Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Gait is a sensitive marker for functional declines commonly seen in patients treated for advanced cancer. We tested the effect of a combined exercise and nutrition programme on gait parameters of advanced-stage cancer patients using a novel wearable gait analysis system. METHODS: Eighty patients were allocated to a control group with nutritional support or to an intervention group additionally receiving whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training (2×/week). At baseline and after 12 weeks, physical function was assessed by a biosensor-based gait analysis during a six-minute walk test, a 30-s sit-to-stand test, a hand grip strength test, the Karnofsky Index and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and inflammation by blood analysis. RESULTS: Final analysis included 41 patients (56.1% male; 60.0 ± 13.0 years). After 12 weeks, the WB-EMS group showed higher stride length, gait velocity (p < .05), six-minute walking distance (p < .01), bodyweight and skeletal muscle mass, and emotional functioning (p < .05) compared with controls. Correlations between changes in gait and in body composition, physical function and inflammation were detected. CONCLUSION: Whole-body electromyostimulation combined with nutrition may help to improve gait and functional status of cancer patients. Sensor-based mobile gait analysis objectively reflects patients' physical status and could support treatment decisions.

Changing current practice in urological cancer care: Providing better information, advice and related support on work engagement.

There is a growing body of evidence on the importance of work following a diagnosis of cancer and the need to provide better information, advice and related support to patients on work engagement. The aim of this study was to better understand the nature of those needs and to identify better ways to meet these for those with a urological cancer. The focus was on the issues that were common to three key stakeholder groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders in North East Scotland: 12 individuals with kidney, bladder or prostate cancer, 10 healthcare providers and 10 managers from large organisations. Five key themes emerged from the Framework Analysis: perceived importance of work engagement; decision-making: treatment, work and cancer; roles and responsibilities; education and training; information, advice and support resources. The data confirmed that work engagement is important to those with urological cancer. It also made clear that the current provision of information and advice could be improved. Any such interventions should involve all three key stakeholder groups with greater clarity on their respective roles and responsibilities. Finally, any new system would be best integrated with existing care provision and supported by adequate education and training of those involved.

[Social medical/public health assessment of the ability to work regarding urological and urooncological diseases]. / Sozialmedizinische Begutachtung der Arbeits- und Erwerbsfähigkeit bei urologischen/uroonkologischen Erkrankungen.

The primary objectives of modern urooncological treatment concepts are quality of life, reintegration and participation. Urological rehabilitation supports the overcoming of side effects of disease and treatment, which is necessary for the timely return to work life. Social medical assessment reflects the individual overall results of the entire treatment process concerning oncological prognosis, physical and mental capacity and resilience.

[Secondary and tertiary prevention of urological tumors]. / Sekundär- und Tertiärprävention urologischer Tumore.

The amount and quality of available data on secondary and tertiary prevention of urological tumors are to a large extent unsatisfactory. In the areas of nutrition and supplementary diet the consumption of tomatoes and especially tomato products could have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease for patients with prostate cancer, whereas there is evidence that the consumption of foodstuffs containing calcium (milk and milk products) and linolenic acid as well as a fat-rich diet accelerate tumor progression. Despite as yet unsatisfactory data, men with urothelial tumors or prostate cancer should abstain from smoking and undertake sports activities. For medicinal measures the administration of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and bone-promoting substances for patients with prostate cancer are under discussion. The effectiveness of the substances zoledronate and denosumab has been demonstrated in prospective randomized studies. The authors recommend that the scientifically neglected field of tertiary prevention of urological tumors should in future be included as a core factor of scientific investigations.

Two-stage technique for implantation of inflatable penile prosthesis in pelvic cancer surgery.

A two-stage technique for implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis has been developed for patients undergoing radical pelvic cancer surgery. Over the past five years, this method has been utilized in 147 men undergoing radical cystectomies or prostatectomies. The technique involves implanting the reservoir and pump of the prosthesis at the time of the radical cancer operation when the lateral neurovascular bundles of erection are being sacrificed. The reservoir and pump are permanently connected, and the cylinder tubings from the pump are temporarily connected and placed in the subcutaneous tissue overlying the pubis. During a second procedure, usually six to twelve weeks later, the cylinders are implanted infrapubically and connected to the easily located pump tubing. The advantages are several. (1) The pump and reservoir are easily implanted during the pelvic surgery while importantly not adding significantly to the operative time or morbidity of the primary procedure. (2) The reservoir is easily positioned in the pelvis. (3) The scrotum with its contained pump already will be healed when the entire prosthesis is connected, bypassing the initial scrotal pain and edema. (4) Psychologically the patients feel relieved that their erectile dysfunction is being treated immediately. This two-stage technique appears to maximize the gain of early and easy implantation while minimizing the potential problems of concomitant surgery.

[Onco-urological diseases as a cause of disability]. / Onkourologicheskie bolezni kak prichina invalidnosti.

Oncourologic diseases account for 3-5% of cases of primary malignancy-associated disability. Considerable disability is characteristic and tends to increase. However, on reexamination many disabled are recognized as having completely or partially restored working capacity. Further studies on disability and development of measures for rehabilitation in cancer of urinary and male genital organs are required.

[(General rehabilitation in oncology)]. / Generalrehabilitation in der Onkologie.

Rehabilitation has become a modern expression. For many years optimal rehabilitation has been carried out in many different sectors of illness. Too few activities, however, have been developed for the rehabilitation and control of cancer patients. No other group requires rehabilitation as foremost as that of cancer patients who need a complete and complex program which besides pure medical treatment affords psychosomatic care primarily. By developing a program under the title "Wiener Modell" (Vienna Model), our department was able to put into practice a suitable program for the control of cancer patients. The success was possible due to the excellent teamwork of doctors, nurses and therapeuts as well as the inter-disciplinary cooperation of all specialists available in a municipal modern hospital.