Publications by authors named "Kay Xu"

Purpose: Scan-associated anxiety ('scanxiety') is a problem for people with advanced cancer. We aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and associations of scanxiety in this population.

Methods: People with advanced cancer and a computed tomography scan within the last 4 months completed a multicentre survey including self-rated presence (yes/no) and severity (distress thermometer, 0-10) of scanxiety, state anxiety (STAI-6), clinical anxiety and depression (HADS), and fear of progression (FOP-Q-SF).

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Background: The introduction of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitors and their subsequent listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for use in metastatic melanomas, renal cell carcinomas and non-small-cell lung cancers has resulted in routine use of these agents in oncology practices, including in regional areas. Although immunotherapeutic agents generally have a favourable toxicity profile compared to chemotherapy, they can provoke immune-related adverse effects (irAE) caused by an unregulated and hyperstimulated immune response. Some of these effects can be serious and life-threatening.

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