Quality of life across chemotherapy lines in patients with cancers of the pancreas and biliary tract

BACKGROUND

In patients with cancers of the pancreatic and biliary tract quality of life (QOL) improvement is the main treatment goal, since survival can be prolonged only marginally. Up to date, knowledge on QOL impairments throughout the entire treatment process, often including several chemotherapy lines, is scarce. Our study aimed at investigating QOL trajectories from adjuvant treatment to palliative 3rd-line therapy

METHODS

Patients were included in routine electronic patient-reported outcome monitoring at Kufstein County Hospital at the time of diagnosis and assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30 during each chemotherapy cycle.

RESULTS

Eighty out of 147 patients with pancreatic cancer or cancer of the bile ducts treated at the Kufstein County Hospital, fulfilled inclusion criteria and could be included in the study (mean age 67.4 years; 53.8% women). Physical, Emotional and Cognitive Functioning, and Global QOL deteriorated across chemotherapy lines, whereas Fatigue, Pain, Dyspnoea, Sleeping Disturbances, Diarrhoea, and Taste Alterations increased. With regard to Physical Functioning, Global QOL, Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Diarrhoea and Taste Alterations, the patients receiving adjuvant or 1st-line palliative chemotherapy did not differ significantly. Most patients in 2nd- or 3rd-line chemotherapy showed significantly higher impairments and symptom burden. However, patients under 1st and 2nd-line treatment showed stable QOL trajectories, whereas 3rd-line patients perceived substantial deteriorations.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest early palliative treatment initiation to stabilise QOL on a level as high as possible. The continuous QOL improvement during adjuvant treatment, probably reflecting post-operative recovery, may indicate that deleterious effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on QOL are highly unlikely.

Taste alterations in breast and gynaecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: prevalence, course of severity, and quality of life correlates

BACKGROUND

Taste alterations (TAs) are frequently reported by chemotherapy patients. However, research on this topic is very scarce. The etiologies of TAs are not fully known and prevalences may vary across tumour types and chemotherapy regimens. The aim of the present study was to longitudinally investigate TAs in patients with breast cancer or gynaecological cancers receiving chemotherapy, and to provide expected values for TAs for these patient populations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and nine cancer patients (32.1% gynaecological cancer, 67.9% breast cancer) receiving chemotherapy at the Department for Internal Medicine of Kufstein County Hospital were consecutively included in the study. At each visit the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 and a screening scale for TAs, consisting of two validated questions taken from the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer item bank was administered. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effect models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of TAs in breast cancer and gynaecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was high (76.1%). There were differences in the extent of TAs as well as in their time course across treatment groups. The lowest TAs were found in breast cancer and gynaecological cancer patients treated with gemcitabine. The highest TAs were found in breast cancer patients treated with epirubicin/docetaxel/capecitabine. The steepest increase of TAs was found in patients treated with epirubicin/docetaxel. Moreover, significant associations between TAs and appetite loss as well as fatigue were found.

CONCLUSION

The results show that TAs are an issue in breast and gynaecological cancer patients receiving different chemotherapy regimens. There is a need for a more systematic investigation of TAs in chemotherapy patients in general as well as the need to address this issue in clinical practice.

Taste alterations in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a neglected side effect?

BACKGROUND

Taste alterations (TAs) are a frequent but under-recognized treatment side effect in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT). CT regimens with different toxicity profiles may vary in their impact on TAs, but research on this topic is lacking. This study assesses the prevalence of TAs and their relation to sociodemographic and clinical variables, especially CT regimens. Furthermore, the association between TAs and quality of life (QOL) is investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

TAs and QOL data were collected longitudinally in 197 cancer patients (lung cancer, 54.3%; pancreatic cancer, 19.3%; colorectal cancer, 26.4%; age, 65.2 +/-10.4 years; male, 57.4%) who were receiving CT at the Department of Internal Medicine at Kufstein County Hospital, giving rise to a total of 1,024 assessment times. Patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire and two additional questions taken from the EORTC item bank concerning TAs. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed-effect models.

RESULTS

The study showed that the prevalence of TAs in chemotherapy patients is alarmingly high (69.9%). There were clear differences in TA scores among treatment groups: patients receiving irinotecan reported significantly more TAs than patients in other treatment groups; patients receiving a combination of gemcitabine and a platinum agent reported the lowest TAs. Additionally, significant associations between TAs and several QOL dimensions were found, especially with appetite loss and fatigue.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of TAs and their impact on QOL in CT patients underscore the urgent need for increased attention to this side effect, both in research and in clinical practice.

A new approach to combining clinical relevance and statistical significance for evaluation of quality of life changes in the individual patient

OBJECTIVE

Empirical investigation of formerly proposed criteria for relevant changes of health-related quality of life (QOL) regarding their use for monitoring changes in the individual patient. Suggestion of a new criterion trying to overcome the drawbacks of former criteria.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

QOL data were collected longitudinally in 160 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at an oncological outpatient unit, giving rise to a total of 975 QOL assessments. QOL was measured using the European Organization on Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire. Several formerly suggested criteria of relevant change (distribution based, anchor based) were compared in terms of both prevalence and statistical significance of the resulting relevant changes.

RESULTS

When considering criteria of relevant change suggested in the literature, high proportions (average: 42.3-48.3%) of reputedly relevant changes were found. The majority of these changes (average: 55.8-62.2%) were statistically insignificant. Combination of an increased threshold for clinical relevance with the concept of statistical significance resulted in a more meaningful change criterion.

