Effects of Oral Cryotherapy on Anticipatory, and Acute Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of oral cryotherapy (OC) on the anticipatory, and acute nausea and vomiting of patients with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy eligible patients with breast cancer were assigned to 2 groups by stratified randomization. This parallel grouped, randomized, clinical trial used the ice application protocol. OC application for an intervention group (IG, n = 35) was performed in 3 stages: i) instructions on by the investigator at the hospital; ii) the implementation accompanied by the investigator at the hospital; iii) the individual application of at home by patients. The IG had been doing the application for 12 weeks. The patients in the control group (CG, n = 35) received standard care. Additionally, Rhodes Index of Nausea Vomiting, and Retching, and EORTC QLQ-C30 Life Quality Index were conducted on the first (T1 = cycle 1 day 0), second (T2 = cycle 2 day 21), third (T3 = cycle 3 day 42), and fourth (T4 = cycle 4 day 63) cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: The anticipatory nausea scores in the T2 and T4, IG were significantly lower than the CG (P < .05). In the T3, all symptom sub-dimensions except symptom occurrence (t = -0,48; P = .63) of the IG were significantly lower than those of the CG (P < .05). In the T1, T2, T3, and T4, acute nausea, acute vomiting, acute retching, and anticipatory retching scores, were significantly lower than the CG (P < .05). CONCLUSION: OC alone was effective and safe for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. The results of this study showed the clinical applicability of OC in the management of nausea and vomiting.

Experiences and Perceptions of Patients with Oxaliplatin-Induced Cold Sensitivity in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore and describe the impact on patients with oxaliplatin-induced cold sensitivity in the early stages. DATA SOURCES: An inductive design was used for this qualitative study, which included open-ended, and in-depth interviews with 18 cancer patients. Throughout the study, the authors followed the COREQ checklist. The interviews were audiorecorded and listened to multiple times. Observation notes were also recorded following each interview. Thematic analysis developed six main themes and 13 subthemes. The first theme concerns changing habits, including changes in fluid intake and clothing choice, changes in bathing and eating habits, and changes in caregiver roles. The second theme includes changes in daily routine behaviors that are perceived as difficulties with changing routines. The third theme is avoiding triggers; the fourth theme is anxiety about self-care. The fifth theme includes a subtheme of difficulty in contact. The final theme includes adaptation to life, caring responsibilities, changes in sexual functions, the performance of religious activities, and social activities IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study provides an overview of the lived experiences of oxaliplatin-induced cold sensitivity among cancer patients. Patients faced fewer adverse events by avoiding initiators from the first treatment. They changed their eating and drinking habits owing to difficulties. The findings of this study can be used to better understand oxaliplatin-induced cold sensitivity, identify patients needs based on their experience, and develop interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Determination of the Influence of Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study with Four Follow-Ups.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the impact of peripheral neuropathy symptoms throughout with monthly follow-ups during 4 months of paclitaxel treatment. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 79 patients. The study population consisted of female patients with breast cancer between August 2018 and January 2019. ''Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool'' and ''EORTC C30 Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire'' were applied with four follow-ups. The study was undertaken in accordance with the STROBE checklist for cross- sectional studies. RESULTS: The Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool except for the general activity subdimension were statistically significant in the ratings of second, compared to first; third compared to first and second; fourth compared to first, second, and third follow-up periods. The overall mean of the EORTC C30 Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, functioning, symptom, and global health status were statistically significant in the evaluations of second, compared with first; third compared with first and second; fourth compared with first, second, and third follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study suggest that the increase in neuropathy symptoms during cures negatively affects the quality of life.

Evaluation of Cancer Patients with Older Adult for Awareness and Hospital Arrival Process of COVID-19 Pandemic During: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The study aimed to evaluate the Coronavirus pandemic awareness of cancer patients ≥65 years of age, considered a vulnerable group, and their hospital arrival process, follow-ups and treatments during the pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic was found to increases the mortality and morbidity rates of individuals who aged 65 years and older. The research was conducted with a cross-sectional descriptive correlational design. The sample consist of 77 cancer patients aged 65 years and older adult. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. In total, 77 patients from the Oncology Hospital located in Ankara from April 29, 2020 to May 20, 2020. Data were collected using a two-part form and a questionnaire. The study was undertaken in accordance with the STROBE checklist for observational studies. Of the participants, 59.7% were female, the mean age was 70 years, 79.2% resided in Ankara and 98.7% traveled to the hospital by car. Looking at the gender and the protective measures taken at home, female participants were found to perform a statistically significant higher level of protective measures. In conclusion, the study results suggest that the restrictions for older adult oncology patients during the pandemic did not negatively affect the delivery of health care.

KRAS discordance between primary and metastatic tumor in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Adding targeted therapies to chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) improves response rates and survival. KRAS is a predictive indicator for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) treatments. The most important reasons for KRAS discordance are intratumoral heterogeneity and incorrect mutation analysis. Evaluating the status of KRAS in primary and metastatic lesions becomes even more crucial to ensure efficient usage of anti-EGFR treatments. METHODS: Patients with metastatic CRC, whose primary disease and liver and/or lung metastases were operated, were retrospectively evaluated, and KRAS assessment was performed on 31 patients who were suitable for DNA analysis. Pyrosequencing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for KRAS analysis. RESULTS: The median age of 31 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer (N=13) and colon cancer (N=18) was 63 years (range 33-73). Metastasectomy locations included the liver (N=27), lung (N=3), and both lung and liver (N=1). KRAS discordance was detected in 22% (7/31) of the patients. While 3 patients with detected discordance had mutated KRAS in the primary material, wild type KRAS was detected in their liver or lung lesions. On the other hand, while 4 patients had wild type KRAS in the primary material, mutated KRAS was determined in their liver or lung lesions. The McNemar test revealed no significant discordance between primary and metastatic disease (p=1.00). No progression free survival (PFS) difference was detected between patients with determined discordance and patients with undetermined discordance (10.6 vs 14.7 months, p=0.719). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate KRAS discordance between primary and metastasis in CRC patients, who underwent metastasectomy, together with survival data. In the literature and recent studies with large patient numbers in which modern KRAS tests were used, the KRAS discordance rate varies between 3-12%. In our study, a higher KRAS discordance (22%) was detected, and no survival difference was determined between patients with or without discordance. In recent years, the rising interest in borderline resectable disease may bring forward discussions related to which material the KRAS status should be analyzed.