Quantitative assessment of appearance changes and related distress in cancer patients.

Objectives: This study examined both the frequency of appearance-related symptoms and distress resulting from these symptoms in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: Self-report questionnaires were distributed to 753 outpatients receiving ≧ 4 weeks of treatment at an outpatient chemotherapy center. Valid responses were returned by 638 patients (response rate, 84.

Feasibility and usefulness of the 'Distress Screening Program in Ambulatory Care' in clinical oncology practice.

Objective: Although the implementation of routine screening for distress is desirable, doing so is difficult in today's busy clinical oncology practice. We developed the 'Distress Screening Program in Ambulatory Care' (DISPAC program) as a practical means of screening for and facilitating the treatment of major depression and adjustment disorders in cancer patients. This study assessed the feasibility and usefulness of the DISPAC program in actual clinical situations.

Outpatient clinic for genetic counseling and gene testing of retinoblastoma.

We report on the genetic counseling and gene testing of patients with retinoblastoma who visited the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, from April 1997 through September 2003. During this period, 73 probands visited the clinic, and gene testing was performed in 51 individuals. Germline mutations of the RBI gene were detected in 20 individuals (39%); the frequencies were 82% (9/11) in bilateral/familial retinoblastoma, 50% (2/4) in unilateral/familial retinoblastoma, 50% (8/16) in bilateral/nonfamilial retinoblastoma, and 5% (1/20) in unilateral/nonfamilial retinoblastoma.