CONCLUSION

Formerly recommended thresholds of relevant change in QOL appear to be unduly low when focusing on the individual patient. A modified criterion is therefore suggested for this case. However, more research is needed for validation and refinement of the proposed criterion.

Biweekly oxaliplatin and irinotecan chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer. A first-line multicenter phase II trial of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medikamentöse Tumortherapie (AGMT)

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an outpatient oxaliplatin/irinotecan chemotherapy in chemonaive patients suffering from unresectable gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biweekly oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2) and irinotecan (125 mg/m2) was chosen since it has been shown previously in colorectal cancer that oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2) is superior to a lower dose and toxicity of irinotecan is much lower if given fractionated. The irinotecan dose below the maximum tolerated dose takes into consideration concerns about increased toxicity in gastric cancer patients.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients with histologically proven gastric adenocarcinoma and no previous palliative chemotherapy were selected. WHO grade 3 and 4 toxicities included neutropenia in 2/43 patients, anemia in 3/43 patients, nausea in 2/43 patients and diarrhea in 4/43 patients. Response rates were assessable in 38 patients as follows: complete response in three patients (8%), partial response in 19 (50%), stable disease in 11 (29%), and progressive disease in 5 patients (13%). The median time-to-progression was 53 months and median overall survival was 9.5 months.

CONCLUSION

The outpatient combination of biweekly oxaliplatin/irinotecan was well tolerated and showed a response rate within the range of other first-line combination therapies. The favorable toxicity profile, however, renders oxaliplatin/irinotecan as an alternative first-line regimen.

First isolation of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 027 in Austria

We report the first isolate of C. difficile 027 documented in Austria. On 9 March 2006, in a local hospital in Tyrol, west Austria, a 69 year old British woman was admitted to hospital

Oxaliplatin and irinotecan chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer. Final results of a multicenter phase II trial

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Background: There are only limited treatment options for advanced gastric cancer. Development of new treatment options is therefore warranted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of an outpatient Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan combination in patients suffering from unresectable, locally advanced and/or metastatic gastric cancer. Methods: The combination of Oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 biweekly with Irinotecan 125 mg/m2 biweekly was chosen since it has been shown in colorectal cancer that a biweekly dose of at least 85 mg/m2 oxaliplatin is superior to a lower dose and toxicity of Irinotecan is much lower if given fractionated into two doses. Furthermore the Irinotecan dose below MTD considers concerns about increased toxicity in gastric cancer patients. Results: 43 patients with histologically proven unresectable and/or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and no previous palliative chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy were selected. Median age: 61 years (range 32–81 years), male/female ratio: 24/19, PS 0:11 patients, PS <3:32 patients, locally advanced cancer 5 patients, single metastatic site: 19 patients, multiple metastases: 19 patients, previously adjuvant radiochemotherapy: 4 patients. This outpatient regimen was generally well tolerated. Frequently reported adverse events (more than 20% of patients) were grade 1 or 2 and included neutropenia (44% of patients), thrombocytopenia (30%), anemia (77%), nausea 67%), diarrhea (51%), alopecia (35%). Grade 3 and 4 toxicities included neutropenia in 2/43 pts., anemia in 3/43 pts., nausea in 2/43 pts., and diarrhea in 4/43pts. 5 patients were taken off-study due to toxicity (asthenia, nausea, reversible renal failure, diarrhea). Sensory neuropathy occurred only as grade 2 in 14%, no grade 3/4 neurotoxicity was observed. For response 38 patients are assessable with 3 pts. (8%) showing a CR, PR in 19 pts. (50%), SD in 11 pts. (29%), PD in 5 pts. (13%). Median TTP was 5.3 months and median OS 9.5 months. Conclusions: The outpatient combination of a biweekly Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan chemotherapy is well tolerated and shows a response rate within the range of other combination therapies. The favourable toxicity profile makes it an alternative 1st line regimen.

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Imported Dengue fever presenting with febrile diarrhoea: report of two cases

Dengue fever is a significant health problem in most tropical regions and increasingly observed among travelers returning from tropical countries. Clinical presentation might not be typical in patients from non-endemic areas. We report 2 patients returning from South-East Asia with proven Dengue-virus infection initially presenting with "febrile diarrhea" followed by hemorrhagic skin lesions during hospitalization. Blood and stool examination remained negative for bacteria, parasites and plasmodia. Dengue fever was suspected early, mainly due to the typical course of the complete blood cell count with thrombocytopenia (19 x 10(9)/L and 86 x 10(9)/L) and leucopenia (3 x 10(9)/L and 1.8 x 10(9)/L). Both patients had a benign clinical course, which still required intensive care monitoring. Platelet inhibitors and NSAIDs should be stopped when Dengue infection (Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever) is suspected in order to minimalize the risk of bleeding. Although presentation of the disease might not always be typical, Dengue infection has to be considered early in the course of disease by taking an in-depth history and profound physical examination.

[Acute fatty liver in pregnancy with consumption coagulopathy]

Acute idiopathic fatty liver of pregnancy was observed in a 34-year-old patient. Mother and child survived this complication which has happened in only 10% of the 69 histologically verified cases. On the basis of coagulation studies it may be assumed that consumption coagulopathy had been present initially. This could be pathogenetically relevant in the development of fatty liver of pregnancy.