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Integrative Cancer Therapies 2023Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, many people across the world still suffer from this chronic disease and its complications.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Despite significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, many people across the world still suffer from this chronic disease and its complications. Chamomile as an herbal medicine has gained an increasing attention for relieving cancer complications. This study aimed to integrate and synthesize current international evidence regarding the effect of chamomile on cancer complications.
METHODS
A systematic review was undertaken. Five online databases including Web of Science, PubMed [including MEDLINE], Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase were searched and articles published from inception to January 2023 were retrieved. All clinical trials and similar interventional studies on human subjects examining the effects of chamomile on cancer complications were included in the review and research synthesis. Relevant data were extracted from eligible studies after quality appraisals using proper methodological tools. The review results were presented narratively given that meta-analysis was impossible.
RESULTS
A total of 2240 studies were retrieved during the search process, but 18 articles were selected. The total sample size was 1099 patients with cancer of which 622 participants were female. Fifteen studies used an RCT design. Various forms of chamomile were used such as mouthwash, topical material, tea, capsule, syrup and aromatherapy massage. Chamomile effectively reduced oral mucositis, skin complications, depression, and vomiting and also improved appetite and quality of life among cancer patients.
CONCLUSION
The use of chamomile as a non-pharmacologic and safe method can be helpful for mitigating cancer complications in patients with cancer. Therefore, it can be incorporated into routine care along with other therapeutic measures to reduce patients' suffering related to cancer.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER (PROSPERO)
CRD42022307887.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Chamomile; Massage; Neoplasms; Plant Extracts; Quality of Life; Stomatitis
PubMed: 37052390
DOI: 10.1177/15347354231164600 -
European Journal of Cancer (Oxford,... Sep 2022Hepatocellular (HCC) and extrahepatic cancers have been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the extent and nature of these relationships... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular (HCC) and extrahepatic cancers have been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, the extent and nature of these relationships remain unclear. We aimed to estimate the absolute incidence rates of these cancers in adults with NAFLD with respect to key demographic and clinical factors.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases for studies reporting the incidence rates of any cancer in adults with NAFLD from inception to 31 August 2020. The main meta-analysis outcomes were pooled incidences of cancers in NAFLD using random-effects modelling. Subgroup analyses examined the effects of NAFLD disease stage.
FINDINGS
In total, 64 studies were eligible for analysis of HCC and extrahepatic cancer incidence including 625,984 and 41,027 patients, respectively. The pooled HCC incidence rate was 1.25 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 1.01 to 1.49; I = 94.8%). In patients with NAFLD with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, the HCC incidence rate was 14.46 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 10.89 to 18.04; I = 91.3%). The pooled extrahepatic cancer incidence rate was 10.58 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 8.14 to 13.02; I = 97.1%). The most frequently occurring extrahepatic cancers were uterine, breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung. Extrahepatic cancer incidence rates were not higher in patients with NAFLD with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.
INTERPRETATION
The rate of HCC development in patients with NAFLD who have progressed to advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis supports current HCC surveillance recommendations targeted for this group. Extrahepatic cancers are over eight-fold more frequent than HCC in NAFLD and not associated with liver fibrosis stage. As the global prevalence of NAFLD is approximately 25% and increasing, these findings support a focus on its prevention and the early detection of cancer in adults with NAFLD.
