Focht, B.C., Clinton, S.K., Devor, S.T., Garver, M.J., Lucas, A.R., Thomas-Ahner, J.M., & Grainger, E. (2013). Resistance exercise interventions during and following cancer treatment: A systematic review. Journal of Supportive Oncology, 11, 45–60.
Pertaining to fatigue outcomes, two randomized, controlled design studies showed insignificant changes in fatigue with BRCA survivors. One nonrandomized trial showed insignificant change in patients with prostate cancer. Two randomized, controlled studies showed moderate to large effect sizes in patients with BRCA and prostate cancer patients over time after three and six months. Large effects were seen in the Schmidt study with BRCA survivors. A moderate effect was seen in the Segal study of patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy. Small effect sizes were seen in BRCA patients undergoing chemotherapy at a midpoint and post-treatment.
The results of this study suggested that RE may improve fatigue in patients with BRCA undergoing chemotherapy, patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, and in BRCA survivors.
Although methodologic quality was good overall, an increase of intent-to-treat analyses of future randomized, controlled trials is needed.
Few studies examined this type of exercise, and additional study is indicated.
Fobair, P., Koopman, C., DiMiceli, S., O'Hanlan, K., Butler, L. D., Classen, C., . . . Spiegel, D. (2002). Psychosocial intervention for lesbians with primary breast cancer. Psychooncology, 11, 427–438.
The intervention included twelve 90-minute meetings of a supportive-expressive group therapy led by a licensed clinical social worker; participants discussed problems, coping, treatment, mood, self-efficacy, relationships, pain, sleep, body image, and sexuality. Outcomes were emotional distress, mood, self-efficacy, body image, sexuality, social support, quality of life (QOL), pain, and sleep.
Three community settings in Northern California
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
The study used a one-group, pre-/posttest design.
Brief questionnaire based on the Structured Insomnia Interview to assess quality and quantity of sleep and daytime sleepiness
Patients undergoing 12 weeks of supportive group therapy showed statistically significant improvement in sleep (less waking during the night).
Fluhr, J.W., Miteva, M., Primavera, G., Ziemer, M., Elsner, P., & Berardesca, E. (2007). Functional assessment of a skin care system in patients on chemotherapy. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 20, 253–259.
To evaluate the effectiveness of concomitant treatment with a cleanser (slight acidic washing) and a slightly acidic emollient (both pH 5.5) in improving symptoms of xerosis in patients receiving chemotherapy.
This study was conducted at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany, and at Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano in Rome, Italy.
This was a controlled, monocentric, three-week treatment trial.
Concomitant treatment with a cleanser (slight acidic washing) and a slightly acidic emollient (both pH 5.5) was effective in improving symptoms of xerosis in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Flores, I.Q., & Ershler, W. (2009). Managing neutropenia in older patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy in a community setting. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 14, 81–86.
The purpose of the study was to compare the use of pegfilgratim in all chemotherapy cycles with pegfilgrastim use at the clinician’s discretion for the reduction of febrile neutropenia, grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, dose delay, dose reduction, hospitalization, antibiotic use, and infections in older adults with cancer.
Study period was June 2002 to Nov 2004.
Older adults with cancer of the breast, ovary, lung, or aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were randomized to pegfilgrastim (subcutaneous injection 6 mg one time per cycle 24 hours after chemotherapy completion staring with cycle one) or secondary prophylaxis with pegfilgrastim (subcutaneous injection 6 mg one time per cycle 24 hours after chemotherapy completion staring after cycle one at physician’s discretion [discretion may be in response to severe neutropenia, netropenia-related events during chemotherapy, dose delays, dose reductions, or no changes in dose or timing]).
Phase IV, open-label, randomized, multicenter, community-based trial
701 patients with solid tumors. Fifteen were excluded, making the sample size 686 (343 in the pegfilgrastim arm, 343 in the physician discretion arm). Those who completed the study in each arm was 198 in the pegfilgrastim arm and 175 in the physician discretion arm. Forty-two percent of patients in the discretion arm received pegfilgrastim, most often for grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. There were 151 patients with NHL. Five were excluded, making the sample size 146 (73 in the pegfilgrastim arm, 73 in the physician discretion arm). Thirty-eight patients in each arm completed the study. In the discretion arm, 64% received pegfilgratim.
