Treatment of cancer-related anorexia with olanzapine and megestrol acetate: a randomized trial.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of megestrol acetate (MA) and olanzapine (OLN) for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia (CRA).

Methods: Eighty adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer or lung cancer (stages III and IV) with CRA (loss of appetite and greater than or equal to 5% loss of preillness stable weight) were randomized to receive daily MA or MA plus OLN for a period of 8 weeks. Patients were assessed weekly using the M.

Treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with early stage breast cancer undergoing adjuvant therapy.

Background: Studies have shown that there is a high prevalence of depression in cancer patients. Women with breast cancer may have an even higher risk of depression particularly in a postmenopausal or estrogen deficiency state. A small number of randomized controlled trials have examined the efficacy of antidepressants compared to that of a placebo in cancer patients, but some results have been difficult to interpret due to a heterogeneous patient group.