Topics: Adult; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Fibrosis; Humans; Incidence; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35944373
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.06.051 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Aug 2023Many patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been used to study quality of life (QOL) in the skin cancer population. Advanced melanoma and non-melanoma skin... (Review)
Review
Many patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been used to study quality of life (QOL) in the skin cancer population. Advanced melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) may be associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and treatment side effects; however, it is unclear which PROM is valid and appropriate to use in these populations for both clinical and research purposes. We aimed to identify the PROMs that have been used to measure QOL in advanced skin cancer patients and determine which of these PROMs have been validated to assess QOL outcomes in this population. A PubMed and EMBASE search was conducted from its inception to March 2021 according to PRISMA guidelines with a comprehensive list of search terms under three main topics: (1) PROM; (2) advanced skin cancer; and (3) staging and interventions. We included articles utilizing a PROM measuring QOL and having a patient population with advanced skin cancer defined as melanoma stage > T1a or non-melanoma AJCC stage T3 or greater. Advanced skin cancer patients were also defined as those with metastasis or requiring adjuvant therapy (systemic chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy). Studies were excluded according to the following criteria: mix of low-risk and advanced skin cancer patients in the study population without stratification into low-risk and advanced groups, stage T1a melanoma or mix of stages without stratification, low-risk NMSC, no PROM (i.e., study specific questionnaires), non-English publication, review article or protocol paper, conference abstract, or populations including non-skin cancers. A total of 1,998 articles were identified. 82 met our inclusion criteria resulting in 22 PROMs: five generic health-related (QWB-SA, AQoL-8D, EQ-5D, SF-36, and PRISM), six general cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-C36, LASA, IOC, Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, and FACT-G), nine disease-focused or specialized (EORTC QLQ-H&N35, EORTC QLQ-MEL38, EORTC QLQ-BR23, Facial Disability Index, FACT-H&N, FACT-BRM, FACT-B, FACT-M, and scqolit), and two general dermatology (Skindex-16 and DLQI) PROMs. All PROMs have been generally validated except for EORTC QLQ-MEL38. Only two PROMs have been validated in the advanced melanoma population: FACT-M and EORTC QLQ-C36. No PROMS have been validated in the advanced NMSC population. The PROMs that were validated in the advanced melanoma population do not include QOL issues unique to advanced skin tumors such as odor, bleeding, itching, wound care burden, and public embarrassment. Breast cancer and head and neck cancer instruments were adapted but not validated for use in the advanced skin cancer population due to the lack of an adequate instrument for this population. This study highlights the need for PROM instrument validation or creation specifically geared toward the advanced skin cancer population. Future studies should aim to develop and validate a PROM to assess QOL in this population.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Skin Neoplasms; Melanoma; Surveys and Questionnaires; Patient Reported Outcome Measures
PubMed: 36469125
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-022-02479-0 -
Future Oncology (London, England) 2024To assess rates of no systemic treatment (NST), attrition across lines of therapy, and factors influencing treatment selection in patients with locally advanced or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
To assess rates of no systemic treatment (NST), attrition across lines of therapy, and factors influencing treatment selection in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (la/mUC). Systematic literature review to identify real-world studies reporting NST or attrition rates in la/mUC from 2017-2022 (including data reported since 2015). Of 2439 publications screened, 29 reported NST rates, ranging from 40-74% in eight European-based studies, 14-60% in 12 US-based studies, and 9-63% in nine studies in other locations (meta-analysis estimate, 39%). Factors associated with NST or no second-line therapy included older age, female sex, poor performance status, poor renal function and distant metastases. A substantial proportion of patients with la/mUC do not receive guideline-recommended treatment.
Topics: Humans; Urologic Neoplasms; Female; Neoplasm Staging; Male; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; Undertreatment
PubMed: 37526215
DOI: 10.2217/fon-2023-0298 -
The Oncologist Jul 2021Prostate cancer remains the leading diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among American men. Despite improvements in screening modalities, diagnostics,...
