Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019079 (hemoptysis)
 6,129 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Two policies of palliative thoracic radiotherapy for NSCLC have been compared in a randomised multicentre controlled trial aimed at simplifying the palliative treatment of patients with poor performance status. A total of 235 patients were entered. They had inoperable, microscopically confirmed disease, too advanced for 'curative' radiotherapy. Their main symptoms were related to the primary intrathoracic tumour even if metastases were present, and they had a poor performance status. Patients were allocated at random to regimens of either 17 Gy given in two fractions of 8.5 Gy 1 week apart (F2 regimen, 117 patients), or a single fraction of 10 Gy (F1 regimen, 118 patients). Two patients (one in each group) were excluded from all analyses because they were found to have had previously treated malignant disease and had been admitted in error. On admission, 95% of the 233 eligible patients had cough, 47% haemoptysis, 59% chest pain, 64% anorexia, and 16% dysphagia. As assessed by the clinicians, these symptoms were palliated in high proportions of patients, ranging in the F2 group from 48% for cough to 75% for haemoptysis, and in the F1 group from 55% for anorexia to 72% for haemoptysis and chest pain. For all five symptoms the median duration of palliation was 50% or more of survival. All these results were similar in the two treatment groups. In contrast, on daily assessment by the patients using a diary card, those treated with the F2 regimen experienced substantially more dysphagia, which was recorded in 56% of the patients compared with 23% in the F1 group (difference 33%: 95% confidence interval 17-48%). The median survival from randomisation was 100 days in the F2 group and 122 days in the F1 group. The F1 regimen, as it requires only a single attendance for treatment, is recommended as a palliative regimen for patients with inoperable NSCLC and a poor performance status.
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PMID:A Medical Research Council (MRC) randomised trial of palliative radiotherapy with two fractions or a single fraction in patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and poor performance status. Medical Research Council Lung Cancer Working Party. 137 84

We have reviewed the role of radiation therapy in the palliative treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The use of radiation treatment results in effective palliation of chest symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, and chest pain. In addition, the pain and suffering associated with skeletal and hepatic metastases are effectively alleviated by radiation therapy with minimal morbidity. Devastating neurologic complications can be avoided or alleviated in a great proportion of patients undergoing radiation therapy for cerebral metastases and spinal cord compression. Therefore, radiation therapy is a potent modality in relieving or reducing the suffering of patients with lung cancer. This is also a modality that has wide applicability; very few patients are not suitable candidates for that has wide applicability; very few patients are not suitable candidates for treatment regardless of their performance status. The aim of the treatments should always be prompt intervention using radiation therapy schedules that will minimize treatment time yet produce the desired results in a high proportion of patients. Protracted radiation schedules are not warranted in such patients except in special clinical situations. Palliation with radiation therapy is achieved quite promptly, with minimal side effects and a very small risk of any long-term consequences in patients who have a limited life expectancy.
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PMID:Palliative radiotherapy. 170 80

Computed tomographic (CT) and chest radiographic findings were retrospectively correlated with those found at fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in 58 patients presenting with hemoptysis. Abnormalities involving the airways were depicted by CT in a total of 28 cases (48%). In 18 of these (31% of the total group of 58), focal abnormalities involving the central airways were identified (17 were subsequently proved to be malignant) and in 10 (17% of the total), CT showed bronchiectasis. Focal airway abnormality was shown by FOB in 18 cases (31%); all of these were depicted with CT. Malignancy was diagnosed in 24 patients, including three in whom results of FOB were normal but malignant cells were identified at transbronchial biopsy. CT abnormalities were identified in all cases of malignancy. In 10 of 21 cases (48%) of non-small cell lung cancer, CT allowed definitive staging by documenting either direct mediastinal invasion and/or metastatic disease, while FOB allowed definitive staging in only three cases. CT studies provided no false-negative results. It is concluded that when carefully performed, CT may be an effective modality for evaluating patients presenting with hemoptysis.
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PMID:Hemoptysis: CT-bronchoscopic correlations in 58 cases. 221 69

To evaluate the usefulness of chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer, objective response, length of remission and survival have been considered the main yardsticks. Subjective improvement and gain in Karnofsky performance status have attracted very little attention. Thirty-one patients with stages III and IV underwent combination chemotherapy with high-dose cisplatin, and were assessed with categorical scales and 100 mm visual analogue scales used by patients themselves to report on several symptoms of their illness. After chemotherapy 17 of 19 patients (89%) gained weight; 20 presented anorexia, 10 of those (50%) improved; 15 had pain, 7 of those (47%) were alleviated; cough was reported in 22, in 10 (45%) it was ameliorated; hemoptysis disappeared in 10 of 11 patients (91%); of the 9 patients who had dyspnea, 7 improved (78%); and astenia was attenuated in 8 of 16 patients (50%). Quality of life was reported improved in 75% of those patients who had considered themselves seriously affected prior to the treatment. When compared with Karnofsky performance status, no relationship was found (r = 0.31). It is concluded that, apart from the objective response achieved, a significant proportion of patients did benefit from treatment as demonstrated by a marked relief of symptoms.
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PMID:Quality of life during chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients. 216 77

