RESULTS Overall 49 patients (52%) reported various postoperative neuropsychiatric symptoms. None of the demographic and clinical variables showed significant associations, except for barbiturate administration; patients using barbiturates showed a lower percentage of neuropsychiatric symptoms. It was a time-limited phenomenon that in most cases resolved by day 7 after transplantation. Interestingly, the most frequent emotion perceived was surprise and not fear; a nontrivial amount of patients reported happiness, while many patients reported no emotion. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggested the usefulness of a registry of the neurological and psychiatric complications after OLT that may help to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms of such complications and implement uniform protocols of prevention and treatment. In fact, better knowledge of the phenomenology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in OLT recipients could allow easier symptom recognition and therapy adjustments on the basis of the emotional impact of such symptoms on patients, family, and caregivers, as well as increase patients' awareness and capability to face this experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gangeri
- Psychology Unit, National Cancer Institute, Via Giacomo Venezian 1, Milan 20133, Italy
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29
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Bonito V, Caraceni A, Borghi L, Marcello N, Mori M, Porteri C, Casella G, Causarano R, Gasparini M, Colombi L, Defanti CA. The clinical and ethical appropriateness of sedation in palliative neurological treatments. Neurol Sci 2005; 26:370-85. [PMID: 16388377 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-005-0503-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- V Bonito
- Neurologia, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, L.go Barozzi 1, I-24128 Bergamo, Italy.
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Scaioli V, Caraceni A, Martini C, Curzi S, Capri G, Luca G. Electrophysiological evaluation of visual pathways in paclitaxel-treated patients. J Neurooncol 2005; 77:79-87. [PMID: 16132528 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-005-9008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2005] [Accepted: 06/24/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
As paclitaxel may induce positive spontaneous visual symptoms or persistent visual loss, we carried out this electrophysiological study in an attempt to clarify the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of visual pathway involvement. The study involved 30 breast cancer patients: 14 were treated with paclitaxel alone (group A) and 16 with paclitaxel and adriamycin (group B). Pattern visual evoked potentials (VEPs), and transient, 30 Hz flicker (FLK) and oscillatory potential (OP) white flash electroretinograms (ERGs), were recorded before treatment, after the third and sixth therapeutic cycle, and at the end of the programmed regimen. Pretreatment: Abnormal VEP and OP and FLK changes occurred more than 75% of patients; transient ERGs were normal in more than 90%. Serial recordings: VEPs remained unchanged in both goups. In group A, ERG b-wave latency significantly increased (ANOVA P<0.005), and OP and FLK were characterised by non-significant mild attenuation. Several combinations of ERG, OP, FLK and VEP changes occurred in 50% of the patients. The association between transitory lightining scotoma or blurred vision (reported by 12 patients) and VEP, ERG and FLK was poor, whereas that with OP was satisfactory. A few patients showed stable and persistent subclinical electrophysiological changes. Electrophysiological changes during treatment revealed the involvement of both the retina and anterior optic pathway. There was only a weak correlation between visual symptoms and electrophysiology. We suggest that the most likely mechanism of visual symptoms and electrophysiological changes during paclitaxel administration is vascular dysregulation in the retina, or ischemic mechanisms when the optic nerve is involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Scaioli
- National Institute of Neurology, Milan, Italy.
