Five-Year Trends in Reported National Football League Injuries.

Objective: To determine the incidence of all-cause injury and concussion in the National Football League (NFL) over a 5-season time span (2012-2016).

Design: Prospective descriptive epidemiological study.

Setting: National Football League Injury Report data from 2012 to 2016.

Quality of life (QOL) and symptom burden (SB) in patients with breast cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) and symptom burden (SB) among breast cancer patients.

Methods: Patients with DCIS, early stage, locally advanced, or metastatic breast cancer completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Patients were divided into subsequent cohorts based on their last day of treatment, age at enrollment, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy.

Quality of life and symptom burden in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the symptom burden (SB) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Methods: Breast cancer patients with metastases were asked to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and FACT-B questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed to identify (1) any differences in SB and QOL between patients with bone metastases only and patients with visceral +/- bone metastases and (2) any associations between SB and/or QOL and various clinical factors, including treatment with bisphosphonates, participation in a clinical trial and presence of brain metastases.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for non-spine bone metastases--a review of the literature.

Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has the ability to deliver significantly higher biologically equivalent doses (BED) compared to conventional radiation treatment. The main goal of SBRT is to improve local tumor control while reducing pain. The side effects however may be greater than those of conventional treatment.

Quality of life after palliative radiotherapy in bone metastases: A literature review.

Objective: To investigate the quality of life (QOL) following palliative radiotherapy for painful bone metastases.

Methods: A literature search was conducted in OvidSP Medline (1946-Jan Week 4 2014), Embase (1947-Week 5 2014), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Dec 2013) databases. The search was limited to English.

Quality of life and symptom burden in patients with breast cancer treated with mastectomy and lumpectomy.

Introduction: Mastectomy (MAS) and lumpectomy (LUMP) are the two common local surgical treatments for early breast cancer. There has been a debate whether MAS or LUMP results in better quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study was to examine the symptom burden (SB) and QOL of both MAS and LUMP patients.

Impaired timing of audiovisual events in the elderly.

Perceptual binding of multisensory events occurs within a limited time span known as the temporal binding window. Failure to correctly identify whether multisensory events occur simultaneously, what their temporal order is, or whether they should be causally bound can lead to inaccurate representations of the physical world, poor decision-making, and dangerous behavior. It has been shown that the ability to discriminate simultaneity, temporal order, and causal relationships among stimuli can become increasingly difficult as we age.

Prophylactic dexamethasone effectively reduces the incidence of pain flare following spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT): a prospective observational study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of pain flare (PF) in patients receiving spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treated with prophylactic oral dexamethasone (DEX) 1 h before and for 4 days following SBRT.

Methods: Forty-seven patients were accrued on this prospective observational study. The first cohort of 24 patients was treated with 4 mg, while a second cohort of 23 patients treated with 8 mg of DEX.

Minimal clinically important differences in the EORTC QLQ-BN20 in patients with brain metastases.

Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) is an important treatment endpoint in advanced cancer patients with brain metastases. In clinical trials, statistically significant changes can be reached in a large enough population; however, these changes may not be clinically relevant.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire brain module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) in patients with brain metastases.

Symptom clusters of gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy using the Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) quality-of-life tool.

Objective: The Functional Living Index-Emesis (FLIE) instrument is a validated nausea and vomiting specific quality of life (QOL) tool originally created as a 3-day test of the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting on cancer patients' daily life. The primary objective of the present study was to retrospectively explore the use of the FLIE from data obtained in a previously published study of patients with gastrointestinal radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV) and compare the extracted symptom clusters on a weekly basis for the entirety of gastrointestinal cancer patients' radiotherapy treatments.

Methods: QOL was assessed on a weekly basis using the 18-item FLIE questionnaire for patients' radiotherapy treatments.

Psychometric validation of the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) version 1.0 to assess quality of life in patients with brain metastases.

Objective: To test the reliability, clinical and psychometric validity of the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) in patients with brain metastases.

Methods: Brain metastases patients were interviewed using the BASIQ, Functional Assessment of Cancer-Brain (FACT-Br) and FACT-General (FACT-G) at baseline, with a follow-up assessment at 1 month.

Results: Forty patients had complete one data and the median age was 64 years.

Validation of the long-term quality of life breast cancer scale (LTQOL-BC) by health care professionals.

Introduction: Quality of life has become an important measure of treatment success and is currently being explored not only for patients on active treatment, but also for long-term breast cancer survivors. The long-term quality of life breast cancer scale (LTQOL-BC) is a tool to assess QOL in breast cancer survivors. This study aimed to validate the tool with health care professionals (HCPs).

Student Accomplishments in the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program: A 10-Year Review.

In 1996, the Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre developed the Rapid Response Radiotherapy Program (RRRP). The objective of this clinic is to consult, simulate, plan, and treat patients with palliative radiotherapy on the same day. In 2004, the RRRP initiated a program to provide clinical and research experience to undergraduate students interested in health sciences.

Development, characteristics and validity of the EORTC QLQ-PR25 and the FACT-P for assessment of quality of life in prostate cancer patients.

This review aims to compare and contrast the development, characteristics and validity of two widely used quality of life assessment tools in patients with prostate cancers: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-PR25) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACT-P). Both questionnaires present several strengths as well as some limitations in measuring the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. Each tool may be selected accordingly based on study design and needs.

Validation of the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) to assess symptom and quality of life in brain metastases.

Objective: To validate the Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ) version 1.0 for brain metastases.

Methods: Patients with brain metastases and their healthcare professionals (HCPs) assessed the relevance of the BASIQ on a 0-10 scale with 10 as extremely relevant.

Breakthrough cancer pain: a comparison of surveys with European and Canadian patients.

Introduction: Breakthrough cancer pain is defined as a transient exacerbation of pain that occurs spontaneously or in response to a trigger, despite stable and controlled background pain. Breakthrough pain often causes significant functional impairments for patients and can decrease quality of life.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine differences between breakthrough cancer pain incidence and management in Canada and Europe.

Overall response rates to radiation therapy for patients with painful uncomplicated bone metastases undergoing initial treatment and retreatment.

Introduction: Radiation therapy has been shown to successfully palliate bone metastases. A number of systematic reviews and large clinical trials have reported response rates for initial treatment and retreatment.

Objective: To determine overall response rates of patients with painful uncomplicated bone metastases undergoing initial treatment and retreatment.

Comparison of the EORTC QLQ-BN20 and the FACT-Br quality of life questionnaires for patients with primary brain cancers: a literature review.

Purpose: This review compares and contrasts the development, validity, and characteristics of two quality of life (QOL) assessment tools used in patients with primary brain cancers: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Brain Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BN20) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br).

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (June 2013), Ovid EMBASE (1947 to 2013, week 27), and Ovid MEDLINE (1946 to July 2013, week 1) to identify studies that discussed the development, characteristics, validity, and reliability of the EORTC QLQ-BN20 or the FACT-Br.

Results: The EORTC QLQ-BN20 consists of 20 items that assess future uncertainty, visual disorder, motor dysfunction, and communication deficit.

Comparison of three shortened questionnaires for assessment of quality of life in advanced cancer.

Objective: Quality of life (QoL) assessment questionnaires can be burdensome to advanced cancer patients, thus necessitating the need for shorter assessment instruments than traditionally available. We compare three shortened QoL questionnaires in regards to their characteristics, validity, and reliability.

Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify studies that employed or discussed three abridged QoL questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core 15-Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General-7 (FACT-G7), and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care-14 (FACIT-PAL-14).

Review of international patterns of practice for the treatment of painful bone metastases with palliative radiotherapy from 1993 to 2013.

Background And Purpose: Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have affirmed that single and multiple fractions of radiotherapy provide equally efficacious outcomes in the palliation of painful, uncomplicated bone metastases (UBM). We aim to determine geographic, temporal and ancillary factors that influence the global patterns of practice in this setting.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE.

The effects of denosumab on calcium profiles in advanced cancer patients with bone metastases.

Objective: To retrospectively examine the incidence and management of hypocalcemia for patients with bone metastases treated with denosumab.

Methods: Patients who had a record of filling a prescription of denosumab for treatment of bone metastases at the outpatient pharmacy at the Odette Cancer Centre from May 2011 to February 2013 were included in the analysis. Demographic information, previous bisphosphonate usage, calcium and albumin values, and adverse events were obtained using the Sunnybrook Electronic Patient Record system (EPR) and the Oncology Symptom Control and Information Resource (OSCIR).

Fatigue scores in patients with brain metastases receiving whole brain radiotherapy.

Purpose: Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a treatment strategy used commonly to relieve burdensome symptoms and improve quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple brain metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine changes in fatigue score following WBRT as it is a common symptom experienced in this population.

Methods: Fatigue and overall QOL scores were collected prospectively in patients for up to 3 months post-WBRT by several questionnaires at different times including the following: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), Brain Symptom and Impact Questionnaire (BASIQ), Spitzer Questionnaire, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC brain module (EORTC QLQ-BN20+2), EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G).

A prospective study of gastrointestinal radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Objective: Nausea and vomiting are common side effects from radiotherapy that can interfere with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients' quality of life (QOL). A prospective study among patients with GI cancers was conducted to document the timing, incidence and risk factors of radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV).

Methods: Forty-eight patients planned to receive curative or palliative intent abdominal and/or pelvic radiotherapy alone or with concomitant chemoradiotherapy were followed prospectively.

Psychometric validation of the functional assessment of cancer therapy--brain (FACT-Br) for assessing quality of life in patients with brain metastases.

Objective: This study aimed to test the reliability, psychometric, and clinical validity of the use of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--Brain (FACT-Br) in patients with brain metastases.

Methods: Patients with brain metastases were interviewed using the FACT-Br (including the FACT-general) 1 week prior to treatment. All patients completed a follow-up assessment 1 month post-treatment.