Sarcopenia supersedes subjective global assessment as a predictor of survival in colorectal cancer.

Background: Sarcopenia, the presence of skeletal muscle mass depletion, can be objectively quantified, whereas subjective global assessment (SGA) is a widely utilized subjective instrument to assess nutritional status. Both the presence of sarcopenia and SGA-assessed malnutrition, in isolation, have been shown to be associated with worse overall survival in a wide range of cancers. However, there is no research evaluating the independent prognostic significance of both the presence of sarcopenia and malnutrition as part of the same analysis.

Incidence of and factors associated with catheter-related bloodstream infection in patients with advanced solid tumors on home parenteral nutrition managed using a standardized catheter care protocol.

Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality as well as increased medical costs. Cancer patients, who are often immunocompromised, are susceptible to CRBSI while receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). We evaluated the incidence of and factors associated with CRBSIs in cancer patients undergoing HPN managed using a standardized catheter care protocol.

Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine as Indicators of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in Cancer.

Background/aims: Normal or high serum vitamin B-12 levels can sometimes be seen in a B-12 deficient state, and can therefore be misleading. High levels of Methymalonic Acid (MMA) and Homocysteine (HC) have been identified as better indicators of B-12 deficiency than the actual serum B-12 level itself. We evaluated the prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency using appropriate cut-off levels of vitamin B-12, MMA and HC, and determined the relationship between serum levels of vitamin B-12, MMA and HC in cancer.

The relationship between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in newly diagnosed advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the major circulating form of vitamin D used for evaluating the vitamin D status of patients, has been associated with survival in a variety of cancers with conflicting evidence. We aimed to investigate this association in newly diagnosed advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods: This was a consecutive cohort of 359 newly diagnosed stages III-IV NSCLC patients who underwent a baseline serum 25(OH)D evaluation prior to receiving any treatment at our institution between January 2008 and December 2010.

The association between pre-treatment serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer.

Background/aims: Emerging evidence in the literature suggests a positive association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a standard indicator of vitamin D status, and survival in certain types of cancer. We investigated this relationship in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients.

Methods: A consecutive cohort of 125 newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients underwent a baseline serum 25(OH)D evaluation prior to receiving any treatment at our institution between January 2008 and December 2011.

A longitudinal study investigating quality of life and nutritional outcomes in advanced cancer patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Background: In cancer patients where gastrointestinal function is marginal and malnutrition significant enough to result in the requirement for intensive nutrition support, parenteral nutrition (PN) is indicated. This longitudinal study examined the quality of life (QoL) and nutritional outcomes in advanced cancer patients receiving home PN (HPN).

Methods: Fifty-two adult cancer patients (21 males, 31 females, average age 53 years) treated at a specialized cancer facility between April 2009 and November 2011 met criteria.

Value of an intraoperative real time tissue perfusion assessment system following a nipple-sparing radical mastectomy for advanced breast cancer.

Introduction: Standard surgical approach for advanced breast cancer is a modified radical mastectomy with a periareolar elliptical incision. Here a unique surgical approach is presented utilizing intraoperative real time tissue perfusion technology.

Presentation Of Case: A 65-year old African American female was diagnosed with grade 3 papillary carcinoma on biopsy of a palpable 3.

The relationship between baseline nutritional status with subsequent parenteral nutrition and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Background: The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a promising treatment option for selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This retrospective study investigated the relationship between baseline nutritional assessment with subsequent parenteral nutritional (PN) and clinical outcomes in cancer patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC.

Methods: A consecutive series of 60 patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC at our institution between January 2009 and May 2011.

Effect of naturopathic and nutritional supplement treatment on tumor response, control, and recurrence in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy.

Objectives: Use of naturopathic and nutritional supplements (NNS) with antioxidant activity is controversial in patients receiving radiation therapy. The effects of concomitant use of NNS with antioxidant activity during radiation therapy for prostate cancer were investigated in terms of clinical tumor responsiveness, kinetics, and durability.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective investigation was done of 134 patients treated with curative intent for limited-stage prostate cancer by radiation therapy.

Beliefs and perceptions of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who refused conventional treatment in favor of alternative therapies.

Purpose: Although breast cancer is a highly treatable disease, some women reject conventional treatment opting for unproven "alternative therapy" that may contribute to poor health outcomes. This study sought to understand why some women make this decision and to identify messages that might lead to greater acceptance of evidence-based treatment.

Patients And Methods: This study explored treatment decision making through in-depth interviews with 60 breast cancer patients identified by their treating oncologists.

The prognostic role of quality of life assessment in breast cancer.

While the use of quality of life (QoL) assessments has been increasing in oncology, few studies have examined the prognostic significance of QoL in breast cancer. We investigated the association between QoL at presentation and survival in breast cancer. We examined 1,511 breast cancer patients treated at two single-system cancer centers between January 2001 and December 2008.

Can changes in health related quality of life scores predict survival in stages III and IV colorectal cancer?

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the predictive significance on survival of baseline quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer (CRC) with little information on the impact of changes in QoL scores on prognosis in CRC. We investigated whether changes in QoL during treatment could predict survival in CRC.

Methods: We evaluated 396 stages III-IV CRC patients available for a minimum follow-up of 3 months.

Bioelectrical impedance phase angle in clinical practice: implications for prognosis in stage IIIB and IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: A frequent manifestation of advanced lung cancer is malnutrition, timely identification and treatment of which can lead to improved patient outcomes. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy-to-use and non-invasive technique to evaluate changes in body composition and nutritional status. We investigated the prognostic role of BIA-derived phase angle in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Can subjective global assessment of nutritional status predict survival in ovarian cancer?

Background: Malnutrition is a significant problem in patients with ovarian cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in patients with ovarian cancer treated in an integrative cancer treatment setting.

Methods: We evaluated a case series of 132 ovarian cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America(R) from Jan 2001 to May 2006.

The European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire: implications for prognosis in pancreatic cancer.

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between patient quality of life (QoL) and survival in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing care in a community hospital comprehensive cancer center.

Patients And Methods: A consecutive case series of 55 histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® at Midwestern Regional Medical Center was studied between 04/01 and 11/04. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was utilized to assess patient QoL.

Patient satisfaction with quality of life as a predictor of survival in pancreatic cancer.

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between patient satisfaction with quality of life (QoL) and survival in pancreatic cancer patients undergoing care in a community hospital comprehensive cancer center.

Patients And Methods: A consecutive case series of 55 cases of histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center was studied between 04/01 and 11/04. The Quality of Life Index (QLI) was utilized to assess patient satisfaction with QoL.

Self-reported quality of life in users and nonusers of dietary supplements in cancer.

Goals Of Work: To describe the Quality of Life (QoL) characteristics of users of dietary supplements vs nonusers.

Patients And Methods: A survey of 225 cancer patients presenting for treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America was completed between November 2001 and October 2003. A validated instrument assessed the use of 56 dietary supplements in the past month.

The use of dietary supplements in a community hospital comprehensive cancer center: implications for conventional cancer care.

Goals Of Work: There is little data on the prevalence of use of dietary supplements in cancer, especially in light of the growing evidence that some dietary supplements can have adverse interactions with conventional cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of dietary supplements among adult cancer patients in a community hospital comprehensive cancer center.

Patients And Methods: A survey of 227 new adult cancer patients presenting for treatment for the first time at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center, between November 2001 and October 2003.