Associations among hearing loss, multiple co-occurring symptoms, and quality of life outcomes in cancer survivors.

Purpose: Evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, occurrence of common symptoms, symptom severity scores, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in survivors with (n = 155) and without (n = 118) audiometrically confirmed hearing loss.

Methods: Survivors, who were recruited from throughout the San Francisco Bay area, completed the self-report questionnaires to obtain the information of demographic and clinical characteristics; the occurrence and severity of depression, anxiety, fatigue, decrements in energy, sleep disturbance, pain, and cognitive impairment; and the general and cancer-specific QOL outcomes. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to evaluate for differences between the two survivor groups.

Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Using Negative Pressure Massage: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure massage treatment (NPMT) compared with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in women with chronic breast cancer-related lymphedema (LE). We hypothesized that NPMT would result in greater improvements in LE and upper limb function.

Design: Pilot single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Assessment of Arm Volume Using a Tape Measure Versus a 3D Optical Scanner in Survivors with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Lymphedema (LE) is a significant clinical problem for breast cancer survivors. While the water displacement test and circumferential assessment using a tape measure (TM) are common methods to assess differences in arm volumes, faster and more reliable methods are needed. Study purposes, in breast cancer survivors ( = 294), were to compare the average total arm volumes and interlimb volume ratios for women with and without a history of LE, using a TM and three-dimensional (3D), whole-body surface scanner (3D scan); compare the level of agreement between arm volumes and interlimb volume ratios obtained using the two devices; and evaluate the percent agreement between the two measures in classifying cases of LE using three accepted thresholds.

A Comparison of Supine Versus Stand-on Bioimpedance Devices to Assess Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

While supine bioimpedance devices are used to evaluate for lymphedema (LE), stand-on devices are gaining popularity. Because research on differences in bioimpedance values between the two devices is limited, this study's purposes were to: (1) determine the average upper limb impedance values and inter-limb ratios for women who self-reported having ( = 34) or not having ( = 61) a history of LE, using a single-frequency supine device and a multifrequency stand-on device; (2) compare the level of agreement in inter-limb impedance ratios between the two devices; evaluate the percent agreement between the two devices in classifying cases of LE using established supine thresholds; and evaluate the percent agreement in classifying cases of LE between the supine device using previously established supine thresholds and the stand-on device using two published standing thresholds. Bioimpedance measures were done using the two devices.

Distinct attentional function profiles in older adults receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Purpose: While attentional function is an extremely important patient outcome for older adults, research on changes in function in this group is extremely limited. The purposes of this study were to: identify subgroups of older patients (i.e.

Contribution of Loss of Large Fiber Function to Pain in 2 Samples of Oncology Patients.

Objectives: Numbness associated with neuropathic pain suggests the loss of function in myelinated, large diameter sensory neurons. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between pain severity and subjective (ie, severity of numbness) and objective (ie, loss of light touch sensations, vibration thresholds) measures of loss of large fiber function in adult survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN, n=426) and breast cancer patients with persistent postsurgical pain (n=80).

Material And Methods: For both samples, average pain and numbness were evaluated using a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale.

Assessment of local tissue water in the arms and trunk of breast cancer survivors with and without upper extremity lymphoedema.

Given the paucity of information on local tissue water (LTW) in the upper extremity and trunk of women after breast cancer surgery, the purpose of this study was to compare tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values between the affected and unaffected sides of breast cancer survivors with and without upper extremity lymphoedema (LE). Differences in LTW were assessed using the TDC method for three sites in the upper limbs, three sites in the lateral thorax and two sites on the back. Additional measures included demographic and clinical characteristics, arm circumference and bioimpedance analysis.

Phenotypic Characterization of Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors.

Context: Although paclitaxel is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat breast, ovarian, and lung cancers, little is known about the impact of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) on cancer survivors.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics as well as measures of sensation, balance, upper extremity function, perceived stress, symptom burden, and quality of life (QOL) between survivors who received paclitaxel and did (n = 153) and did not (n = 58) develop PIPN.

Methods: Pain characteristics associated with PIPN are described in detail.

Characteristics Associated With Physical Function Trajectories in Older Adults With Cancer During Chemotherapy.

Context: Studies on physical function trajectories in older adults during chemotherapy remain limited.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics associated with initial levels as well as trajectories of physical function over two cycles of chemotherapy in adults aged ≥65 years with breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer.

Methods: Older adults with cancer (n = 363) who had received chemotherapy within the preceding four weeks were assessed six times over two cycles of chemotherapy using the Short Form-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score.

Associations Between Perceived Stress and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Otoxicity in Adult Cancer Survivors.

Context: The most common adverse effects from neurotoxic chemotherapy are chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIPN), hearing loss, and tinnitus. Although associations between perceived stress and persistent pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus are documented, no studies have examined these associations in cancer survivors who received neurotoxic chemotherapy.

Objectives: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated for associations between perceived stress and the occurrence of CIPN, hearing loss, and tinnitus, in 623 adult cancer survivors who received platinum and/or taxane compounds.

Hearing loss and tinnitus in survivors with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in demographic, clinical, and pain characteristics, as well as measures of sensation, balance, perceived stress, symptom burden, and quality of life (QOL) among survivors who received neurotoxic chemotherapy (CTX) and who reported only chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN, n = 217), CIN and hearing loss (CIN/HL, n = 69), or CIN, hearing loss, and tinnitus (CIN/HL/TIN, n = 85). We hypothesized that as the number of neurotoxicities increased, survivors would have worse outcomes.