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Guida M, Barulli MR, Stangalino C, Mariani L, Caraceni A, Lepore V, Livrea P, De Caro MF, Gallus G, Lorusso V. Impairment of cognitive function in patients submitted to adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer: A follow up study. J Clin Oncol 2004. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2004.22.90140.8027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Guida
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - M. R. Barulli
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - C. Stangalino
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - L. Mariani
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - A. Caraceni
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - V. Lepore
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - P. Livrea
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - M. F. De Caro
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - G. Gallus
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
| | - V. Lorusso
- Oncology Institute, Bari, Italy; National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurological & Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy; Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bari, Italy
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Caraceni A, Andreola S, Simonetti F, Celio L. Acute confusional state with fatal outcome in a cancer patient. Neurol Sci 2004; 24:424-5. [PMID: 14767692 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-003-0202-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2003] [Accepted: 10/31/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Caraceni A, Weinstein SM. Classification of cancer pain syndromes. Oncology (Williston Park) 2001; 15:1627-40, 1642; discussion 1642-3, 1646-7. [PMID: 11780704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer patients experience pain in multiple sites and from several pathophysiologies of the symptom complex. The fluctuating nature of cancer pain intensity is a relevant clinical feature and depends on disease patterns and pain mechanisms. Breakthrough pain is defined as episodes of pain that "break through" the control of an otherwise effective analgesic therapy. Traditional ways of classifying pain in the cancer population include distinguishing pain associated with the treatments, the tumor, or unrelated to both and between chronic and acute pain. In focusing on the care of the cancer patient with pain, it is useful to be familiar with the characteristics of the typical syndrome found in association with different tumor types and anatomic locations. An understanding of the etiology of pain in relation to the cancer is useful in recognizing these complications and in treating them. This article reviews the methods presently applied to the classification of cancer pain and highlights the need for more research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Neurology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Evaluation and assessment are the first steps of any strategy for the management of cancer pain, and are fundamental for any clinical research project in this field. Different clinical systems for evaluation and classification of cancer pain syndromes are available and their clinical usefulness should be tested. The measurement of pain intensity is necessary to document and assess the outcome of established and new treatments. Visual analogue scales, verbal and numerical rating scales and some multidimensional tools such as the Brief Pain Inventory and the McGill Pain Questionnaire are helpful in the assessment of cancer pain provided the limitations of their validity are considered. Specific questions arise when these tools are used in long-term repeated assessments of cancer patients. Assessment and measuring techniques deserve more investigations to optimize standard valid procedures and to enable us to exchange clinical information and produce comparable data in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Neurology Unit, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Unit, Anesthesia and Critical Care Department, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- F De Conno
- Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Operative Unit, National Cancer Institute Milan, Italy.
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Grassi L, Caraceni A, Beltrami E, Borreani C, Zamorani M, Maltoni M, Monti M, Luzzani M, Mercadante S, De Conno F. Assessing delirium in cancer patients: the Italian versions of the Delirium Rating Scale and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale. J Pain Symptom Manage 2001; 21:59-68. [PMID: 11223315 DOI: 10.1016/s0885-3924(00)00241-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To validate the Italian versions of the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS), 105 cancer patients consecutively referred for neurological or psychiatric consultation for mental status change were evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), the DRS, the MDAS, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). According to the CAM criteria and clinical examination, 66 patients were delirious, and 39 received diagnoses other than delirium. The DRS and the MDAS scores significantly distinguished delirious from non-delirious patients. The MDAS and the DRS were mutually correlated. When using the proposed cut-off scores for the two scales, the MDAS had higher specificity (94%) but lower sensitivity (68%) than the DRS (sensitivity = 95%, specificity = 61% for DRS cut-off 10; sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 76%, DRS cut-off 12). The MMSE showed high sensitivity (96%) and very low specificity (38%). Exploratory factor analysis of the DRS and the MDAS suggested a three-factor and two-factor structure, respectively. Both instruments in their Italian version proved to be useful for the assessment of delirium among cancer patients. Further research is needed to examine the use of the DRS and the MDAS in other clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Grassi
