Rhabdomyosarcoma: an overview and nursing considerations.

This article aims to provide nurses with a clinical overview of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. The causes, clinical features, pathophysiology, diagnostic process, prognosis and treatment will be explored. Some of the main nursing considerations for rhabdomyosarcoma patients will be discussed in light of current treatment recommendations.

Congenital Infantile Fibrosarcoma in the Premature Infant.

BACKGROUND: Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma (CIF) is rare and represents less than 1% of all childhood cancers. It is a tumor that originates in the connective fibrous tissue found at the ends of long bones and then spreads to other surrounding soft tissues. These lesions are typically large, grow rapidly, and can often be mistaken for teratomas. Diagnosis is confirmed by pathology, where cellular proliferation of fibroblasts occurs. Imaging is an important part of the diagnosis, which includes the use of magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography scan. Although surgical resection is the primary treatment, chemotherapeutic agents may be used as adjuvant therapy. PURPOSE: To describe modalities for accurate diagnosis and treatment of CIF. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed was searched using terms "congenital infantile fibrosarcoma" and "infantile fibrosarcoma." Eleven relevant, English language articles were identified and utilized in the preparation of this case presentation. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Complications addressed in this case presentation are prenatal diagnostic challenges, pharmacologic interventions in the setting of prematurity, immunosuppression, and acute liver and renal failure. Pharmacologic treatments will include chemotherapy agents, antimicrobial agents, as well as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for immunosuppression. Nursing challenges included positioning and integumentary disturbances. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Utilization of diagnostic imaging and pathology to accurately identify and diagnose CIF is essential. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Safety and efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in premature infants with CIF need to be established.

[Negative pressure therapy in the loss of perineal substance]. / La thérapie par pression négative dans les pertes de substance périnéale.

Over the last ten years, negative pressure therapy has played a major role in the treatment of complex perineum wounds resulting from infection, trauma or cancer.The use of instillation has enabled its use to be extended to certain particularly difficult situations. It is also used routinely in support of dressing techniques for less complex wounds.

A collaborative approach to isolated limb perfusion.

Isolated limb perfusion is used to treat unresectable sarcoma, melanoma, and other select tumors. It is performed in the OR and requires collaboration by surgeons, perioperative nurses, anesthesia care providers, pharmacists, perfusion technologists, and nuclear medicine personnel. The procedure involves complete isolation of the vascular supply to a limb before an infusion of high dose chemotherapeutic medications.

Gender issues in patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcoma: a pilot study.

Soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) affects men and women with equal frequency and commonly presents as an asymptomatic mass in patients 40 to 50 years of age. Recent study has identified physical, emotional, and psychological factors associated with a diagnosis of malignancy, but the tissues affecting the STS patient population may differ from those of more common cancers due to physical disability secondary to treatment. Research to date has not dealt specifically with gender differences in the reaction and adaptation to the cancer diagnosis. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the treatment experiences of five males and five females treated with surgery and radiation for STS of the thigh and followed posttreatment for at least 2 years. The open-ended interview was used to collect data, which was then subjected to a constant comparative analysis technique. The STS patients shared many concerns of cancer patients, with additional physical complaints. Physical symptoms were common to men and women, but women adapted more easily with explanation. Women feared losing life, family role, and relationships. Along with men, they also feared the losses of limb and career. For women, support included faith and sharing stories with others, whereas men preferred to deal with their illnesses individually and concealed emotions from loved ones. The perception of disease time frame was also distinct, with men adopting a fatalistic attitude and regarding their disease as an isolated episode. Women believed their condition was ongoing. Women need repeated information from several sources along with reassurance and increased social support, whereas men prefer the minimum of social support, requiring instead independence and extra attention to physical limitations. These results can improve STS patient treatment by increasing awareness in the patient, family, and medical team of the psychosocial issues that can be expected to arise.

Sarcomas de tejido oseo y de tejido blando / Bone and soft tissue sarcomas

El presente trabajo es una revision de los pacientes con tumores Oseos y Tumores de partes Blandas atendidas en el Hospital Oncologico de Santa Cruz en el periodo 1986-1993 con 62 casos. No se incluyen los pacientes revisados en la consulta externa, solo aquellos pacientes internados.

The nursing role in limb salvage surgery.

Limb salvage surgery has proven itself as a valuable option for sarcoma patients. The reconstruction options are vast and include metallic implants, allografts, and a combination of both. The nursing implications for these patients are unlimited. The patient needs to be educated and assessed closely for complications such as infections, nonunion of the allograft, and limited mobility. Although the nursing care is more complicated, the rewards with working with these patients are great.