Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
07:15
A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies
Published on: July 28, 2020
Symptom burden, survival and palliative care in advanced soft tissue sarcoma
Nicholas J Gough1, Clare Smith, Joy R Ross
1Palliative Care Department, Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK.
Sarcoma
|December 23, 2011
Summary
Patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) experience significant symptoms, particularly pain and dyspnea. Early palliative care (PC) referral is crucial for managing this symptom burden in advanced STS.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Sarcoma Research
Background:
- The symptom burden and palliative care (PC) role in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are not well-defined.
- Understanding these aspects is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the symptom burden in patients with advanced STS.
- To evaluate the involvement and timing of palliative care (PC) in the management of these patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with advanced STS who died within a specific year.
- Analysis of symptom data and palliative care (PC) referral timelines.
Main Results:
- 81 patients were included; 73% had metastatic disease at referral.
- The median symptom count increased from 2 to 3 as the disease progressed.
- Pain and dyspnea were the most common symptoms; 88% received PC involvement.
Conclusions:
- Metastatic STS patients have a substantial symptom burden, underscoring the need for early PC referral.
- Pain and dyspnea are significant issues, with dyspnea appearing undertreated.
- The short survival post-best supportive care (BSC) decision warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
02:49Cancer Therapies
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...