- Servizio di Psichiatria di Consultazione e Psiconcologia, Clinica Psichiatrica, Università di Ferrara, Ferrera, Italy
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Caraceni A, Nanni O, Maltoni M, Piva L, Indelli M, Arnoldi E, Monti M, Montanari L, Amadori D, De Conno F. Impact of delirium on the short term prognosis of advanced cancer patients. Italian Multicenter Study Group on Palliative Care. Cancer 2000. [PMID: 10964345 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(20000901)89:5<1145::aid-cncr24>3.0.co;2-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of delirium on the survival of advanced cancer patients also assessed with a validated prognostic score (the palliative prognostic [PaP] score). METHODS The study population was a prospective multicenter consecutive case series of advanced cancer patients for whom chemotherapy was no longer considered viable and who were referred to palliative care programs. Clinical and biologic prognostic factors included in the PaP score were assessed at study entry. The Confusion Assessment Method criteria were applied to screen patients presenting with delirium. Survival times were measured from time of enrollment and death taken as an outcome. Survival curves were traced with the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison were based on log rank tests. RESULTS Delirium was found in 109 cases among 393 consecutive patients (27.7%). The diagnosis of delirium was independently associated with male gender, central nervous system metastases, lower performance status, worse clinical prediction of survival, and progestational treatment. The survival curve of patients with delirium was significantly different from the nondelirious patients curve (log rank, 31.6, P < 0.0001). The median survival time was 21 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-27) for the delirious patients and 39 days (95% CI 33-49) for the others. Multivariate analysis showed that the diagnosis of delirium and PaP score were independently associated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of delirium significantly worsens life expectancy prognosticated with the PaP score. By using the PaP score together with the assessment of cognitive status, physicians can correctly predict patients 30-day survival in greater than 70% of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Unita' di Riabilitazione e Terapie Palliative, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy
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Caraceni A, Nanni O, Maltoni M, Piva L, Indelli M, Arnoldi E, Monti M, Montanari L, Amadori D, De Conno F. Impact of delirium on the short term prognosis of advanced cancer patients. Italian Multicenter Study Group on Palliative Care. Cancer 2000; 89:1145-9. [PMID: 10964345 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(20000901)89:5<1145::aid-cncr24>3.0.co;2-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of delirium on the survival of advanced cancer patients also assessed with a validated prognostic score (the palliative prognostic [PaP] score). METHODS The study population was a prospective multicenter consecutive case series of advanced cancer patients for whom chemotherapy was no longer considered viable and who were referred to palliative care programs. Clinical and biologic prognostic factors included in the PaP score were assessed at study entry. The Confusion Assessment Method criteria were applied to screen patients presenting with delirium. Survival times were measured from time of enrollment and death taken as an outcome. Survival curves were traced with the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison were based on log rank tests. RESULTS Delirium was found in 109 cases among 393 consecutive patients (27.7%). The diagnosis of delirium was independently associated with male gender, central nervous system metastases, lower performance status, worse clinical prediction of survival, and progestational treatment. The survival curve of patients with delirium was significantly different from the nondelirious patients curve (log rank, 31.6, P < 0.0001). The median survival time was 21 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-27) for the delirious patients and 39 days (95% CI 33-49) for the others. Multivariate analysis showed that the diagnosis of delirium and PaP score were independently associated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of delirium significantly worsens life expectancy prognosticated with the PaP score. By using the PaP score together with the assessment of cognitive status, physicians can correctly predict patients 30-day survival in greater than 70% of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Unita' di Riabilitazione e Terapie Palliative, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy
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Caraceni A. The contribution of neurophysiology to the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases. Neurol Sci 2000; 21:65-6. [PMID: 10938182 DOI: 10.1007/s100720070097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Neurology Unit, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Unit, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
