Role of chemotherapy additional to high-dose methotrexate for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL)
Abstract Background Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a variant of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that accounts for about 2% to 5% of all primary intracranial tumours with immunocompetent patients. It appears at a median age of 62 years. A standard of care for PCNSL patients has not been defined yet, but high-dose methotrexate […]
Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life and emotional wellbeing for recently diagnosed cancer patients
Abstract Background A cancer diagnosis may lead to significant psychological distress in up to 75% of cases. There is a lack of clarity about the most effective ways to address this psychological distress. Objectives To assess the effects of psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life (QoL) and general psychological distress in the 12-month phase […]
Exercise interventions on health-related quality of life for cancer survivors
Abstract Background Cancer survivors experience numerous disease and treatment-related adverse outcomes and poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Exercise interventions are hypothesized to alleviate these adverse outcomes. HRQoL and its domains are important measures for cancer survivorship. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise on overall HRQoL and HRQoL domains among adult post-treatment cancer survivors. […]
Exercise interventions on health-related quality of life for people with cancer during active treatment
Abstract Background People with cancer undergoing active treatment experience numerous disease- and treatment-related adverse outcomes and poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Exercise interventions are hypothesized to alleviate these adverse outcomes. HRQoL and its domains are important measures of cancer survivorship, both during and after the end of active treatment for cancer. Objectives To evaluate […]
Chemotherapy for brain metastases from small cell lung cancer
Abstract Background Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 20% of all cases of lung cancer. It tends to disseminate early in the course of its natural history and to grow quickly. Approximately 10% to 18% of patients present with brain metastases (BM) at the time of initial diagnosis, and an additional 40% to […]
Antiepileptic drugs for treating seizures in adults with brain tumours
Abstract Background Seizures are a common symptom of brain tumours. The mainstay of treatment for seizures is medical therapy with antiepileptic drugs. Objectives To evaluate the relative effectiveness and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs commonly used to treat seizures in adults with brain tumours. Search methods We searched CENTRAL (Issue 2 of 4, The Cochrane Library 2011), MEDLINE […]
Surgical resection and whole brain radiation therapy versus whole brain radiation therapy alone for single brain metastases
Abstract Background The treatment of brain metastasis is generally palliative since most patients have uncontrollable systemic cancer. Historically, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has been the treatment of choice, although more recently focused radiation therapy e.g. stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has developed a role in selected patients. In certain circumstances, such as single brain metastasis, death […]
High-dose chemotherapy for children and young adults with stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma
Abstract Background Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. Prognosis for patients with metastatic disease has not improved significantly in the past decades. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) seems to be an attractive option to treat minimal residual disease in metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma patients. Objectives The objective of the review was to assess the effectiveness […]
Drug therapy for the management of cancer-related fatigue
Abstract Background This review is an update of a previously published review in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Issue 1 2008). Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is common, under-recognised and difficult to treat. There have been studies looking at drug interventions to improve CRF but results have been conflicting depending on the population studied and outcome […]
Surgery versus radiosurgery for patients with a solitary brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer
Abstract Background Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Brain metastases are often seen in non-small cell lung cancer patients and although they are frequently multiple, a subset of patients with a solitary brain metastasis is regularly seen. Treatment of solitary brain metastasis has been surgery, when […]