Febrile neutropenia was lower in the all-cycle pegfilgrastim arm compared to the discretion arm, with a 60% reduction in incidence of febrile neutropenia for patients with solid tumors (p = 0.001) and 59% reduction of febrile neutropenia for patients with NHL (p = 0.004). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia was 22% for patients with solid tumors and 75% for patients with NHL in the all-cycle pegfilgrastim arm compared to 58% for patients with solid tumors and 86% for patients with NHL in the discretion arm. Rates of febrile neutropenia in the first cycle for patients with solid tumors were 3%, and 7% for NHL patients in the all-cycle pegfilgrastim arm compared to 7% for solid tumors and 25% for NHL patients in the discretion arm.
Overall, for patients with solid tumors, the all-cycle pegfilgrastim arm had lower rates of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, dose delays, dose reductions, decreased hospitalizations, and decreased antibiotic use compared to the discretion arm; and similarly for patients with NHL with the exceptions of higher rates of dose delay and dose reductions in the all-cycle pegfilgrastim arm. None of these findings were statistically significant.
The most serious adverse event related to pegfilgrastim use was bone pain (12%) in the solid tumor group and in the NHL group (9%) for those receiving all-cycle pegfilgrastim compared to 5% and 4%, respectively, for the discretion arm.
Pegfilgrastin use in older adults undergoing chemotherapy for cancer of the lung, breast, or ovary, or for NHL is safe and effective with use starting in the first cycle for the reduction of febrile neutropenia, grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia-related hospitalizations, and antibiotic use. Dose delay and dose reduction were shown to be increased for patients with NHL who received pegfilgrastin at all cycles compared to physician discretion, which may be due to increased use of pegfilgrastin through physician discretion in this population. In addition, due to the use of pegfilgrastin by physician discretion as the comparison group and the unknown information about frequency of dosing in the discretion arm outside of the majority beginning pegfilgrastin treatment following a grade 3 or 4 febrile neutropenic event, coupled with limited statistically significant outcomes, it is difficult to have a definitive conclusion based on these findings. Clinically, however, the outcomes do appear favorable towards use of pegfilgrastin beginning with the first cycle.
The administration of pegfilgrastin starting with the first cycle of chemotherapy may reduce neutropenic events and related complications in older adults with cancer. Nurses can be at the forefront of advocating for this therapy, administering it, and monitoring patients for effective outcomes and/or adverse events.
Flieger, D., Klassert, C., Hainke, S., Keller, R., Kleinschmidt, R., & Fischback, W. (2007). Phase II clinical trial for prevention of delayed diarrhea with cholestyramine/levofloxacin in the second-line treatment with irinotecan biweekly in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Oncology, 72(1–2), 10–16.
Patients receiving 250 mg/m2 IV irinotecan over 90 minutes every two weeks were given 500 mg levofloxacin tablets once at 8 pm and 4 g cholestyramine three times per day (not together with other medications) beginning the day before chemotherapy to day +1. Patients with acute cholinergic syndrome, abdominal cramping, and early diarrhea, were given 0.25-1 mg IV atropine. Patients experiencing delayed diarrhea were offered loperaminde.
This was a phase II trial.
Combination cholestyramine and levofloxacin is a promising option for prevention of delayed diarrhea caused by irinotecan and may help to escalate the dose of irinotecan in the future.
Fletcher, D.S., Coyne, P.J., Dodson, P.W., Parker, G.G., Wan, W., & Smith, T.J. (2014). A randomized trial of the effectiveness of topical "ABH Gel" (Ativan®, Benadryl®, Haldol®) versus placebo in cancer patients with nausea. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 48(5), 797–803.
To determine the effectiveness of ABH gel (containing Ativan®, Benadryl®, and Haldol®) on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with cancer
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, noninferiority clinical trail
In total, 22 patients enrolled in the study. However, 20 patients completed both arms (treatment and placebo) as a crossover. In the results section, the researcher listed three important findings: the mean change in the nausea score from baseline to 60 minutes post-treatment in both groups was not statistically significant; the ABH gel was not topically absorbed well even four hours after application; and almost 67% of the study patients stated that treatment was not effective in relieving symptoms.
The researchers concluded that the ABH gel in its current formulation should not be used for patients with cancer.
The same authors also demonstrated similar results in healthy volunteers in their previously published study in the May 2012 issue of the same journal titled “ABH Gel is not Absorbed From the Skin of Normal Volunteers,” which found that ABH gel is not absorbed well topically. In that study, lorazepam and Haldol® were almost undetectable in the blood samples of healthy study subjects; in other words, the plasma samples indicated that ABH gel was clinically or therapeutically insignificant. Therefore, ABH gel in its current formulation should not be used in patients with cancer.