Prostate cancer remains the leading diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among American men. Despite improvements in screening modalities, diagnostics, and treatment, disparities exist among Black men in this country. The primary objective of this systematic review is to describe the reported disparities in screening, diagnostics, and treatments as well as efforts to alleviate these disparities through community and educational outreach efforts. Critical review took place of retrospective, prospective, and socially descriptive data of English language publications in the PubMed database. Despite more advanced presentation, lower rates of screening and diagnostic procedures, and low rates of trial inclusion, subanalyses have shown that various modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Moreover, patients treated on prospective clinical trials and within equal-access care environments have shown similar outcomes regardless of race. Additional prospective studies and enhanced participation in screening, diagnostic and genetic testing, clinical trials, and community-based educational endeavors are important to ensure equitable progress in prostate cancer for all patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Notable progress has been made with therapeutic advances for prostate cancer, but racial disparities continue to exist. Differing rates in screening and utility in diagnostic procedures play a role in these disparities. Black patients often present with more advanced disease, higher prostate-specific antigen, and other adverse factors, but outcomes can be attenuated in trials or in equal-access care environments. Recent data have shown that multiple modalities of therapy are quite effective in Black populations. Novel and bold hypotheses to increase inclusion in clinical trial, enhance decentralized trial efforts, and enact successful models of patient navigation and community partnership are vital to ensure continued progress in prostate cancer disparities.
Topics: Black or African American; Early Detection of Cancer; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; United States
PubMed: 33683758
DOI: 10.1002/onco.13749 -
Cancer Epidemiology Oct 2022Research regarding the incidence of cancer among people with psychotic disorders relative to the general population is equivocal, although the evidence suggests that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Research regarding the incidence of cancer among people with psychotic disorders relative to the general population is equivocal, although the evidence suggests that they have more advanced stage cancer at diagnosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the incidence and stage at diagnosis of cancer among people with, relative to those without, psychotic disorders. We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases. Articles were included if they reported the incidence and/or stage at diagnosis of cancer in people with psychotic disorders. Random effects meta-analyses were used to determine risk of cancer and odds of advanced stage cancer at diagnosis in people with psychosis, relative to those without psychotic disorders. A total of 40 articles were included in the review, of which, 31 were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled age-adjusted risk ratio for all cancers in people with psychotic disorders was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.15), relative to those without psychotic disorders, with significant heterogeneity by cancer site. People with psychotic disorders had a higher incidence of breast, oesophageal, colorectal, testicular, uterine, and cervical cancer, and a lower incidence of skin, prostate, and thyroid cancer. People with psychotic disorders also had 22% higher (95% CI: 2-46%) odds of metastases at diagnosis, compared to those without psychotic disorders. Our systematic review found a significant difference in overall cancer incidence among people diagnosed with psychotic disorders and people with psychotic disorders were more likely to present with advanced stage cancer at diagnosis. This finding may reflect a need for improved access to and uptake of cancer screening for patients diagnosed with psychotic disorders.
Topics: Humans; Incidence; Male; Neoplasms; Psychotic Disorders; Risk
PubMed: 35952461
DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2022.102233 -
BMJ Open Jan 2021To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies to evaluate the association of coffee consumption with the risk of prostate cancer. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies to evaluate the association of coffee consumption with the risk of prostate cancer.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched for eligible studies up to September 2020.
STUDY SELECTION
Cohort studies were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two researchers independently reviewed the studies and extracted the data. Data synthesis was performed via systematic review and meta-analysis of eligible cohort studies. Meta-analysis was performed with the "" and "" commands in Stata 14.0.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Prostate cancer was the main outcome. It was classified as localised prostate cancer which included localised or non-aggressive cancers; advanced prostate cancer which included advanced or aggressive cancers; or fatal prostate cancer which included fatal/lethal cancers or prostate cancer-specific deaths.
RESULTS
Sixteen prospective cohort studies were finally included, with 57 732 cases of prostate cancer and 1 081 586 total cohort members. Higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. Compared with the lowest category of coffee consumption, the pooled relative risk (RR) was 0.91 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.98), I= 53.2%) for the highest category of coffee consumption. There was a significant linear trend for the association (p=0.006 for linear trend), with a pooled RR of 0.988 (95% CI 0.981 to 0.995) for each increment of one cup of coffee per day. For localised, advanced and fatal prostate cancer, the pooled RRs were 0.93 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.99), 0.88 (95% CI 0.71 to 1.09) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.66 to 1.08), respectively. No evidence of publication bias was indicated in this meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a higher intake of coffee may be associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Topics: Coffee; Cohort Studies; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33431520
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038902 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management May 2023Religiosity/spirituality/religious-spiritual coping (RS) are resources used by cancer patients with cancer to help cope with the disease and may influence the preference... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Religiosity/spirituality/religious-spiritual coping (RS) are resources used by cancer patients with cancer to help cope with the disease and may influence the preference and receipt of end-of-life (EOL) treatment.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the relationship between RS and the EOL care preferred or received by cancer patients.
