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Biomedical subjects

Nathan I Cherny

Publications and source records attributed to Nathan I Cherny.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Sedation for the care of patients with advanced cancer.

Sedation in the context of palliative medicine is the monitored use of medications to induce varying degrees of unconsciousness to bring about a state of decreased or absent awareness (i.e. unconsciousness) in order to relieve the burden of otherwise intractable suffering. Sedation is used in palliative care in several settings: transient controlled sedation, sedation in the management of refractory symptoms at the end of life, emergency sedation, respite sedation, and sedation for refractory psychological or existential suffering. Sedation is controversial in that it diminishes the capacity of the patient to interact, function, and, in some cases, live. There is no distinct ethical problem in the use of sedation to relieve otherwise intolerable suffering in patients who are dying. Since all medical treatments involve risks and benefits, each potential option must be evaluated for its promise with regards to achieving the goals of care. When risks of treatment are involved, to be justified these risks must be proportionate to the gravity of the clinical indication. Some aspects of management, such as the need for hydration in patients undergoing sedation and the use of sedation in the management of psychological and spiritual suffering, remain controversial.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Existential issues do not necessarily result in existential suffering: lessons from cancer patients in Israel.

Existential distress has been recognized as a source of suffering for oncology patients. This study focusses on existential issues and coping mechanisms of a unique culturally diverse Jewish/Middle Eastern oncology population. A qualitative assessment of 40 patients with advanced cancer was undertaken through an interview process addressing the following themes: autonomy, dignity/body image, social isolation, coping mechanisms, guilt/past disappointments, spiritual health, meaning, hope and death/dying. The findings of this study indicate that existential concerns are endemic in this patient population, but that significant distress is relatively uncommon. Early palliative measures, family support, effective coping strategies, and religious belief systems may influence the way patients with advanced cancer deal with existential concerns.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Neoadjuvant imatinib for unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

We have evaluated the feasibility of the use of neoadjuvant imatinib mesylate in the management of unresectable localized gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In a pilot experience, two patients with unresectable gastrointestinal tumors were treated with neoadjuvant imatinib. Their treatment course and surgical outcomes are described. In both cases, the patient attained sufficient tumor regression to enable complete resection of tumor. We conclude that in the management of unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors, neoadjuvant administration of imatinib may facilitate sufficient tumor regression to facilitate subsequent tumor resection with curative intent.

Benzamides↗
PubMed2004

The pharmacologic management of cancer pain.

The management of cancer pain requires familiarity with a range of therapeutic strategies, including antineoplastic therapies, analgesic pharmacotherapy, and anesthetic, neurosurgical, psychological, and rehabilitation techniques. Successful pain management is characterized by implementation of the techniques with the most favorable therapeutic index for the prevailing circumstances, along with provision for repeated evaluations, so that a favorable balance between pain relief and adverse effects is maintained. For most patients, pain management involves the administration of specific analgesic approaches. In all cases, these analgesic treatments must be skillfully integrated with the management of other symptoms.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2003

