Social factors affecting home-based end-of-life care for patients with cancer and primary caregivers.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the social factors of patients and caregivers, including those related to their wishes for home-based end-of-life care that influence its fulfillment.

Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using the dataset (home-based end-of-life care N = 625, hospital end-of-life care N = 7603) Comprehensive patient-based survey conducted by The Study on Quality Evaluation of Hospice and Palliative Care by Bereaved Caregivers (J-HOPE 4) and multivariate analysis (multiple logistic regression) to explore the impact of social factors of patients and caregivers on the fulfillment of home-based end-of-life care. The explanatory variables included 11 social factors of patients, such as age and sex, and 18 social factors of primary caregivers.

[Advance Care Planning(ACP)from the Perspective of Homecare Physician].

In Japan, the practice of advance care planning(ACP)for cancer patients may differ from Western countries due to cultural differences and the significant role of family in decision-making. Healthcare providers must consider the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of care when engaging in ACP, respecting patient autonomy and individual values. Effective communication skills and an understanding of behavioral economics are essential for navigating these discussions, particularly in the home care setting where family caregivers face unique challenges.

Effect of paracentesis on the survival of patients with terminal cancer and ascites: a propensity score-weighted analysis of the East Asian Collaborative Cross-cultural Study to Elucidate the Dying Process.

Purpose: Paracentesis is among the most widely utilized treatments for malignant ascites (MA). However, paracentesis in patients with MA has the potential to be associated with life-shortening effects. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether paracentesis affected the duration of survival in such patients.

The Usefulness of the Armchair Sign for the Diagnosis of Psychosomatic-Prone Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Patients with Incurable Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Multicenter Observational Clinical Study.

Because psychosomatic diseases are pathological conditions, it is difficult to identify their degrees. The armchair sign is a test used to assess voluntary muscle relaxation. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the armchair sign for the diagnosis of psychosomatic-prone myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) in patients with incurable cancer.

Risk factors of sudden unexpected death in patients with advanced cancer near the end of life.

Background: The definition of sudden unexpected death (SUD) in patients with advanced cancer near the end of life (EOL) was unclear.

Methods: This study was conducted as a single-center retrospective analysis. We analyzed 1,282 patients who died of advanced cancer from August 2011 to August 2019 retrospectively.

Effects of molecular targeting agents and immune-checkpoint inhibitors in patients with advanced cancer who are near the end of life.

Background: In recent years, the use of both molecular targeting agents (MTAs) and immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) tend to occupy important positions in systemic anticancer therapy (SACT). The objective of this study is to describe the predictors of SACT include both MTAs and ICIs near the end of life (EOL) and the effect on EOL care in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: We analyzed all patients who died of advanced cancer from August 2016 to August 2019, and we analyzed the survival time of patients who underwent anticancer agents excluded due to the loss of information about the last administration of SACT.

The Functional Palliative Prognostic Index: a scoring system for functional prognostication of patients with advanced cancer.

Purpose: For appropriate advance care planning, functional prognostication is necessary. However, there are no studies of functional prognostication in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a functional prognostic scoring system for patients with advanced cancer.

A combination of routine laboratory findings and vital signs can predict survival of advanced cancer patients without physician evaluation: a fractional polynomial model.

Introduction: There have been no reports about predicting survival of patients with advanced cancer constructed entirely with objective variables. We aimed to develop a prognostic model based on laboratory findings and vital signs using a fractional polynomial (FP) model.

Methods: A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted at 58 specialist palliative care services in Japan from September 2012 to April 2014.

Prognostic factors in patients who received end-of-life chemotherapy for advanced cancer.

Background: Clinical efficacy of aggressive end-of-life (EOL) chemotherapy remains unclear.

Method: Medical records of patients with advanced cancer between August 2011 and August 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was to identify prognostic factors at the last administration of chemotherapy.

Efficacy of palliative radiotherapy and chemo-radiotherapy for unresectable gastric cancer demonstrating bleeding and obstruction.

Background: Bleeding and obstruction are common localized symptoms in patients with unresectable gastric cancer. Although there are several reports about surgical and endoscopic therapies for gastric cancer, there are few regarding palliative radiation therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for 23 gastric cancer patients who underwent palliative radiation between April 2006 and March 2014, with either localized bleeding (n = 18) or upper gastric obstruction (n = 10).