Flerlage, J.E., & Baker, J.N. (2015). Methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation in children and adolescents and young adults with progressive incurable cancer at the end of life. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 18, 631–633.
To describe the use of methylnaltrexone (MNTX) in pediatric patients with cancer in both inpatient and outpatient settings
A retrospective chart review was conducted on all children, adolescents, and young adults with incurable cancer treated at St. Jude Hospital from May 2008 to June 2013. Pharmacy data and chart data were reviewed for inclusion data. Patients had documented OIC and the administration of enteral preparations and/or suppositories to treat OIC. After standard therapy for OIC was not successful, MNTX was administered subcutaneously at 0.15 mg/kg per dose.
MNTX administration produced bowel function in seven (78%) of the patients in one hour and with five (71%) of the patients having a response to first dose. With repeated dosing, 71% had continued response. There were no side effects documented. Two patients responded to repeated doses. The drug was effective in four of five patients with intra-abdominal disease.
The study revealed that MNTX can be safe and effective in children, adolescents, and young adults with OIC and end-of-life disease.
OIC is a distressing side effect of opioid pain management. The use of MNTX in pediatric patients with cancer with progressive disease appears to be an effective and safe in this retrospective audit, but prospective randomized clinical trials are required.
Flemming, K. (2010). The use of morphine to treat cancer-related pain: A synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 39(1), 139–154.
Electronic searches retrieved a total of 2,886 records. After screening by title, 255 abstracts were retrieved for initial review. Of these the author obtained 30 articles for full review. Reference chaining yielded another 10 articles. A final sample of 19 resources met criteria and were analyzed. The author used a quality-appraisal checklist. Findings from each qualitative report were identified and compared with recommendations regarding effectiveness. Two resources provided the framework of comparison: Cochrane Systematic Review of Oral Morphine for Cancer Pain and the European Association for Palliative Care recommendations regarding use of opioids for cancer pain.
The study resulted in the synthesis of four arguments.
Patients were selective about their disclosure of pain severity. The degree of confidence and trust in providers influenced reporting about pain, treatment choices, and use of opioids. Negative feeling toward providers led to reluctance to report pain.
This review provides a wealth of powerful and meaningful information that healthcare professionals can use to improve how they work with patients and caregivers in the management of cancer-related pain. Findings suggest that many professionals still have concerns about addiction with the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic cancer pain and that these professionals intentionally or unintentionally communicate these concerns, adversely influencing patients' and caregivers' experiences. Findings point to the importance of aggressive management and prevention of adverse side effects from opioids, to have a positive effect on the patient’s sense of the trade-offs involved with opioids. Findings support the concept that a team approach involving providers, caregivers, and patients and trust among team members are crucial to effective pain management.
Nurses can use the themes to guide open discussion and to anticipate potential issues regarding the use of opioids for pain management.
Fleming, S., Yannakou, C.K., Haeusler, G.M., Clark, J., Grigg, A., Heath, C.H., . . . Slavin, M.A. (2014). Consensus guidelines for antifungal prophylaxis in haematological malignancy and haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, 2014. Internal Medicine Journal, 44, 1283–1297.
RESOURCE TYPE: Consensus-based guideline
PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT: Not fully described. Provides only search terms used
Not stated
No quality grading of evidence
Provides information regarding risk factors for consideration in determining the specific type of prophylactic agent to be used, and provides comprehensive information regarding metabolism, etc., of individual antifungals.
Fleming, L., Randell, K., Harvey, C.J., & Espie, C.A. (2014). Does cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia reduce clinical levels of fatigue, anxiety and depression in cancer patients? Psycho-Oncology.
To explore relationships among variables and evaluate change in symptoms following cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI)
This paper reports a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of CBTI delivered in group sessions over five weeks. Assessments done at baseline and post-treatment were analyzed.
PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment
Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
The most common symptom cluster reported was insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue (18% of patients). Clinical-level insomnia was reduced by 52% in the CBTI group compared to a 17.5% reduction in the usual care controls post-intervention (p < .001). CBTI resulted in a 10.9% reduction in rate of clinical levels of fatigue, compared with a 2.5% increase in control patients post-treatment (p = .03). Anxiety rates did not change. Most patients were not clinically depressed at baseline, and no significant differences were seen between groups in depression rates post-intervention.
The CBTI reduced prevalence of insomnia and clinically relevant fatigue.
Findings support the use of CBTI for sleep/wake disturbance and fatigue management in patients after cancer treatment. Follow-up in this report was immediately after five weeks of the intervention only, so how long-lasting any effects are is not clear.