Assessing the need for multimodal care in anorexia and cachexia patients with advanced cancer referred to palliative care: a secondary analysis of a multicenter survey in Japan.

Purpose: There are no methods for assessing the need for multimodal care in cancer cachexia. We examined nine components in evaluating needs among advanced cancer patients.

Methods: This was a self-administered survey.

Interpretation of clinically meaningful change in cancer palliative care patients' quality of life: minimally important difference for EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL.

Background: Palliative care for cancer helps improve and maintain patients' quality of life (QOL). Clinically meaningful changes in QOL measures are helpful when considering how a patient would want to spend the final days of their life. This study aimed to estimate the minimally important differences (MIDs) for within-person change for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) domains in advanced cancer patients in palliative care.

Opioid conversion in adults with cancer: MASCC-ASCO-AAHPM-HPNA-NICSO guideline.

Purpose: To standardize and improve the safety and efficacy of opioid conversion in people with cancer.

Methods: The Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), and Network Italiano Cure di Supporto in Oncologia (NICSO) convened an Expert Panel to develop recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and a formal consensus process. The systematic review focused on randomized and non-randomized studies published from database inception to June 2022.

Association of Systemic Inflammation with Dietary Intake, Nutrition Impact Symptoms, and Eating-Related Distress Among Patients with Advanced Cancer.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are correlated with patient outcomes in cancer. This study aimed to determine associations between the CRP level and the dietary intake, symptoms, and eating-related distress (ERD).

Methods: We conducted a multicenter survey among advanced cancer patients.

Availability of, Barriers to Performing, and Educational Practices of Interventional Procedures for Refractory Pain in Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Survey of Designated Cancer Hospitals in Japan.

Background: Because of the limitations of pharmacological therapy, nonpharmacological therapies including intervention procedures are also important for quality of cancer pain management.

Objective: To clarify the availability of, number performed, barriers to performing, and educational practices of four interventional procedures (celiac plexus neurolysis/splanchnic nerve neurolysis, phenol saddle block, epidural analgesia, and intrathecal analgesia) in designated cancer hospitals.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Nurse-Led Screening-Triggered Early Specialized Palliative Care Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We aimed to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led, screening-triggered early specialized palliative care intervention program for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Methods: Patients with advanced lung cancer who underwent initial chemotherapy were randomized to intervention and usual care groups between January 2017 and September 2019. The intervention comprised comprehensive needs assessments, counseling, and service coordination by advanced-level nurses.

Factors Associated with Multimodal Care Practices for Cancer Cachexia among Pharmacists.

Pharmacists' roles in cachexia care are unclear. This study aimed to clarify the knowledge and practice of cachexia care and identify factors related to the practice of cachexia care among pharmacists. Information on the knowledge and practice of cachexia care was obtained.

Prognostic Impact of Malignant Wounds in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Malignant wounds are lesions caused by metastasis from distant primary cancers or by direct invasion of the cutaneous structures of a primary cancer, and are most common in patients with breast or head and neck cancers. Malignant wounds not only cause physical symptoms, but also affect survival. Recognizing prognosis in terminal-stage cancer patients is necessary for both patients and health care providers.

Myofascial pain syndrome in patients with cancer: a narrative review.

Purpose: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome. The purpose of this review is to describe the epidemiological and treatment evidence and to address the future research agenda in patients with cancer.

Methods: A narrative review of previous reports investigating the prevalence and treatment of MPS in the oncology field is presented.

Opioid analgesic dose and route conversion ratio studies: a scoping review to inform an eDelphi guideline.

Background: Clinicians regularly prescribe opioids to manage acute and chronic cancer pain, frequently to address acute postoperative pain, and occasionally to manage chronic non-cancer pain. Clinical efficacy may be suboptimal in some patients due to side effects and/or poor response, and opioid rotation/switching (conversions) is frequently necessary. Despite the widespread practice, opioid conversion ratios are inconsistent between clinicians, practices, and countries.

The safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer in real-world palliative care settings: a multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for treating opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced cancer, who are receiving palliative care, and particularly explored its early effects.

Methods: Palliative care teams and inpatient palliative care units across 14 institutions in Japan were included in this multicenter, prospective, observational study. Patients who were newly prescribed a daily oral dose of 0.

Investigating the efficacy and safety of olanzapine prophylaxis for opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (JORTC-PAL20): a study protocol for an open-label, single-arm exploratory study.

Introduction: In opioid therapy for cancer pain, opioid-induced nausea and vomiting (OINV) occur in 20%-40% of patients during initial opioid treatment or increasing opioid doses. OINV result in failure to achieve pain relief due to poor opioid adherence. Therefore, antiemetics are used to prevent OINV, but their efficacy and safety in this context have not yet been fully elucidated.

Comparison of Pharmacological Treatments for Agitated Delirium in the Last Days of Life.

Context: Antipsychotics are often used in managing symptoms of terminal delirium, but evidence is limited.

Objectives: To explore the comparative effectiveness of haloperidol with as-needed benzodiazepines (HPD) vs. chlorpromazine (CPZ) vs.