A retrospective analysis of 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in the recent treatment strategy for patients with metastatic or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Patients with metastatic or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have a poor prognosis. For decades, the most widely used first-line chemotherapy regimen for these patients has been the combination of 5-fluorouracil + cisplatin (CF). However, prognostic factors of CF as first-line chemotherapy for ESCC have not been clarified.

Development and validation of a set of six adaptable prognosis prediction (SAP) models based on time-series real-world big data analysis for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: A multicenter case crossover study.

Background: We aimed to develop an adaptable prognosis prediction model that could be applied at any time point during the treatment course for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy, by applying time-series real-world big data.

Methods: Between April 2004 and September 2014, 4,997 patients with cancer who had received systemic chemotherapy were registered in a prospective cohort database at the Kyoto University Hospital. Of these, 2,693 patients with a death record were eligible for inclusion and divided into training (n = 1,341) and test (n = 1,352) cohorts.

Predictors of Delirium in Corticosteroid-Treated Patients with Advanced Cancer: An Exploratory, Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study.

Background: Corticosteroids are often used to treat fatigue and anorexia, but occasionally produce delirium. Information on the predictors of delirium in corticosteroid-treated cancer patients remains limited.

Objective: To identify potential factors predicting the development of delirium in corticosteroid-treated cancer patients.

Predictors of response to corticosteroids for dyspnea in advanced cancer patients: a preliminary multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: Although corticosteroids can relieve dyspnea in advanced cancer patients, factors predicting the response remain unknown. We aimed to explore potential factors predicting the response to corticosteroids for dyspnea in advanced cancer patients.

Methods: In this preliminary multicenter prospective observational study, we included patients who had metastatic or locally advanced cancer, were receiving specialized palliative care services, and had a dyspnea intensity of ≥3 on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) (worst during the last 24 h).

Predictors of responses to corticosteroids for anorexia in advanced cancer patients: a multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: Although corticosteroids are widely used to relieve anorexia, information regarding the factors predicting responses to corticosteroids remains limited. The purpose of the study is to identify potential factors predicting responses to corticosteroids for anorexia in advanced cancer patients.

Methods: Inclusion criteria for this multicenter prospective observational study were patients who had metastatic or locally advanced cancer and had an anorexia intensity score of 4 or more on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

Adding items that assess changes in activities of daily living does not improve the predictive accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Index.

Background: Changes in activities of daily living in cancer patients may predict their survival. The Palliative Prognostic Index is a useful tool to evaluate cancer patients, and adding an item about activities of daily living changes might improve its predictive value.

Aim: To clarify whether adding an item about activities of daily living changes improves the accuracy of Palliative Prognostic Index.

Predictors of Responses to Corticosteroids for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Advanced Cancer Patients: A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study.

Context: Although corticosteroids are widely used to relieve cancer-related fatigue (CRF), information regarding the factors predicting responses to corticosteroids remains limited.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify potential factors predicting responses to corticosteroids for CRF in advanced cancer patients.

Methods: Inclusion criteria for this multicenter, prospective, observational study were patients who had metastatic or locally advanced cancer and had a fatigue intensity score of 4 or more on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS).

Survival prediction for advanced cancer patients in the real world: A comparison of the Palliative Prognostic Score, Delirium-Palliative Prognostic Score, Palliative Prognostic Index and modified Prognosis in Palliative Care Study predictor model.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of the Palliative Prognostic Score (PaP score), Delirium-Palliative Prognostic Score (D-PaP score), Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) and modified Prognosis in Palliative Care Study predictor model (PiPS model).

Patients And Methods: This multicentre prospective cohort study involved 58 palliative care services, including 19 hospital palliative care teams, 16 palliative care units and 23 home palliative care services, in Japan from September 2012 to April 2014. Analyses were performed involving four patient groups: those treated by palliative care teams, those in palliative care units, those at home and those receiving chemotherapy.

Hematogenous umbilical metastasis from colon cancer treated by palliative single-incision laparoscopic surgery.

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN) is a rare umbilical nodule that develops secondary to metastatic cancer. Primary malignancies are located in the abdomen or pelvis. Patients with SMJN have a poor prognosis.

[A case of endocrine carcinoma of the cecum treated with CDDP/VP-16].

A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of multiple liver tumors. Colonoscopy showed a mass lesion in the cecum. He was given a diagnosis of endocrine cell carcinoma by immunostaining technique, and received chemotherapy of CAPOX regimen for 3 courses.