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Böhm S, Oriana S, Spatti G, Di Re F, Breasciani G, Pirovano C, Grosso I, Martini C, Caraceni A, Pilotti S, Zunino F. Dose intensification of platinum compounds with glutathione protection as induction chemotherapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Oncology 1999; 57:115-20. [PMID: 10461057 DOI: 10.1159/000012017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Based on previous clinical experience indicating the tolerability and efficacy of high-dose cisplatin with glutathione protection in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, this study was undertaken to explore the efficacy and feasibility of an alternative high-dose, platinum-based approach including a combination of high-dose cisplatin plus carboplatin as induction chemotherapy of advanced ovarian carcinoma and intervention surgery. Fifty consecutive eligible patients with untreated stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer received 40 mg/m(2) cisplatin daily on days 1-4 and 160 mg/m(2) carboplatin on day 5. The cycle was repeated after 28 days. Patients received glutathione (2,500 mg) before each cisplatin or carboplatin administration and standard intravenous hydration. After 2 courses of induction chemotherapy, the patients underwent surgical reevaluation with debulking, when possible, followed by a further 3 cycles of 120 mg/m(2) cisplatin (i.e. 40 mg/m(2) daily for 3 consecutive days plus 600 mg/m(2) cyclophosphamide on day 3) except in instances of lack of response. All eligible patients were assessed for response and toxicity. The toxicity was moderate with lack of significant nephrotoxicity. Neurotoxicity and ototoxicity were acceptable and in no patient was treatment discontinued for those toxic effects. Myelotoxicity was somewhat more severe than that observed with our previous study with high-dose cisplatin and probably related to the addition of carboplatin. Of the 40 responsive patients, 23 (46%) had a pathological complete response and 4 (8%) had a clinical complete response (without second-look laparotomy). The efficacy of the present protocol was also documented by overall survival (median survival >48 months), which appeared to be better than expected with the current therapy in this group with advanced/bulky disease. The impressive efficacy suggests a possible contribution of reduced glutathione itself in improving the outcome, as supported by preclinical studies. The results of this study should be placed in context with current platinum-based therapy including paclitaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Böhm
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milano, Italia
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Abstract
Gabapentin was administered as an "add on" therapy to 22 patients with neuropathic cancer pain only partially responsive to opioid therapy. Global pain, burning pain, shooting pain episodes, and allodynia were assessed separately. Gabapentin was given for at least a week and efficacy was assessed after 7 to 14 days of therapy. Global pain score decreased from a mean (+/- SD) of 6.4 (+/- 1.5) to 3.2 (+/- 1.3) (95% confidence interval of the baseline minus final score differences [95% CI] = 1.0-2.4). Burning pain intensity decreased from a mean (+/- SD) of 5.1 (+/- 3.6) to 2.0 (+/- 2.3) (95% CI = 1.5-3.8), and episodes of shooting pain decreased in frequency from 7.2 (+/- 3.7) to 2.2 (+/- 2.2) daily episodes (95% CI = 1.8-4.3). Allodynia was found in 9 patients and disappeared in 7 during gabapentin administration. Twenty patients judged the new drug efficacious in relieving their symptoms. The potential role of gabapentin as an adjuvant to opioid analgesia in cancer pain is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Division, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy
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De Conno F, Martini C, Zecca E, Balzarini A, Venturino P, Groff L, Caraceni A. Megestrol acetate for anorexia in patients with far-advanced cancer: a double-blind controlled clinical trial. Eur J Cancer 1998; 34:1705-9. [PMID: 9893656 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(98)00219-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate a low-dose regimen of megestrol acetate (MA; 320 mg/day) on appetite in advanced cancer patients. Out-patients with far-advanced non-hormone responsive tumours and loss of appetite were randomised in a phase III trial, with two consecutive phases: a 14-day double-blind placebo controlled phase (phase A) and a 76-day open phase (phase B). During phase A, patients were treated with MA, two 160 mg tablets/day, or placebo. In phase B, the MA dose was titrated to clinical response in both groups. Appetite, food intake, body weight, performance status, mood and quality of life were evaluated with standardised measures; patients' global judgement about treatment efficacy was also requested. Of 42 patients entering the study, 33 (17 MA and 16 placebo) were evaluable for efficacy. The appetite score improved significantly with MA after 7 days (P = 0.0023), and this effect was still significant at 14 days (P = 0.0064). Patients judged the treatment with MA effective in 88.2% of cases (14th day), whilst placebo was considered effective by 25% (P = 0.0003). None of the other measures showed significant changes during treatment. The remarkable effect on appetite evident after 7 days, without serious side-effects, shows that MA can produce significant subjective effects at a low-dose even in patients with far-advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- F De Conno
- Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Division, National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy
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Caraceni A, Gangeri L, Martini C, Belli F, Brunelli C, Baldini M, Mascheroni L, Lenisa L, Cascinelli N. Neurotoxicity of interferon-alpha in melanoma therapy: results from a randomized controlled trial. Cancer 1998; 83:482-9. [PMID: 9690541 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19980801)83:3<482::aid-cncr17>3.0.co;2-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the neurologic and quality of life impact of low dose adjuvant interferon (IFN)-alpha immunotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma metastatic to regional lymph nodes after radical surgery. METHODS One hundred and thirteen patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha, 3 x 10(6) IU three times weekly by subcutaneous injection for 36 months or until melanoma recurrence (IFN group), or to act as controls (CTR group). Seventy-five of these patients (66%) entered the toxicity study and underwent formal neurologic, neuropsychologic, psychologic, and quality of life assessments. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. For each variable, maximum worsening of symptoms from baseline was considered as a response variable. The differences between the two groups regarding this variable were evaluated by means of the Hodges-Lehmann median unbiased point estimates and their 95% confidence interval. RESULTS A significant degree of action tremor was found in eight patients in the IFN group and in none of the controls. No differences were found during psychiatric evaluation and for cognitive tests. There was a greater increase in anxiety in the IFN group on both trait and state anxiety. With regard to quality of life the analysis showed a significant worsening of at most one level on only three questionnaire items and on the fatigue scale. CONCLUSIONS Neurologic dysfunction associated with IFN therapy was mild. Psychiatric symptoms and neuropsychologic impairment were not found. Levels of fatigue and anxiety were increased in the IFN group but without a sizable impact on quality of life measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Division, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy
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Abstract
The authors review the clinical and diagnostic aspects involved in leptomeningeal disease due to solid tumours, leukaemias and lymphomas. The importance of the combination of clinical findings with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) examination and imaging studies in making an early diagnosis is underlined. The raising prevalence of this complication of systemic cancer deserves specific attention on the part of neurologists involved in consultation liason with general medicine and oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Formaglio
- Neurology Department, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Ville Turro, Milano, Italy
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Caraceni A, De Conno F. Analgesic effects of chemotherapy? J Clin Oncol 1998; 16:803. [PMID: 9469376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION We describe bilateral optic neuropathy in a patient affected by ovarian carcinoma treated with cis-platin 160 mg/m2 and carboplatin, 640 mg/m2. The patient was followed for 1 year, when recovery appeared. The few previous descriptions of CDDP optic nerve toxicity did not report recovery. METHODS Computerized visual field, visual evoked potentials, pattern electroretinograms, full field flash electroretinograms were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS Optic neuritis appeared 13 weeks after cis-platin discontinuation, with right eye central scotoma; 2 days later the patient became bilaterally blind. Visual evoked potentials were initially absent, reappeared, with delayed latencies to left eye stimuli at 6 months, in both eyes at 9 months. At 1 year delayed VEPs were recorded with right eye stimuli, normal VEPs were recorded for left eye. CONCLUSION Cis-platin can induce delayed optic neuritis, that can recover in 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Divisione di Terapia del Dolore e Cure Palliative, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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Caraceni A, Martini C, Zecca E, De Conno F, Portenoy RK. Pain due to epidural tumor in cancer patients. Report of two cases and differential diagnosis. Ital J Neurol Sci 1997; 18:303-7. [PMID: 9412857 DOI: 10.1007/bf02083310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The cases of two patients with inguinal pain as the only symptom of a T12 metastatic lesion is reported. The patterns of pain referrals from tumor lesions to the spine, epidural space, and spinal cord are reviewed. Focal back pain and pain reported in a distal distribution can both be associated with epidural or cord disease. The differential diagnosis of back pain in patients with cancer can be difficult but may be crucial in differentiating important neurological complications of systemic neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Caraceni
- Divisione di Terapia del Dolore e Cure Palliative, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
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