Methods: Survivors were recruited from throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Impact of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicities on adult cancer survivors' symptom burden and quality of life.

Purpose: Limited information is available on the impact of chemotherapy (CTX)-induced neurotoxicity on adult survivors' symptom experience and quality of life (QOL). Purposes were to describe occurrence of hearing loss and tinnitus and evaluate for differences in phenotypic characteristics and measures of sensation, balance, perceived stress, symptom burden, and QOL between survivors who received neurotoxic CTX and did (i.e.

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms Associated With Various Domains of Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer.

Context: Little is known about the phenotypic and molecular characteristics associated with various domains of quality of life (QOL) in women after breast cancer surgery.

Objectives: In a sample of women with breast cancer (n = 398), purposes were as follows: to identify latent classes with distinct trajectories of QOL from before surgery through six months after surgery and to evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as for polymorphisms in cytokine genes, between these latent classes.

Methods: Latent class analyses were done to identify subgroups of patients with distinct QOL outcomes.

Influence of Menopausal Status on the Symptom Experience of Women Before Breast Cancer Surgery.

Background: Breast cancer treatments can change women's hormonal milieu and alter their symptom experience. Little is known about associations between menopausal status and menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer before surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in occurrence, severity, and distress of symptoms between premenopausal and postmenopausal women before breast cancer surgery.

Differential expression of genes and differentially perturbed pathways associated with very high evening fatigue in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: Fatigue is the most common symptom associated with cancer and its treatment. Investigation of molecular mechanisms associated with fatigue in oncology patients may identify new therapeutic targets. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between gene expression and perturbations in biological pathways and evening fatigue severity in oncology patients who received chemotherapy (CTX).

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms Associated With Symptom Clusters in Oncology Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy.

Context: Most of the reviews on the biological basis for symptom clusters suggest that inflammatory processes are involved in the development and maintenance of the symptom clusters. However, no studies have evaluated for associations between genetic polymorphisms and common symptom clusters (e.g.

Distinct Physical Function Profiles in Older Adults Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy.

Context: Although physical function is an important patient outcome, little is known about changes in physical function in older adults receiving chemotherapy (CTX).

Objectives: Identify subgroups of older patients based on changes in their level of physical function; determine which demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with subgroup membership; and determine if these subgroups differed on quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes.

Methods: Latent profile analysis was used to identify groups of older oncology patients (n = 363) with distinct physical function profiles.

Potassium Channel Candidate Genes Predict the Development of Secondary Lymphedema Following Breast Cancer Surgery.

Background: Potassium (K) channels play an important role in lymph pump activity, lymph formation, lymph transport, and the functions of lymph nodes. No studies have examined the relationship between K channel candidate genes and the development of secondary lymphedema (LE).

Objective: The study purpose was to evaluate for differences in genotypic characteristics in women who did (n = 155) or did not (n = 387) develop upper extremity LE following breast cancer treatment based on an analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in 10 K channel genes.

Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors.

Context: Evidence suggests that chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN) is a significant problem for cancer survivors. However, a detailed phenotypic characterization of CIN in cancer survivors is not available.

Objectives: To evaluate between-group differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as in measures of sensation, function, and postural control, in a sample of cancer survivors who received a platinum and/or a taxane-based CTX regimen and did (n = 426) and did not (n = 197) develop CIN.

Associations Between Neurotransmitter Genes and Fatigue and Energy Levels in Women After Breast Cancer Surgery.

Context: Fatigue is a common problem in oncology patients. Less is known about decrements in energy levels and the mechanisms that underlie both fatigue and energy.

Objectives: In patients with breast cancer, variations in neurotransmitter genes between lower and higher fatigue latent classes and between the higher and lower energy latent classes were evaluated.

Factors associated with oncology patients' involvement in shared decision making during chemotherapy.

Objective: Oncology patients are increasingly encouraged to play an active role in treatment decision making. While previous studies have evaluated relationships between demographic characteristics and decision-making roles, less is known about the association of symptoms and psychological adjustment characteristics (eg, coping styles and personality traits) and decision-making roles.

Methods: As part of a larger study of symptom clusters, patients (n = 765) receiving chemotherapy for breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer provided information on demographic, clinical, symptom, and psychological adjustment characteristics.

Gene Expression Profiling of Evening Fatigue in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer.

Moderate-to-severe fatigue occurs in up to 94% of oncology patients undergoing active treatment. Current interventions for fatigue are not efficacious. A major impediment to the development of effective treatments is a lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying fatigue.

Predictors of Altered Upper Extremity Function During the First Year After Breast Cancer Treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate trajectories of and predictors for changes in upper extremity (UE) function in women (n = 396) during the first year after breast cancer treatment.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal assessments of shoulder range of motion (ROM), grip strength, and perceived interference of function were performed before and for 1 year after surgery. Demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics were evaluated as predictors of postoperative function.

Differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and quality of life outcomes among oncology patients with different types of pain.

The purposes of this study, in oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy (n = 926), were to: describe the occurrence of different types of pain (ie, no pain, only noncancer pain [NCP], only cancer pain [CP], or both CP and NCP) and evaluate for differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics, and quality of life (QOL) among the 4 groups. Patients completed self-report questionnaires on demographic and symptom characteristics and QOL. Patients who had pain were asked to indicate if it was or was not related to their cancer or its treatment.