Association between attendance at a specialist palliative care day unit and improvement in patient symptoms and quality of life.

Background: Specialist palliative day care is an area of palliative care which has a notable scarcity of research. Evidence is needed on the role of palliative day care to improve patients' quality of life and symptom management, while recognising the different patient cohorts that use the service.

Aim: To determine the symptoms and quality of life of the patient cohort that are affected by the completion of a full therapeutic cycle (8 to 9 weeks) at a specialist palliative care day unit (SPCDU).

Lymphoedema and oedema in palliative care patients.

Oedema and lymphoedema commonly occur in patients receiving palliative care. Community nurses frequently manage both in the home or must decide to refer for medical or specialist lymphoedema assessment. This article describes the types of oedema seen in palliative care and assists in clinical reasoning around the type of oedema presented and when to refer onwards.

Unusual Sites of High-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinomas: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) encompass a diverse group of varying clinicopathological entities arising from cells of the endocrine and nervous systems. The presentation of these unique tumors can range from occult disease discovered incidentally to hyperactive, metastatic secretory tumors. NETs most commonly originate in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, although they may occur at any site in the body due to the wide distribution of neuroendocrine cells.

Pilot Study: The Effectiveness of Complex Decongestive Therapy for Lymphedema in Palliative Care Patients with Advanced Cancer.

Background: Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is a regimen of physical treatment for lymphedema. Its effectiveness is unknown in advanced cancer patients. This study evaluates effectiveness of CDT in this population.

Assessment, treatment goals and interventions for oedema/lymphoedema in palliative care.

Background: Little is known about the treatment of oedema in palliative care patients.

Aim: To outline the assessment, goals, and interventions for patients with oedema.

Method: A 6-month chart review of a specialist physiotherapy-led oedema service was carried out.