Benefits and risks of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for decompression in patients with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal obstruction presents many burdens for patients with end-stage abdominal cancer, such as nausea and vomiting. Few detailed data on the efficacy of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for decompression exists. This retrospective cohort study investigates the quantity of symptom relief realized with PEG and the corresponding complications.

Impact of Different Exercise Programs on Severe Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Anticancer Treatment-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: Physical exercise can alleviate cancer-related fatigue. Randomized controlled trials in patients with advanced cancer are scarce.

Objectives: We test the impact of a structured, individual sports program on fatigue in patients with advanced cancer.

Efficacy and safety of Dexrazoxane (DRZ) in sarcoma patients receiving high cumulative doses of anthracycline therapy - a retrospective study including 32 patients.

Background: Anthracyclines, as the most effective therapy, are the cornerstone of advanced stage sarcoma treatment. However, anthracyclines can also contribute to myocardial dysfunction and congestive heart failure, ultimately limiting the therapeutic potential of the drug. Coadministration of Dexrazoxane has been shown to effectively reduce cardiotoxicity, however primarily in patients suffering in diseases other than sarcoma.

A Questionnaire Study to Assess the Value of the Vulnerable Elders Survey, G8, and Predictors of Toxicity as Screening Tools for Frailty and Toxicity in Geriatric Cancer Patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify an appropriate screening instrument for the identification of frail elderly patients in a tertiary cancer center. In order to improve cancer care for older patients, the use of a geriatric assessment (GA) has been proposed to identify frail patients or those who are at a higher risk for chemotherapy-related toxicities. In busy clinical routine, an appropriate screening instrument could be used to spare time- and resource-consuming application of GA.

Survival of metastatic gastric cancer: Significance of age, sex and race/ethnicity.

Background: Despite the success of modern chemotherapy in the treatment of large bowel cancers, patients with metastatic gastric cancer continue to have a dismal outcome. Identifying predictive and prognostic markers is an important step to improving current treatment approaches and extending survival.

Methods: Extracting data from the US NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries, we compared overall survival for patients with metastatic gastric cancer by gender, age, and ethnicity using Cox proportional hazards models.

Gender disparities in metastatic colorectal cancer survival.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that estrogen prevents colon cancer in postmenopausal women, indicating a role in colorectal cancer carcinogenesis and tumor progression. We investigated the interactions between sex, age, ethnicity, and year of diagnosis on overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC).

Experimental Design: We screened 52,882 patients with MCRC from 1988 to 2004, using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry.