Biomarkers of systemic inflammation provide additional prognostic stratification in cancers of unknown primary.

Background: Biomarkers of systemic inflammation have been shown to predict outcomes in patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP). We sought to validate these findings in patients with confirmed CUP (cCUP) and explore their role alongside existing clinicopathological prognostic categories.

Patients And Methods: CUP oncologist from across the United Kingdom were invited to include patients with cCUP referred to their local CUP multidisciplinary team.

Characterisation and outcomes of patients referred to a regional cancer of unknown primary team: a 10-year analysis.

Background: In the United Kingdom, national guidance published in 2010 recommended the establishment of specialist teams to improve clinical pathways for patients presenting with malignancies of undefined primary origin (MUO) and cancer of unknown primary (CUP). This study sought to define outcomes of patients referred to a regional MUO/CUP service.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively on all patients (n = 1225) referred to a regional CUP team over a 10-year period.

Late effects and quality of life after chemo-radiation for the treatment of anal cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the late effects and quality of life of patients following chemo-radiation treatment for anal cancer.

Methods: All surviving anal cancer patients treated within NHS Lothian between 1990 and 2007 were invited to participate. Data were collected using the EORTC QLQ-C30, the EORTC QLQ-CR38 and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Instrument (MSKCC).

Long term effect of surgery and radiotherapy for colorectal cancer on defecatory function and quality of life.

Purpose: Survival from rectal cancer has improved substantially. Understanding the consequences of treatment is important to optimise patient support and minimise impact on daily life. We aimed to define the long-term prevalence of pelvic dysfunction following curative rectal cancer surgery (+/- radiotherapy) within the context of overall quality of life.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) testing in colorectal cancer follow up: what do patients think?

The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) blood test is included in most colorectal cancer follow up protocols, despite little clear evidence for its cost-effectiveness and survival benefit. In this study, patients' views were sought on the use of the CEA blood test in their follow up. Strong associations were found between the age of a patient's children and their concern about cancer recurrence and between concern about recurrence and anxiety about CEA test results (p<0.

Implementation and evaluation of a pilot education programme in colorectal cancer management for nurses in Scotland.

This paper describes the results of an evaluation of a nursing education programme for nurses caring for patients with colorectal cancer. A sample of 67 registered nurses from 6 location sites within the 3 Regional Cancer Networks in Scotland were recruited to the pilot. The programme was adapted from an evidence-based education manual for nurses in the management of colorectal cancer developed by the European Oncology Nursing Society as part of a Nursing in Colorectal Cancer Initiative (NICCI) [Hawthorn, J.

Developing and piloting a nurse-led model of follow-up in the multidisciplinary management of colorectal cancer.

One of the main challenges of colorectal cancer follow-up is the detection of early disease in order to influence survival and improve outcome. Yet, the benefits of follow-up are not only related to survival. It is well documented that patients can experience an array of problems following colorectal cancer surgery which impact upon quality of life, therefore symptom management plays an important part in the overall spectrum of follow-up care.

Assessing fatigue and self-care strategies in patients receiving radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer represents a major public health problem worldwide (ISD 2000) with approximately 80% of patients presenting with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Treatment is essentially palliative; therefore, symptom management is important. This paper describes the findings from a prospective study of fatigue in newly diagnosed patients with non-small cell lung cancer.