METHODS
This review protocol is registered on (International Prospective Register of Systematic Review, CRD42021251833) and follows the recommendations of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses checklist. Embase, Proquest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were consulted. Google Scholar was consulted for additional publications and gray literature. Quantitative studies including adults with any cancer type/stage were eligible. The paper selection was performed by two independent reviewers; the methodological quality was measured using the Newcastle Ottawa scale.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies were included in the review. In general, RS is related to the preference or receipt of aggressive EOL care and with less advance care planning. Spiritual care by the medical team is related to higher referral to hospice and less aggressive care; in contrast, high spiritual support from religious communities is associated with less hospice and more aggressive care. Religious denominations influenced health care preferences, as Catholics were less likely to sign a do-not-resuscitate order and Buddhists or Taoists received more aggressive interventions at the EOL. Most studies (70%) were of high quality according to the Newcastle Ottawa scale.
CONCLUSION
RS is associated with more aggressive EOL treatments, as well as with lower rates of ACP in cancer patients. On the other hand, spiritual care provided by the medical team seems to be associated with less aggressive EOL care.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Spirituality; Religion; Terminal Care; Hospice Care; Advance Care Planning; Death; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36758908
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.01.017 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery :... Dec 2023Tertiary medical centers in the USA provide specialized, high-volume surgical cancer care, contributing standards for quality and outcomes. For the most vulnerable... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tertiary medical centers in the USA provide specialized, high-volume surgical cancer care, contributing standards for quality and outcomes. For the most vulnerable populations, safety-net hospitals (SNHs) remain the predominant provider of both complex and routine healthcare needs. The objective of this study was to evaluate access to and quality of surgical oncology care within SNHs.
METHODS
A comprehensive and systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases to identify all studies (January 2000-October 2021) reporting the delivery of surgical cancer care at SNHs in the USA (PROSPERO #CRD42021290092). These studies describe the process and/or outcomes of surgical care for gastrointestinal, hepatopancreatobiliary, or breast cancer patients seeking treatment at SNHs.
RESULTS
Of 3753 records, 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Surgical care for breast cancer (43%) was the most represented, followed by colorectal (30%) and hepatopancreatobiliary (16%) cancers. Financial constraints, cultural and language barriers, and limitations to insurance coverage were cited as common reasons for disparities in care within SNHs. Advanced disease at presentation was common among cancer patients seeking care at SNHs (range, 24-61% of patients). Though reports comparing cancer survival between SNHs and non-SNHs were few, results were mixed, underscoring the variability in care seen across SNHs.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings highlight barriers in care facing many cancer patients. Continued efforts should address improving both access and quality of care for SNH patients. Future models include a transition away from a two-tiered system of resourced and under-resourced hospitals toward an integrated cancer system.
Topics: Humans; Female; Safety-net Providers; Hospitals; Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 37968551
DOI: 10.1007/s11605-023-05867-7 -
Cancer Treatment and Research 2021Pain is indelibly associated with the cancer experience. A systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the prevalence of cancer pain is 55% during anticancer... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Pain is indelibly associated with the cancer experience. A systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the prevalence of cancer pain is 55% during anticancer treatment, 66.4% in advanced, metastatic, or terminal disease, and 39.3% after curative treatment.
Topics: Cancer Pain; Humans; Neoplasms; Prevalence
PubMed: 34542872
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-81526-4_1