Oral cavity complications in oncological and hemato-oncological patients.

BACKGROUND: Oral cavity injuries are very significant complications in the treatment of oncological and hemato-oncological patients. Preventive and curative interventions and patient education reduce the risk of complications and their consequences. A working group of authors from professional groups prepared recommendations for care. PURPOSE: A basic summary of recommended interventions to prevent and treat oral cavity injuries in daily practice, defined on the basis of expert societies guidelines, trials, literature data and proven practice and on the consensus opinions of the authors group members. RESULTS: Preventive measures and patient education are essential in the approach to dealing with oral injuries in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, risky targeted treatment and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Local care products are an important element of care, in case of infections, their antimicrobial action is essential, in case of graft-versus-host disease or in connection with targeted oncological therapy, corticoids are used. CONCLUSION: The recommended procedures contribute to the reduction of the development, severity and consequences of oral complications in oncological and hemato-oncological patients.

Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression and Their Impact on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients Treated with Palliative Antineoplasic Therapy - Results of the PALINT Trial.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety, depression, and psychological distress are common syndromes of advanced cancer; all have a negative impact on overall quality of life. However, these symptoms are not monitored explicitly and they are managed only by pharmacotherapy. Given the complex etiology of these symptoms, this biomedical approach is inadequate and inefficient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we present the results of a longitudinal assessment of distress, anxiety, and depression in a sample of 126 patients treated with palliative systemic therapy for advanced cancer in the PALINT trial. Symptoms and quality of life were assessed regularly using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), respectively. RESULTS: The baseline prevalence of significant distress, anxiety, and depression was 32,6; 35,9; and 56,5%, respectively. A decreasing trend in the prevalence of distress and anxiety occurred after 2 and months - distress (19.4 and 16.3%), anxiety (20.9 and 16.3%), and depression (46.3 and 46.9%). However, these changes did not reach statistical significance. The presence of anxiety and depression correlated negatively with overall quality of life. CONCLUSION: High rates of distress, anxiety, and depression are a strong argument for implementation of systematic screening for psychological distress, and for comprehensive psychosocial support for all patients with advanced cancer throughout the disease trajectory. The HADS questionnaire is a suitable tool for this type of screening. This work was supported by the grant of Ministry of Health AZV 15-33590A. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 3. 12. 2018 Accepted: 24. 3. 2019.

[Anticoagulation and Thrombembolism During Bevacizumab Treatment--To Be Careful or Fearful?]. / Antikoagulacní lécba a trombembolizmus pri lécbe bevacizumabem--opatrnost, ci obavy?

Inhibition of angiogenesis is a valid approach in today's medicine. Besides oncology, it is used in ophthalmology, as well. In oncology, angiogenesis inhibition has become a routine and accessible method. A combination of angiogenesis inhibition and other therapies, including anticoagulation and antiaggregation is common in many cases. Bevacizumab is the most used antiangiogenic agent and has been in use for the longest period of time. A concomitant administration of angiogenesis inhibitors and anticoagulation may be feared by oncologists. From the available literature it is obvious that concomitant administration of bevacizumab and anticoagulation is safe. Also, use of antiaggregation and bevacizumab is safe. The risk of venous and arterial thromboembolism is real during the treatment with bevacizumab. Therefore, concomitant anticoagulation is not only possible but also may be desirable.