Stepped-care to improve mental health outcomes among underserved patients with lung and head and neck cancer.

Background: The comparative effectiveness study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03016403) assessed the effects of a stepped-care intervention versus usual care on mental health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, coping self-efficacy, emotional distress (anxiety and depression combined), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and perceived stress among underserved patients (i.e.

A practical method for integrating community priorities in planning and implementing cancer control programs.

Purpose: Community engagement is essential in effective public health programs. This paper illustrates the methods used to engage community in the development of a multi-level implementation intervention to address cancer disparities related to hereditary cancer syndromes.

Methods: Implementation Mapping (IM), was used to guide the co-creation of an intervention.

A pilot randomized study of a telephone-based cognitive-behavioral stress-management intervention to reduce distress in phase 1 oncology trial caregivers.

Objectives: Caregivers of adult phase 1 oncology trial patients experience high levels of distress and face barriers to in-person supportive care. The Phase 1 Caregiver LifeLine (P1CaLL) pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and general impact of an individual telephone-based cognitive behavioral stress-management (CBSM) intervention for caregivers of phase I oncology trial patients.

Methods: The pilot study involved 4 weekly adapted CBSM sessions followed by participant randomization to 4 weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions or metta-meditation sessions.

Impacts of breast cancer and chemotherapy on gut microbiome, cognitive functioning, and mood relative to healthy controls.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and physical side effects including disruption in the diversity and community composition of the gut microbiome. To date, there is limited research exploring the associations among these specific challenges. The present cross-sectional study explored the associations of self-reported cognitive functioning, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and gut microbiome diversity and community composition in women who were diagnosed with and undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer (BC) compared to cancer-free healthy controls (HC).

Impact of transitioning to virtual delivery of a cardiovascular health improvement program for Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Community Heart Health Actions for Latinos at Risk (CHARLAR) is a promotora-led cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction program for socio-demographically disadvantaged Latinos and consists of 11 skill-building sessions. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worsening health status in U.S.

Intracranial fungal infection in a nonimmunocompromised patient: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: is a dematiaceous fungus that rarely infects the central nervous system (CNS). It is associated with a mortality rate of over 70% despite treatment.

Case Description: An 81-year-old female with a remote history of renal cell carcinoma presented with progressive headache and an expressive aphasia for 3 days.

What Matters Most? Predictors of Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction Among Young Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: Younger breast cancer survivors face unique challenges, and research is needed to better understand how to optimize their quality of life (QoL) and satisfaction with life (SwL).

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine a biopsychosocial model of QoL and SwL in young breast cancer survivors. Biological, psychological, and social/practical factors were hypothesized to be associated with both distressing and adaptive reactions during survivorship, which in turn were hypothesized to be associated with QoL and SwL.

Pilot RCT of a telehealth intervention to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Adults with cystic fibrosis (awCF) have higher levels of depression and anxiety than community samples. The Coping and Learning to Manage Stress with CF (CALM) intervention was developed for awCF reporting elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Methods: In this pilot study, awCF were randomly assigned to either six telehealth sessions (CALM; n = 15) or treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 16).

A pilot study of mobilized intervention to help caregivers of oncology patients manage distress.

Objective: Caregivers of patients with advanced cancer experience significant anxiety, depression, and distress. Caregivers have barriers to accessing in-person treatment to manage stress. Technology allows for the dissemination of evidence-based interventions in a convenient way.

Central neurocytoma originating in third ventricle with expansion into the cerebral aqueduct and fourth ventricle: Case report and review of literature.

Background: Central Neurocytomas (CNs) are rare brain tumors, making up less than 1% of all primary tumors within the CNS. They are commonly located in the lateral ventricles, and often present with visual changes and symptoms of obstructive hydrocephalus. Histopathology shows characteristics similar to ependymomas and oligodendrogliomas, however tumor cells display neuronal differentiation, and immunohistochemical stains typically for synaptophysin.

Quality of life and the negative impact of comorbidities in long-term colorectal cancer survivors: a population-based comparison.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the USA. The objective of this study was to compare quality of life (QoL) across long-term colorectal cancer survivors and unaffected matched controls while adjusting for comorbidities.

Methods: The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR) was used to randomly select and recruit CRC survivors (≥ 5 years from diagnosis) and matched controls for a cross-sectional survey.

Treatment challenges and support needs of underserved Hispanic patients diagnosed with lung cancer and head-and-neck cancer.

