Survey on symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy in an Italian department of oncology: a comparison between period prevalences.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence over time of the measured side effects using a self-assessment questionnaire in normal clinical practice.

Methods: The prevalence of symptoms reported by patients on the questionnaire was evaluated over two 1-year periods: from 1 June 2006 to 31 May 2007 and from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to describe population.

The effectiveness of the quality program Pac-IficO to improve pain management in hospitalized cancer patients: a before-after cluster phase II trial.

Background: Cancer-related pain continues to be a major healthcare issue worldwide. Despite the availability of effective analgesic drugs, published guidelines and educational programs for Health Care Professionals (HCPs) the symptom is still under-diagnosed and its treatment is not appropriate in many patients. The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Pac-IFicO programme in improving the quality of pain management in hospitalised cancer patients.

The late complications of totally implantable central venous access ports: the results from an Italian multicenter prospective observation study.

Purpose: The principal aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of late complications in oncologic patients with totally implanted central venous access ports.

Methods: A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in 26 Italian oncologic outpatient clinics. 1076 cancer patients with Totally Implanted Central Venous Access Ports (TIAP) were observed.

Benign breast diseases in breast cancer screening programs in Italy (2000-2001).

Aims And Background: Screening mammography has been shown to be effective in reducing breast cancer mortality in several randomized clinical trials. One major side effect of screening is the diagnosis of benign breast disease (BBD), which is considered as a nonprogressive lesion, except for a small percentage of lesions considered at high risk. We present data referring to service screening programs active in Italy in 2000 and 2001 and participating in the national survey carried out by the Italian Group for Mammography Screening (GISMa).