Attitudes of medical oncologists toward palliative care for patients with advanced and incurable cancer: report on a survery by the European Society of Medical Oncology Taskforce on Palliative and Supportive Care.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: In part of a quality improvement program, the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) surveyed its membership regarding their involvement in and attitudes toward the palliative care (PC) of patients with advanced cancer. RESULTS: Of 895 members who responded, 82.5% were European and 12.1% were American. Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported that patients with advanced cancer constituted a major proportion of their practice; for 22% of respondents, patients with advanced cancer constituted most of their practice. Only a minority of respondents collaborated often with a PC care specialist (35%), a palliative home care service (38%), an in-patient hospice (26%), or a psychologist (33%). In response to questions regarding specific involvement in PC clinical tasks, respondents were involved more commonly in treating physical symptoms, such as pain (93%), fatigue (84%), and nausea/emesis (84%), than in managing psychological symptoms and end-of-life care issues, such as depression/anxiety (65%), existential distress (29%), or delirium (12%). Forty-three percent of respondents reported that they directly administered end-of-life care often, and 74% reported that they derived satisfaction from their involvement in end-of-life care. Overall, 88.4% of respondents endorsed the belief that medical oncologists should coordinate the end-of-life care for their patients, but a substantial minority (42%) felt that they were trained inadequately for this task. Positive attitudes toward PC were correlated highly with the degree of direct involvement in PC practice. Practitioners in private practice or teaching hospitals had substantially more positive attitudes regarding PC compared with physicians based in comprehensive cancer centers (P < 0.05). Although most of the responding medical oncologists expressed positive views regarding their involvement in the PC of patients with advanced cancer and dying patients, 15% of respondents had pervasively negative views. CONCLUSIONS: Most ESMO oncologists recognize the importance of PC and supportive care for patients with advanced cancer. Despite this, many are prepared inadequately for these tasks, and actual participation levels commonly are suboptimal.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Does mammography hurt?

The documented incidence of pain associated with screening mammography varies from 1% to 62%. Some researchers suggest that pain may undermine compliance with screening mammography. As a part of a quality improvement project, we have surveyed women undergoing mammography in 2 centers in Jerusalem to identify the prevalence, severity, and duration of mammography-associated pain, demographic risk factors, and the degree that this may undermine compliance with breast cancer screening. A 23-item questionnaire was administered to 399 women (32% at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center [SZMC] and 68% at the Rachel Nash Comprehensive Breast Clinic [HALA]). Of the total, 77% of the women reported that the procedure was painful. Of those reporting pain, 60% described pain intensity as moderate or severe. In 67%, the pain resolved within 10 minutes. By univariate analysis, the only significant predictor for pain during mammography was cyclic breast pain (P = 0.053). No significant correlation was identified for age, breast size, pre-mammography counseling, and examination center (SZMC vs. HALA). The prevalence of pre-mammography counseling or explanation was low (51%). Despite that, 61% of the respondents expected that mammography would be painful. Indeed, most of those who anticipated pain reported that the actual severity was not greater than the anticipated severity. Even among women who reported pain of moderate or greater severity, less than 5% expressed preference to receive pre-emptive analgesia prior to their next mammogram. A substantial minority of women acknowledged that the experience of their mammography invoked reactions that may impend future compliance; 26% reported anxiety and 12% reported pain as factors that may interfere with ongoing compliance with regular mammographic screening. These data serve to emphasize the need for appropriate pre-test counseling and suggest a possible role for post-test debriefing to address those factors which may interfere with future test compliance.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Constipation and diarrhea in patients with cancer.

Constipation and diarrhea are both common problems in patients with advanced cancer. They are source of major morbidity and distress. Constipation is, overall, more common that diarrhea. Diarrhea may be severe and, in some cases, associated with life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. Indeed, with some of the newer chemotherapy agents, this is a problem seen with increasing frequency. Oncologists must be familiar with the common causes of constipation and diarrhea in cancer patients and the strategies to evaluate and manage these common and distressing symptoms. Both with constipation and diarrhea, there is a differential diagnosis. In many cases, management can be complex and challenging. Approaches to diagnosis, evaluation, and management are reviewed.

Antidiarrheals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Palliative care in situations of conflict: lessons from Jerusalem.

Situations of political conflict are characterized by enmity and the potential for, or actual, violence. Conflict of this ilk may be manifested as outright war, a cycle of terror and reprisals, or a grumbling enmity between religious, national, ethnic, or cultural groups. Clinicians delivering palliative care in such circumstances confront challenges, including the disruption of infrastructure, bias, distrust and enmity, clinician and patient safety, and abuse of health care resources by combatants. Providing palliative care despite these obstacles is a challenge that requires planning and careful execution. When successful, good provision of palliative care, even across lines of conflict, has the capacity to mitigate enmity and promote understanding.

Caregivers↗