PURPOSE Although numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), results of some recent trials and one meta-analysis have suggested that ESAs may negatively impact survival and/or disease control in patients with cancer. METHODS To assess the benefits and risks of ESAs in C...

Moebus et al. (1) reported that erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) can treat chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with no effect on overall survival, relapse-free survival, or intramammary relapse. They also conclude that epoetin increased thrombosis. Their treatment protocol did not include adequate iron replacement. Although iron st...

Background: Many symptom assessment tools have been developed to aid evaluation of patient’s symptoms. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale is one such tool. The ESAS was introduced on the inpatient unit in Milford Hospice (a 30 bedded tertiary palliative care unit) in December 2007. However, a 3-month chart review revealed a low completion rate (20%) of the ESAS. Aim: The aim of this study wa...

F or the second time in 3 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reviewing the safety of a class of widely used anemia drugs. Earlier this year, the agency added the highest level of warning , a so-called black box, to the label of all three erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). At the request of the agency, the Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) met last week to evaluate the...

Anemia is a frequent complication in the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. However, data on serum hepcidin level as a guide in MHD patients are limited. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum hepcidin level on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and/or intravenous iron therapy among MHD patients. A total of 32 MHD patients receiving ESAs and iron therapy were enr...

OBJECTIVE Evaluation of the presence of symptoms and suitability in the treatment of patients admitted to medical wards at HU-UFSC. Identification of patients eligible for palliative care (PC). METHOD A prospective cohort study, which evaluated patients in the first 48 hours of hospitalization (D1) and after 48 hours (D2). On D1, palliative performance and symptom assessment scales were appli...

Cancer and its treatments—including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy—are associated with decreased physical function and adverse psychological and emotional effects. Physical symptoms commonly include fatigue, nausea, pain, and decreased strength and endurance1–4. The importance of appreciating the consequences of cancer-related side effects is magnified as the number of pe...

Over the past few decades, understanding of the physiologic function of erythropoietin (EPO) has evolved significantly. EPO binds to erythropoietin receptors (EPOR), initiating signaling that stimulates growth, inhibits apoptosis, and induces the differentiation of erythroid progenitors to increase red blood cell mass. EPO has additionally been shown to exert tissue-protective effects on multip...

BACKGROUND The issue of how to address patient pain in the outpatient setting remains challenging. At the London Regional Cancer Program (London, Ontario), patients complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) before most visits. OBJECTIVES To perform a chart review assessing the frequency and, if applicable, the type of a clinical care plan that was developed if a patient indicated...