We explored the treatment challenges and support needs that Hispanic underserved lung cancer and head-and-neck cancer patients face while undergoing cancer treatment. Qualitative design - ethnography. Using a sample of 29 participants, we conducted semi-structured interviews with nine lung cancer and head-and-neck cancer survivors and seven health care providers and focus group interviews with six caregivers and seven patient navigators.

A randomized control trial of stress management for caregivers of stem cell transplant patients: Effect on patient quality of life and caregiver distress.

Background: Psychological interventions reduce caregiver distress (CG-distress). Less distress in caregivers may contribute to improved patient quality of life (QoL), but empirical evidence is lacking. Will a caregiver stress management intervention improve patient QoL?

Methods: In this replication study, we randomized 155 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (Allo-HSCT) patients and caregivers to PsychoEducation, Paced Respiration, and Relaxation (PEPRR) or enhanced treatment as usual (eTAU).

Impact of a Mobilized Stress Management Program (Pep-Pal) for Caregivers of Oncology Patients: Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Caregivers of patients with advanced diseases are known to have high levels of distress, including depression and anxiety. Recent research has focused on recognizing caregivers in need of psychosocial support to help them manage their distress. Evidenced-based technological interventions have the potential to aid caregivers in managing distress.

Distress and quality of life in patient and caregiver dyads facing stem cell transplant: identifying overlap and unique contributions.

Purpose: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) is a demanding treatment requiring caregiver support. The pre-transplant period is particularly stressful. How patient and caregiver dyads respond to these stressors can impact post-transplant outcomes.

Lower Cutoffs for LC-MS/MS Urine Drug Testing Indicates Better Patient Compliance.

Background: Urine drug testing is used by health care providers to determine a patient's compliance to their prescribed regimen and to detect non-prescribed medications and illicit drugs. However, the cutoff levels used by clinical labs are often arbitrarily set and may not reflect the urine drug concentrations of compliant patients.

Objectives: Our aim was to test the hypothesis that commonly used cutoffs for many prescribed and illicit drugs were set too high, and methods using these cutoffs may yield a considerable number of false-negative results.

Survivorship Issues in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) individuals with a history of cancer make up a fraction of the total number of cancer survivors in the United States, but they represent a population with needs distinct from either the childhood or the older adult cancer populations. Fertility concerns, psychosocial factors, and health care access are just a few of the distinguishing characteristics. Caring for AYA cancer survivors presents unique opportunities for primary care providers to collaborate with oncology colleagues to minimize the long-term cancer burden.

Correction of: Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Addressing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants: Formative Evaluation With Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/resprot.7075.

Development of a Web-Based Intervention for Addressing Distress in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplants: Formative Evaluation With Qualitative Interviews and Focus Groups.

Background: Caregivers of cancer patients experience significant burden and distress including depression and anxiety. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of an eight session, in-person, one-on-one stress management intervention to reduce distress in caregivers of patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT).

Objective: The objective of this study was to adapt and enhance the in-person caregiver stress management intervention to a mobilized website (eg, tablet, smartphone, or computer-based) for self-delivery in order to enhance dissemination to caregiver populations most in need.

An evidence-based stress management intervention for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant caregivers: development, feasibility and acceptability.

Purpose: Caregivers of cancer patients face challenges impacting their physical, psychological and social well-being that need attention in the form of well-designed and tested interventions. We created an eight-session individual stress management intervention for caregivers of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (Allo-HSCT) recipients. This intervention, tested by randomized control trial, proved effective in decreasing distress.

A Novel Use of Direct Platelet Application During Surgery for Clopidogrel-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy is associated with increased rates of intracerebral hemorrhage, especially in the context of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present a case of a spontaneous hemorrhage in a patient treated with a Pipeline stent for a ruptured dissecting vertebrobasilar aneurysm and the novel use of direct application of platelets during surgery to control bleeding.

Case Description: A 54-year-old previously healthy woman presented with an intradural right vertebral artery dissection with a ruptured 6-mm pseudoaneurysm.

Development of a Primary Care-Based Clinic to Support Adults With a History of Childhood Cancer: The Tactic Clinic.

Purpose: Describe the development and evolution of a primary-care-based, multidisciplinary clinic to support the ongoing care of adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods: A consultative clinic for adult survivors of childhood cancer has been developed that is located in an adult, academic internal medicine setting and is based on a long-term follow-up clinic model available at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Results: The clinic opened in July 2008.