Exploring the perceived changes and the reasons why expected outcomes were not obtained in individual levels in a successful regional palliative care intervention trial: an analysis for interpretations.

Context: The Japan Outreach Palliative Care Trial of Integrated Model (OPTIM) study, a mixed-methods study to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive regional palliative care program, revealed that the program provided broad positive outcomes at the regional level: increased home death, palliative care use, patient- and family-reported qualities of care, and health care professionals' difficulties. Not all participants however obtained positive outcomes and thus exploring the reasons why expected outcomes were observed in individual levels could be of value.

Aims: The primary aims were to explore why expected outcomes were not obtained in individual participants, and the perceived changes in daily practices of physicians and nurses were explored.

A 2-week prognostic prediction model for terminal cancer patients in a palliative care unit at a Japanese general hospital.

Objective: We aimed to develop a prognostic prediction model for 2-week survival among patients with terminal cancer in a palliative care unit (PCU).

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on terminal cancer patients in the PCU for 11 months at a general hospital in Tokyo, Japan. We collected data regarding demographics, treatment history, performance status, symptoms, and laboratory results.

[Radiation therapy in palliative care of cancer patients].

Since westernization of cancer profile and our aging society, the number of radiation therapy is increasing in this country. When compared to surgical operation and chemotherapy, the patient's adverse effects by radiation therapy are relatively limited. This is the reason why this treatment modality is used most frequently as a palliation of terminal-stage cancer patients.

Relation between acute and late irradiation impairment of four basic tastes and irradiated tongue volume in patients with head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: Taste loss is a major cause of morbidity in patients undergoing head-and-neck irradiation. The relationship between the time course and the degree of taste disorder was studied in both acute and late phases.

Methods And Materials: Taste ability was measured by the taste threshold for the four basic tastes using a filter paper disc method in patients before, during, and after radiotherapy.

Small bowel perforation without tumor recurrence after radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma: report of seven cases.

Aim: We describe the clinical presentation, evaluation, management and outcome of patients experiencing small bowel perforation following radiation therapy for cervical cancer.

Methods And Materials: A database consisting of 95 Japanese women with stage 0-4 A cervix cancer treated between 1991 and 2004 contained seven patients (7.4%) with small bowel perforation.