Volume 6, Number 3 (March 2008)

Bench to Bedside

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Surgical Approaches to Malignant Bowel Obstruction
Lucy Helyer, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCSC, and Alexandra M. Easson, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS

Dalhousie University and Division of General Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and University of Toronto, Division of General Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The management of patients with malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) can be one of the most challenging aspects of advanced cancer care, and as a result, their symptoms are often palliated poorly, especially near the end of life. The term MBO encompasses a heterogeneous clinical syndrome, defined as obstructive symptoms due to the presence of intra-abdominal neoplastic disease. This review outlines a surgical framework for clinicians managing patients with MBO.

abstract full text 200 kb

 

PEER VIEWPOINTS
Malignant Bowel Obstruction: Tailoring Treatment to Individual Patients
Carla Ida Ripamonti, MD, Palliative Care Unit (Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation), IRCCS Foundation, National Cancer Institute of Milan, Milan, Italy

full text 58 kb

 

The Value of a Systematic Approach to Malignant Bowel Obstruction
Robert S. Krouse, MD, University of Arizona and Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Tucson, Arizona

full text 59 kb

Original Research

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Adjunctive Nabilone in Cancer Pain and Symptom Management: A Prospective Observational Study Using Propensity Scoring
Vincent Maida, MD, BSc, ABHPM, Marguerite Ennis, PhD, Shiraz Irani, RN,MSN,FNP,Mario Corbo, BHSc, and Michael Dolzhykov, BSc

Division of Palliative Medicine, William Osler Health Centre, University of Toronto, Canada; Applied Statistician, Markham, Canada; CNS, Hope Health Care, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, and Faculty of Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada

This prospective observational study assessed the effectiveness of adjuvant nabilone (Cesamet) therapy in managing pain and symptoms experienced by advanced cancer patients. The primary outcomes were the differences between treated and untreated patients at 30 days follow-up, in Edmonton Symptom Assessment System pain scores, and in total morphine-sulfate-equivalent use after adjusting for baseline discrepancies using the propensity-score method. Data from 112 patients (47 treated, 65 untreated) met criteria for analyses.

abstract full text 117 kb

How We Do It

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A Coordinated, Multidisciplinary Approach to Caring for the Patient With Head and Neck Cancer
Chad Dingman, LMSW, OSW-C, Patricia D. Hegedus, MBA, RN, OCN, Christa Likes, MSR, CCC-SLP, Page McDowell, MPT, CLT-LANA, Erica McCarthy, MSR, CCC-SLP, and Cathy Zwilling, MS, RD

Gibbs Regional Cancer Center and Oncology Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Services, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, South Carolina

Head and neck cancers involve a wide variety of sites, including the lips, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, major salivary glands, and thyroid gland. Tumors affecting most of these sites require multimodal treatment, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatments may leave the patient at risk for psychosocial, physical, and nutritional issues that directly impact care. A coordinated multidisciplinary approach may facilitate early identification of treatment barriers and improve outcomes.

full text 123 kb

This month’s issue of The Journal of Supportive Oncology continues the coverage of selected presentations at the Third Annual Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference, held September 27–29, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Illinois. Summaries from the rest of the presentations appeared in the February 2008 issue of JSO. Please see http://www.supportiveoncology.net/chicago for more information on the 2008 Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference, including the conference schedule, call for abstracts, continuing education programs, and registration.

Communication

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Supporting the Patient and Family Through the Cancer Crisis
Based on a presentation by Walter F. Baile, MD

full text 52 kb

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Understanding Patients and Dealing With Their Emotions
Based on presentations by Robert A. Buckman, MD, PhD, and Teresa A. Gilewski, MD

full text 48 kb

Survivorship

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What’s Causing Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction?
Based on a presentation by Patricia A. Ganz, MD

full text 95 kb

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Survivorship: Models of Care
Based on a presentation by Mary S. McCabe, RN, MA

full text 148 kb

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Promoting Health and Physical Function Among Survivors
Based on a presentation by Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, PhD, RD, LDN

full text 80 kb

Issues in Supportive Care

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Updates from the 2007 Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer International Symposium
Based on a presentation by Patricia A. Ganz, MD

full text 133 kb

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