A genome-wide association study of European advanced cancer patients treated with opioids identifies regulatory variants on chromosome 20 associated with pain intensity.

Background: Opioids in step III of the WHO analgesic ladder are the standard of care for treating cancer pain. However, a significant minority of patients do not benefit from therapy. Genetics might play a role in predisposing patients to a good or poor response to opioids.

Identification of palliative care needs and prognostic factors of survival in tailoring appropriate interventions in advanced oncological, renal and pulmonary diseases: a prospective observational protocol.

Introduction: It is estimated that of those who die in high-income countries, 69%-82% would benefit from palliative care with a high prevalence of advanced chronic conditions and limited life prognosis. A positive response to these challenges would consist of integrating the palliative approach into all healthcare settings, for patients with all types of advanced medical conditions, although poor clinician awareness and the difficulty of applying criteria to identify patients in need still pose significant barriers. The aim of this project is to investigate whether the combined use of the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO and Palliative Prognostic (PaP) Score tools offers valuable screening methods to identify patients suffering from advanced chronic disease with limited life prognosis and likely to need palliative care, such as cancer, chronic renal or chronic respiratory failure.

Radiotherapy and palliative care outpatient clinic: a new healthcare integrated model in Italy.

Background: On the basis of substantial evidence demonstrate that palliative care combined with standard care improves patient, caregiver, and society outcomes, we have developed a new healthcare model called radiotherapy and palliative care (RaP) outpatient clinic were a radiation oncologist and a palliative care physician make a joint evaluation of advanced cancer patients.

Methods: We performed a monocentric observational cohort study on advanced cancer patients referred for evaluation at the RaP outpatient clinic. Measures of quality of care were carried out.

Prognostication in palliative radiotherapy-ProPaRT: Accuracy of prognostic scores.

Background: Prognostication can be used within a tailored decision-making process to achieve a more personalized approach to the care of patients with cancer. This prospective observational study evaluated the accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic score (PaP score) to predict survival in patients identified by oncologists as candidates for palliative radiotherapy (PRT). We also studied interrater variability for the clinical prediction of survival and PaP scores and assessed the accuracy of the Survival Prediction Score (SPS) and TEACHH score.

Nurse-led telephone follow-up for early palliative care patients with advanced cancer.

Aim And Objectives: To present our experience of a nursing telephone consultation service, describing patient and caregiver requests, and outlining ensuing nursing or medical interventions.

Background: Recently, there has been an increase in the use of telephone consultation for cancer patients. However, there is still limited data on the characteristics of this type of service and on the nature of the interventions carried out.

Methadone as First-line Opioid for the Management of Cancer Pain.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of methadone when used as first-line therapy in patients that are either receiving low doses of opioids or none.

Methods: Patients with advanced cancer were prospectively assessed. Opioid-naive patients (L-group) were started with methadone at 6 mg/day.

Case Report: Adult NTRK-Rearranged Spindle Cell Neoplasm: Early Tumor Shrinkage in a Case With Bone and Visceral Metastases Treated With Targeted Therapy.

Background: NTRK (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase)-rearranged spindle cell neoplasms are a new group of tumors included in the new 5 edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas. These tumors are characterized by NTRK gene fusions and show a wide spectrum of histologies and clinical behavior. Several targeted therapies have recently been approved for tumors harboring NTRK fusions, including STS.

Patients with multiple myeloma referred for palliative care consultation: from retrospective analysis to future directions to improve clinical outcomes.

Introduction: New treatments have improved the overall survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). At diagnosis and during the course of the disease, patients often report pain and other symptoms. Given the long disease trajectory, psychological and social issues are also frequent.

Intravenous Iron Replacement Therapy Improves Cardiovascular Outcomes in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background/aim: More than half of deaths among hemodialysis patients are due to cardiovascular disease. This study examined whether intravenous administration of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has an impact on cardiovascular events in iron-deficient hemodialysis patients.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective study concerning patients undergoing hemodialysis in our center from September 2016 to December 2019.

Does Delirium Phenomenology in Persons with Advanced Cancer Follow a Specific Pattern?

Recognizing delirium phenomenology (DP) aids the early diagnosis of this syndrome and improves quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the neurobehavioral and cognitive patterns of delirium-related symptoms in persons with advanced cancer. We conducted an observational comparative prospective study on delirium in patients with advanced cancer in different palliative care settings, assessing the presentation/evolution of DP with the Memorial delirium assessment scale (MDAS).

Palliative care: not only for treating symptoms: a case report.

Introduction: Palliative care (PC) aims to treat symptoms independently of the disease. In many medical disciplines, including oncology, there is an emphasis on personalizing treatment, identifying the most effective therapeutic option by studying the genetic heritage of the patient and the molecular characteristics of the disease. PC, on the other hand, encompasses the overall (physical and spiritual) well-being of the patient and his or her caregivers.

Delirium Rates in Advanced Cancer Patients Admitted to Different Palliative Care Settings: Does It Make the Difference?

Delirium in advanced cancer inpatient ranges between 13% and 85%. Reasons for this variability on the reported data could be related to the setting where they are admitted. This is an observational, comparative, prospective study on delirium diagnosis and delirium course of advanced cancer inpatients in two different palliative care settings.

[Characteristics and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome in Italian-born patients and immigrants: a population-based observational study using health administrative data of the Emilia-Romagna Region].

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in relation to country of origin.

Methods: The study population included patients living in the Emilia-Romagna Region and discharged from 2012 to 2014 with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (with [STEMI] and without ST-elevation). The study outcomes were: percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 48 hours of admission for STEMI, 30-day all-cause mortality, 1-year all-cause mortality, 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and adherence to post-infarction medications.

[Idiopathic massive myocardial calcification: a rare cause of heart failure].

Massive myocardial calcification is a very rare finding usually associated with previous myocardial infarction, ventricular aneurysms, myocarditis, endomyocardial fibrosis, tuberculosis and systemic metabolic disease such as sarcoidosis and primary hyperoxaluria. Rarely, it can be associated with idiopathic mitral annular calcification or rheumatic heart disease. We report an unusual case of massive myocardial calcification without other predisposing factors and with documented disease progression.

Sex differences in the management of acute coronary syndromes in Italy: data from the MANTRA registry.

Aims: Several studies have shown sex differences in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), but their understanding is far from complete. Thus, the study aims to evaluate sex differences in management and outcomes of unselected patients with ACS.

Methods And Results: From 22 April 2009 to 29 December 2010, 6394 consecutive patients with ACS (44.

Combining therapeutic hypothermia and emergent coronary angiography in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors: Optimal post-arrest care for the best patient.

Background: Aggressive post-resuscitation care, in particular combining mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) with early coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), may improve prognosis after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Objectives: The study aims to assess the value of immediate CAG or PCI in comatose survivors after OHCA treated with MTH and their association with outcomes.

Methods: Observational, prospective analysis of all comatose, resuscitated patients treated with MTH at a tertiary centre and undergoing CAG or PCI ≤6 hours after OHCA, or non-invasively managed.

Alternative schedules or integration strategies to maximise treatment duration with sunitinib in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumour of the gastrointestinal tract. The advent of targeted kinase-inhibitors has revolutionised treatment strategies and clinical outcomes for patients with advanced GIST. In the majority of countries, sunitinib is the only approved second-line treatment option for advanced GIST patients, who are resistant or intolerant to imatinib.

Long-term durable response to lenalidomide in a patient with hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare tumor arising from the vascular endothelial cells of soft tissue or visceral organs. The most common visceral site is the liver, where it is often involved in a multifocal manner known as hepatic EH (HEH). Surgical resection with curative intent represents the gold standard therapy.