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Despite the importance of symptom control in the cancer population, few studies have systematically assessed the prevalence and characteristics of symptoms or the interactions between various symptom characteristics and other factors related to quality of life (QOL). As part of a validation study of a new symptom assessment instrument, inpatients and outpatients with prostate, colon, breast or ovarian cancer were evaluated using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale and other measures of psychological condition, performance status, symptom distress and overall quality of life. The mean age of the 243 evaluable patients was 55.5 years (range 23-86 years); over 60% were women and almost two-thirds had metastatic disease. The Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score was < or = 80 in 49.8% and 123 were inpatients at the time of assessment. Across tumour types, 40-80% experienced lack of energy, pain, feeling drowsy, dry mouth, insomnia, or symptoms indicative of psychological distress. Although symptom characteristics were variable, the proportion of patients who described a symptom as relatively intense or frequent always exceeded the proportion who reported it as highly distressing. The mean (+/- SD range) number of symptoms per patient was 11.5 +/- 6.0 (0-25); inpatients had more symptoms than outpatients (13.5 +/- 5.4 vs. 9.7 +/- 6.0, p < 0.002) and those with KPS < or = 80 had more symptoms than those with KPS > 80 (14.8 +/- 5.5 vs. 9.2 +/- 4.9, p < 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purpose To provide guidance to oncology clinicians on how to use effective communication to optimize the patient-clinician relationship, patient and clinician well-being, and family well-being. Methods ASCO convened a multidisciplinary panel of medical oncology, psychiatry, nursing, hospice and palliative medicine, communication skills, health disparities, and advocacy experts to produce recommendations. Guideline development involved a systematic review of the literature and a formal consensus process. The systematic review focused on guidelines, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 2006 through October 1, 2016. Results The systematic review included 47 publications. With the exception of clinician training in communication skills, evidence for many of the clinical questions was limited. Draft recommendations underwent two rounds of consensus voting before being finalized. Recommendations In addition to providing guidance regarding core communication skills and tasks that apply across the continuum of cancer care, recommendations address specific topics, such as discussion of goals of care and prognosis, treatment selection, end-of-life care, facilitating family involvement in care, and clinician training in communication skills. Recommendations are accompanied by suggested strategies for implementation. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki .

There is a great variability among advanced cancer patients in the experience of symptoms and their impact on life's activities. A subgroup of difficult patients particularly tax the clinical skills and compassion of practitioners. Although the need for information about these patients is evident, their characteristics have not been explored heretofore. We describe our experience with such patients, a group referred to the Supportive Care Program of the Pain Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Prevalence of pain and other symptoms, patterns of opioid use and routes of drug administration, and the prevalence of suicidal ideation and requests for euthanasia are discussed.

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