Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography for Cardioncological Evaluation in Bevacizumab-Treated Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Angiogenesis inhibitor Bevacizumab (BVZ) may lead to the development of adverse effects, including hypertension and cardiac ischemia. Whether assessment of changes in myocardial strain by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can be of value in detecting BVZ-mediated cardiotoxicity at an earlier stage is not known. We investigated whether 2D-STE can non-invasively detect early evidence of cardiotoxicity in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with BVZ.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of a ginger extract in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving high-dose cisplatin.

Background: The activity of ginger in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) has been suggested, but design inadequacies, heterogeneity of the population, small numbers and poor quality of tested products limit the possibility to offer generalizable results.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in patients planned to receive ≥2 chemotherapy cycles with high dose (>50 mg/m2) cisplatin. Patients received ginger 160 mg/day (with standardized dose of bioactive compounds) or placebo in addition to the standard antiemetic prophylaxis for CINV, starting from the day after cisplatin administration.

Is it possible to encourage hope in non-advanced cancer patients? We must try.

Background: Data are lacking on the relationship between hope and other variables in non-advanced cancer patients. The study explored the relationship between hope, symptoms, needs, and spirituality/religiosity in patients treated in a supportive care unit (SCU).

Patients And Methods: From September 2013 to March 2014, the consecutive patients who accepted to complete: (i) Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ), (ii) the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), (iii) Hope Herth Index (HHI), and (iv) the System of Belief Inventory (SBI) were enrolled.

Nausea and vomiting during the first 3 intercycle periods in chemo-naive cancer patients receiving moderately/highly emetogenic therapy.

Aims And Background: There is a paucity of data regarding the incidence, intensity, and treatment of nausea and vomiting during the intercycle periods of chemotherapy (CHT). The aims of the study were to assess the incidence and intensity of intercycle nausea and vomiting, to assess the use of rescue antiemetic medications, and to define the more uncomfortable symptom between nausea and vomiting.

Methods: In a prospective study, 108 chemotherapy-naive patients treated with highly or moderately emetogenic CHT for different primary cancers were enrolled.

Sexual satisfaction assessment in 194 nonmetastatic cancer patients on treatment or in follow-up.

Aims And Background: Sexuality is an important aspect of quality of life, but health care professionals still avoid discussing sexual issues with cancer patients.

Methods And Study Design: We present a secondary analysis of sexuality issues according to the results of a survey on 266 patients with early-stage cancer. The aim of the survey was to ascertain the feasibility and clinical usefulness of questionnaires (Patient Dignity Inventory, PDI; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS; Edmonton Symptom Assesssment Scale, ESAS; FACIT-spiritual well-being scale, FACIT-SP; System of Belief Inventory, SBI-15R) investigating aspects such as dignity, hope and research of meaning in life.