We administered 45 Nd-YAG laser treatments in 29 patients (18 men) aged 39 to 82 years who had lung malignancy; 26 patients had primary non-oat cell lung cancer and three had metastatic airway malignancy. In all, 25 of the patients had been previously treated with combination(s) of surgical procedure, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Indications for laser treatment included endobronchial airway obstruction with uncontrolled cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea or unresolved atelectasis-pneumonia. Of 15 patients with partially occluded tracheobronchial airway tumors, immediate palliative relief was achieved in 13 patients and lasted one to six months after a single treatment. In this group there was one postoperative death related to respiratory failure and two patients subsequently died of massive pulmonary hemorrhage. However, of 14 patients with totally obstructed airways, immediate palliative relief was achieved in only five patients and this lasted three weeks to three months after a single treatment. In this group there were two postoperative deaths related to progressive respiratory failure; in one case it was associated with endobronchial combustion of the fiberoptic bronchoscope. All three patients in both groups who died of respiratory failure were in acute respiratory distress and terminally ill before the procedure. These findings suggest that Nd-YAG laser therapy may be most beneficial in patients with partially rather than totally occluded airways due to lung malignancy.
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PMID:Nd-YAG laser in lung cancer. 620 Oct 11

A policy of palliative intent thoracic irradiation was prospectively evaluated in 38 consecutive patients referred for treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer at a single institution. A target dose of 1700 cGy in two fractions 1 week apart was delivered. Characteristics of the treatment group revealed most (87%; 33/38) to be of good-excellent performance status with minimal weight loss before irradiation. Although three patients (8%) had initial metastatic disease, all had symptoms referable to the thorax with cough (71%), dyspnoea (55%), haemoptysis (39%), and chest wall pain (34%) being dominant. Following treatment, the relative risk of maintaining complete response with regard to each of these symptoms was 0.91, 0.40, 0.92 and 0.78, respectively. Overall 70% of patients maintained complete symptomatic response to time of death or last review. Uncorrected median survival was 35 weeks and was comparable to best international end-results for either palliative intent or curative intent radiation schedules. We conclude that the radiation regimen employed is safe, efficacious and eminently resource conscious. Recognition of patient groups who overwhelmingly derive no benefit from conventional fractionation schedules will streamline access to radiotherapy services of patients suitable for radical treatment.
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PMID:Hypofractionated irradiation for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. 748 63

We present preliminary results of a study undertaken in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer to determine the maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) when administered as a 3-hour intravenous infusion in combination with cisplatin every 3 weeks; to evaluate the nature, frequency, severity, and duration of adverse events associated with this drug combination; and to evaluate the combination's antitumor efficacy. Thus far, we have treated 10 patients with cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and increasing doses of paclitaxel (135, 170, and 200 mg/m2). Among nine evaluable patients, four partial responses have been obtained, disease in three patients progressed after three courses, and no changes were seen in one patient. One patient had two cardiac arrests within 8 days of the onset of therapy, from which he recovered; he died 1 month later of massive hemoptysis. Thrombocytopenia was not seen in these patients, and neutropenia (< 1,000 granulocytes/microL) was seen in only three patients. Infections were seen in these patients and were manageable in all cases. Other toxicities consisted mainly of World Health Organization grades II and III alopecia and nausea and/or vomiting. No grade III nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hypersensitivity, mucositis, or infection was seen in this series after one to three courses of chemotherapy; one patient presented with grade IV cardiotoxicity 6 days after the onset of therapy. So far, the maximum tolerated dose of the cisplatin/paclitaxel combination has not been reached; however, definitive conclusions await the full treatment of additional patients. Moreover, the possibility of cumulative and delayed toxicity must be evaluated after a sufficient duration of follow-up in adequate numbers of patients.
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PMID:Dose-finding study of paclitaxel (Taxol) plus cisplatin in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. 793 62

