Summary A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of home enteral tube feeding on quality of life in 39 consecutive patients treated for head and neck or oesophageal cancer at the Centre François Baclesse in Caen, France. Patients were taken as their own controls. Quality of life was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 core questionnaire, and the EORTC H&N35 and OES24 specific questionnaires. The feeding technique tolerance was evaluated using a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Two evaluations were made, the first a week after hospital discharge (n = 39) and the second 3 weeks later (n = 30). Overall, the global health status/quality of life scale score slightly improved; among symptoms, scale scores that significantly improved (P < 0.05) concerned constipation, coughing, social functioning and body image/sexuality. The physical feeding technique tolerance was acceptable while the technique was psychologically less tolerated with two-thirds of the patients longing to have the tube removed. One third of the patients was also uncomfortable about their body image. Home enteral tube feeding was responsible for not visiting family or close relations in 15% of patients, and not going out in public in 23%. We conclude that home enteral tube feeding is a physically well accepted technique although a substantial proportion of patients may experience psychosocial distress.

No abstract

Objectives Superficial pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL) has a favorable prognosis compared to deeply seated PL. Given developments in the classification of lipomatous neoplasms, we reappraised a series of cases. Methods Retrospective clinicopathologic evaluation and genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray studies were performed for cases previously designated superficial PL. Results Four cases were identified (age, 48-70 years). Two were dermally confined, whereas two were superficial subcutaneous; no recurrences or metastases were reported. Tumors demonstrated pleomorphic spindled morphology with variable cellularity. Multivacuolated atypical lipoblasts were focal in 3 and abundant in 1. Dermal tumors demonstrated atypical cells within sclerotic collagen. Genome-wide SNP microarray studies revealed consistent gains and losses, including losses at the 13q14.2 locus encompassing RB1 and DLEU2 and deletion/disruption of the TP53 locus. Although subcutaneous examples showed genomic changes similar to deep PL, the dermal examples showed fewer genetic alterations, including changes reported in the spectrum of atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumors (ASPLT). All lacked MDM2 amplification. Conclusions Careful integration of histologic and genetic features may improve classification of lipomatous neoplasms with atypia, allowing reclassification of some superficial PL as ASPLT.

No abstract

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of home enteral tube feeding on quality of life in 39 consecutive patients treated for head and neck or esophageal cancer at the Center Francois Baclesse in Caen, France. Patients were taken as their own controls. Quality of life was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ‐C30 core questionnaire, and the EORTC H&N35 and OES24 specific questionnaires. The feeding technique tolerance was evaluated using a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Two evaluations were made, the first a week after hospital discharge (n = 39) and the second 3 weeks later (n = 30). Overall, the global health status/quality of life scale score slightly improved; among symptoms, scale scores that significantly improved (p < .05) concerned constipation, coughing, social functioning, and body image/sexuality. The physical feeding technique tolerance was acceptable while the technique was psychologically less tolerated with two‐thirds of the patients longing to have the tube removed. One‐third of the patients were also uncomfortable about their body image. Home enteral tube feeding was responsible for not visiting family or close relations in 15% of patients and not going out in public in 23%. We conclude that home enteral tube feeding is a physically well‐accepted technique although a substantial proportion of patients may experience psychosocial distress. (Brit J Cancer 82:263–9, 2000)