Low level of PA was relatively high among Turkish physicians and nurses working in oncology department compared with previous studies. Younger and single physicians had higher burnout levels compared with older and married ones.

One hundred ten patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy who presented to Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology between January 2004 and April 2007 were included in this study. The series of forms including the questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the patient, Turkish version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Turkish version of the STAI, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30; version 3) were completed during face-to-face interviews by trained interviewers to determine the psychological status and quality of life of the patients. The mean Beck depression scores were 11.2 +/- 9.0 (range 0-44) and the mean STAI scores were 41.9 +/- 8.8 (range 22-71). Of the patients (Beck depression scores >or=17 points), 23.6% were determined as depressive. The EORTC-QLQ-C30 function scales and global quality of life scores of the depressive patients (BDI >or= 17) were significantly lower than that of the nondepressive patients (BDI < 17). EORTC-QLQ-C30 symptom scale scores (excluding of the diarrhea) of the depressive patients were significantly higher than that of the nondepressive patients. The patients with low STAI scores (STAI < 45) had significantly higher EORTC-QLQ-C30 function scales and global quality of life scores than the patients with high STAI scores (STAI >or= 45). EORTC-QLQ-C30 symptom scale scores of the patients with high STAI scores were significantly higher than that of the patients with low STAI scores. In the present study, we detected that anxiety and depression were strongly associated with poor quality of life in Turkish colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Several studies evaluating the prognostic factors of gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) have been published. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been accepted as prognostic factors for cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This study included 132 patients diagnosed with GEP-NETs. Peripheral blood samples were collected before the pretreatment period. Results: NLR and PLR were increased as the grade increased in NETs. The embryonic origin analysis revealed higher NLR and PLR rates in NETs of foregut origin. NLR and PLR were also higher in pancreatic NET patients compared to the gastroenteric NET patients. Analysis of NETs by TNM indicated that an advanced stage was accompanied by significantly higher NLR and PLR. We found a strong negative correlation between progression-free survival and NLR and PLR. Conclusion: The study verified that NLR and PLR are simple laboratory findings that can be used to identify NETs with a worse outcome.

de Gramont's regimen has a lower incidence of cardiotoxicity compared with more prolonged 5-FU-based infusion regimens. Nevertheless, patients should still be carefully monitored especially in the first cycles and at night time.

Both total mesorectal excision and preoperative chemoradiotherapy may adversely affect the anorectal function. Careful selection of the patients who will benefit from neoadjuvant therapy and identifying the patients with a high risk of developing functional problems may help to improve functional outcomes for the treatment of rectal cancer.