Gemcitabine is a novel nucleoside analogue with activity in solid tumours. This study assessed the objective response rate to gemcitabine given weekly intravenously at a dose of 1250 mg/m2 for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest (one cycle) in chemonaive patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 161 patients with NSCLC were recruited from 10 sites in nine countries. Most patients had stage IIIb (31.3%) or IV (64.6%) disease, and 93.8% had a performance status of 0 or 1 according to the WHO scale. Of 151 evaluable patients, there were 3 complete responses and 30 partial responses lasting at least 4 weeks for an objective response rate of 21.8% (95% CI 15.5-29.3%). All responses were validated by an extramural Oncology Review Board. The mean duration of response was 8.8 months. The mean survival for all patients (16.1% of patients still alive 26 months after last patient started treatment) was 11.5 months. Improvements were also observed in secondary efficacy parameters such as performance status, weight, analgesic requirement, pain, and other disease-related symptoms including cough, dyspnoea, haemoptysis, anorexia, somnolence and hoarseness. Haematological and non-haematological toxicity was mild given the biological activity of gemcitabine. This study confirms gemcitabine as one of the most active agents in NSCLC with the added benefit of a modest toxicity profile and ease of administration on an out-patient basis. Gemcitabine is a suitable candidate for combination chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC.
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PMID:Activity of gemcitabine in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a multicentre, extended phase II study. 866 35

The treatment of choice for advanced inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is radiation therapy. Palliative radiotherapy schedules vary considerably in different centers, but a 30-Gy dose given in ten fractions over two weeks is a typical standard schedule. Our study was aimed at investigating whether a shorter course of only one 10-Gy fraction allows good palliation in the treatment of inoperable NSCLC patients whose main symptoms are related to an intrathoracic lesion. Patients of both sexes and any age, untreated with radiotherapy, with inoperable and histologically or cytologically proved NSCLC were examined. Seventeen patients, too advanced for radical "curative" radiotherapy and whose main symptoms were related to primary intrathoracic lesions, entered the study even though they had metastases. On admission, 76% (13/17) of patients had cough 76% (13/17) dyspnea, 70.7% (12/17) chest pain and 23.6% (4/17) hemoptysis. They received a single dose of 10 Gy, delivered with an 18-Mv linear accelerator via anteroposteriorly opposing portals without spinal cord shielding. Treatment volume usually included the macroscopically detected lesion identified with a CT simulator. Palliation of symptoms was achieved in high rates of patients: 46% for cough, 69% for dyspnea, 83% for pain and 75% for hemoptysis. These results were obtained within one month of treatment. Unfortunately, palliation of symptoms did not last long, decreasing to 42% within two months of the end of treatment and to 32% at three months. Four patients were retreated, one patient three months and three patients two months after the end of radiotherapy. Ten Gy to the target volume were administered as retreatment with spinal cord shielding. Side-effects were mild: nausea in 3 patients (17%), vomiting in one patient (5%) and grade-II dysphagia in two patients were observed and classified according to WHO criteria. Pain increased 24 hours after radiotherapy in five patients. We can conclude that single dose radiotherapy yields good, but short, palliation of symptoms with acceptable side-effects.
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PMID:[Single-dose palliative radiotherapy in inoperable non-small-cell lung carcinoma]. 868 68

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in both males and females. Despite this high incidence and mortality, comparatively little research has addressed the palliative treatment of thoracic symptoms. Until recently, information regarding the indications and effectiveness of radiation in this setting was obtained from retrospective reviews of single institutional experiences. More recently, three major randomized trials from the UK Medical Research Council (1991, 1992, 1994) have addressed the use of external beam radiation in randomized comparisons of different dose and fractionation strategies for patients with non-small cell lung cancer and symptoms due to intra-thoracic tumor. These studies show that shorter fractionation schemes provide equivalent palliation and essentially equivalent survival in the patient groups studied. Moreover, they provide estimates of the probability of successful palliation of common symptoms, and estimates of the toxicity of each regimen. A panel of oncologists with expertise in radiation oncology, medical oncology and epidemiology discussed the above trial results and a literature review. The panel concluded that radiation was indicated in the palliation of hemoptysis, chest pain, dysphagia, and dyspnea, and that the results of the MRC studies provided reasonable estimations of the efficacy and toxicity of radiation in this setting. These studies show that symptoms are more often than not improved with palliative radiotherapy (symptom improvement rates ranged from about 50 to 85%) and that palliation lasted for a substantial portion of the patients' remaining survival. The panel could not reach uniform consensus on the appropriate fractionation for radiation given with palliative intent. The panel agreed that favourable patients with stage IIIB NSCLC should be offered combined modality therapy with the intent of prolonging survival, and that patient preferences regarding the risks and benefits of this therapy should be considered. Further study was recommended, namely, a randomized trial evaluating five fractions of radiation vs a single fraction, using patient-based evaluation of palliation. The panel also recommended phase II development of a combined chemotherapy and low-dose radiation protocol appropriate for future study.
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PMID:The role of palliative thoracic radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. 885 35


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