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Biomedical subjects

L Wenzel

Publications and source records attributed to L Wenzel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Quality of life in patients receiving treatment for gynecologic malignancies: special considerations for patient care.

Advances in the treatment of gynecologic cancer have extended the duration of survival of many patients. However, these patients frequently experience a variety of treatment- and disease-related side effects that diminish their quality of life (QOL) during and after treatment; among these are pain, nausea and vomiting, anemia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, emotional distress, and sexual dysfunction. Given the gains in survival time, patient care is being expanded to include enhancement or preservation of QOL in addition to early diagnosis and disease treatment, thus treating the whole person. In parallel with this evolution in cancer care, supportive measures are being increasingly recognized as crucial to effective patient management. This paper reviews some of the potential causes of diminished QOL in gynecologic cancer patients and basic treatment strategies for their control, with a focus on short-term QOL issues. It is important that clinicians monitor QOL during the course of the disease and its treatment, utilize procedures and therapeutic agents that take patient preferences and QOL into account, and proactively prevent and treat relevant symptoms.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Impact of BRCA1 testing on women with cancer: a pilot study.

We sought to understand better the impact of genetic testing and counseling in a group of women who had early breast cancer (age <50) or ovarian cancer and a family history of cancer. Thirty-five women underwent genetic counseling and genetic testing for BRCA1/2 at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, Hereditary Cancer Clinic. Psychological assessment (IES and Hopkins Symptom Checklist) was made before counseling, and 1 month after genetic test results were reported to women. A statistically significant decrease in anxiety was evidenced 1 month after results were given (p = 0.024). Decreased intrusive thoughts related to genetic testing were seen only for those testing negative (p = 0.0003). Women diagnosed with cancer less than 1 year prior to genetic testing experienced the greatest cancer-specific distress (p = 0.01) and distress related to genetic testing (p = not significant). Satisfaction with the counseling and testing process was high. In conclusion, genetic testing and counseling can occur with little anxiety and stress. However, women less than 1 year from a cancer diagnosis will experience the greatest distress associated with genetic testing and counseling. Women who are considering genetic testing and counseling close to a diagnosis of cancer may require greater psychological support.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Promoting cancer screening among the first-degree relatives of breast and colorectal cancer patients: the design of two randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: In this paper two large nationwide trials are described, both of which will test a comparable telephone-based counseling intervention to promote cancer screening among the first-degree relatives (FDRs) of breast and colorectal cancer patients. The unit of randomization will be the family unit of eligible FDRs. Access to FDRs will be obtained from their relatives with cancer. Selected intervention and design issues are reviewed, including how both projects will respond to FDRs who exhibit significant levels of cancer-specific anxiety or distress and how potential high-risk cancer families will be accommodated. METHODS: Pursuant to the development of both studies, two feasibility surveys were conducted to determine whether patients would grant access to their FDRs and whether the FDRS identified by these patients would be receptive to the telephone intervention. RESULTS: Approximately 80% (106 of 132) of breast cancer patients agreed to provide access to their eligible FDRs when contacted on-site at participating hospitals and clinics. Of those subsequently selected for telephone follow-up (n = 95 or 90%), 80% (n = 76) were successfully contacted by telephone, and of these 97% (n = 74) provided the names and telephone numbers of their FDRs. Among colorectal cancer patients contacted on-site (n = 46), 96% (n = 44) agreed to provide access to their FDRs, and of those contacted by telephone (n = 33 or 75%), 91% (n = 30) provided the requested information about their FDRs. Once contacted, 95% of breast cancer FDRs (55 of 58) and 91% of colorectal cancer patients (51 of 56) endorsed the intervention strategy. CONCLUSIONS: It is argued that this intervention, if proven effective, could provide an exportable strategy for reaching large numbers of high-risk individuals to promote cancer screening.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1992

The psychological, social, and sexual consequences of gestational trophoblastic disease.

Seventy-six women diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) from 1985 to 1989 completed questionnaires evaluating their status on mood disturbance, marital satisfaction, sexual functioning, psychosocial response to illness, and report of the most stressful event occurring within the past year. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were conducted on dependent measures to examine differences between diagnostic groups (partial mole, complete mole, persistent disease), time from diagnosis (less than 1 year, 1-2 years, or 3-5 years from diagnosis), and follow-up status (active disease or remission). MANOVAs revealed no significant differences in the dependent measures based on time from diagnosis, type of medical treatment received, or type of molar disease. The metastatic disease group displayed significantly greater mood disturbance (F(1, 66) = 17.63, P less than 0.0001) and reported suffering clinically significant levels of distress and significantly greater levels of distress in response to the illness (F(33, 39) = 2.32, P less than 0.006). Women with active disease also reported significantly greater levels of distress in response to the illness (F(33, 39) = 2.76, P less than 0.001). Across disease types, GTD patients experience clinically significant levels of anxiety, anger, fatigue, confusion, and sexual problems and are significantly impacted by pregnancy concerns for protracted periods of time.

Adaptation, Psychological↗