Cancer-related constipation

A national cross-sectional survey of constipation in patients attending cancer centres in Ireland

Background: The prevalence of constipation in patients with cancer is estimated at 50-90%. It is often associated with pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting and impacts negatively on quality of life. Despite its common occurrence, it is often poorly recognised and treated by healthcare professionals. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ireland to describe constipation prevalence and severity in patients attending cancer centres and to evaluate management efficacy.  In-patients or patients attending day oncology wards in any of the country's eight designated cancer centres were eligible to participate. Participants were shown the Bristol Stool Chart  and answered questions regarding stool appearance and sensation of  incomplete defecation; they completed the Constipation Assessment Scale. Data on pain character and intensity, opioid use, and prescribed and over-the-counter laxative use were collected. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Significance of variations for continuous data were determined using t-tests. Conditional ordered logistic regression was undertaken to determine factors associated with constipation. Results: The dataset comprised 491 patients. 24.8% had been reviewed by specialist palliative care; 14.5% by the anaesthetic pain team. In total, 42.2% of respondents were taking step 2 or step 3 opioids. Constipation prevalence was 67.6%; 19.4% of patients had Constipation Assessment Scale scores indicating severe constipation. A total of 46% of the respondents were not taking any laxatives. Of those who were taking laxatives, 54.8%  reported constipation symptoms. While opioid use was strongly associated with participants reporting higher scores, this association was not seen in those patients receiving specialist palliative care. Conclusions: Constipation remains a clinical problem in Irish cancer centres. Despite increased opioid use, patients receiving specialist palliative care were more likely to take laxatives and reported less constipation. Specialist palliative care practice should be studied in order to identify what are the transferable 'ingredients' of effective constipation management.

Health-related quality of life became worse in short-term during treatment in head and neck cancer patients: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QoL) is influenced in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients by a set of factors related to diagnosis, treatment and tumor impacts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) changes in Head and Neck cancer (HNC) patients during treatment (radiotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy).

METHODS

QoL was evaluated prospectively in 63 HNC patients during radiotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy at three moments: before or at beginning (T0), in the middle (T1 ~ four weeks) and immediately at the end (T2 ~ eight weeks) of treatment. The differences between the scores at different time points was verified using Friedman's non-parametric test. Negative changes between time points were evaluated, with differences (delta) of ±10 points being considered to be clinically significant.

RESULTS

The total mean age was 59.1 ± 9.5y, and 82.5% were male. The oral cavity and larynx were more frequent tumors. The functional score for 'role' was decreased at time points T1 and T2 as compared to T0, while an improvement in scores was observed for cognitive function. Several physical symptoms also worsened over time, such as: fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth and sticky saliva, swallowing and skin symptoms, senses and teeth problems. A high frequency of altered and clinically meaningful values were observed for most of domains, ranging from 6 to 74%.

CONCLUSIONS

The QoL became worse at approximately one month after treatment beginning in HNC patients, and this remained until the end of therapy. Protocols directing to early nutritional counseling and management of symptoms of nutritional impact are important to improve clinical outcomes. This is part of preventive actions aiming to make the exhausting treatment process less traumatic and easier to complete.

Symptom screening for constipation in oncology: getting to the bottom of the matter

PURPOSE

This study seeks to determine whether specific screening for constipation will increase the frequency of clinician response within the context of an established symptom screening program.

METHODS

A "constipation" item was added to routine Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) screening in gynecologic oncology clinics during a 7-week trial period, without additional constipation-specific training. Chart audits were then conducted to determine documentation of assessment and intervention for constipation in three groups of patients, those who completed (1) ESAS (n = 477), (2) ESAS-C with constipation (n = 435), and (3) no ESAS (n = 511).

RESULTS

Among patients who were screened for constipation, 17% reported moderate to severe symptoms. Greater constipation severity increased the likelihood of documented assessment (Z = 2.37, p = .018) and intervention (Z = 1.99, p = .048). Overall rates of documented assessment were 36%, with the highest assessment rate in the no ESAS group (χ² = 9.505, p = .006), a group with the highest proportion of late-stage disease. No difference in the rate of assessment was found between the ESAS and ESAS-C groups. Overall rates for documentation of intervention were low, and did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific screening for constipation within an established screening program did not increase the documentation rate for constipation assessment or intervention. The inclusion of specific symptoms in multi-symptom screening initiatives should be carefully evaluated in terms of added value versus patient burden. Care pathways should include guidance on triaging results from multi-symptom screening, and clinicians should pay particular attention to patients who are missed from screening altogether, as they may be the most symptomatic group.

Impact of Clinical Pharmacy Services on KAP and QOL in Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience

This study was to evaluate the efficacy of pharmaceutical intervention (PI) on chemotherapy knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. A prospective, randomized, controlled study was carried out at Oncology Ward in a tertiary hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University, China. Eligible patient was randomly assigned to pharmaceutical intervention (PI) group or control group. Each patient in PI group was given information booklets and was given 30 min face-to-face medication education and psychological counseling by clinical pharmacists, 2 sessions per week for 2 months. Patients in control group only received conventional treatment. All participants were asked to complete a structured Chemotherapy KAP Questionnaire and QOL Questionnaire at pre- and poststudy time. A total of 149 cancer patients (77 in PI group and 72 in control group) completed the study. The baseline scores of KAP and QOL in 2 groups were similar. At the end of study, only knowledge score was significantly increased; meanwhile no difference existed for attitude, practice, and QOL scores in control group; both KAP scores and QOL score were significantly increased in PI group. As for the between-group comparison, both KAP scores and QOL score in PI group were significantly higher than those in control group. In conclusion, pharmaceutical intervention has a positive role in increasing chemotherapy-related knowledge, improving patients' positive emotions, dealing with chemotherapy adverse reactions, and improving the quality of life of patients.

Relationship between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and constipation in cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

To assess the potential association between serotonin transporter gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and the cancer-related constipation phenotype.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 120 patients diagnosed with malignant solid tumors were subjected to genotyping. For the two groups - patients with constipation and constipation-free patients with non-gastrointestinal cancer, 60 cases in each group - we collected the peripheral venous blood. We extracted genomic DNA, and used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze the serotonin transporter (5-HT) link polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene.

RESULTS

The frequency of S/S genotype in cancer patients with constipation was 66.67% (40/60), and the frequency of the S allele was 79.17% (95/120); the frequency of S/S genotype in cancer patients without constipation was 48.33% (29/60), and the frequency of the S allele was 65.83% (79/120). There was a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of 5-HTTLPRS/S genotype and the S allele in patients with cancers probably carry an increased risk of constipation. However, its role as a cause of cancer-related constipation needs to be further investigated.

Management of opioid-induced constipation in cancer patients: focus on methylnaltrexone

Opioids are one of the most widely used therapies for the palliative treatment of cancer pain; however, despite their proven analgesic efficacy, they are associated with several adverse effects. Associated with psychological distress and multiple concomitant clinical concerns, constipation is the most commonly occurring adverse effect of chronic opioid therapy in cancer patients. Whilst prophylaxis remains the first-line management option, methylnaltrexone is a recommended treatment option for opioid-related constipation if administration of laxatives is ineffective. Due to its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, methylnaltrexone exerts a peripheral inhibition of opioid-related effects without influencing the opioid-induced central effects; as a result, the analgesic effect of opioids is unaffected. Moreover, multiple clinical trials, albeit not always conducted specifically in cancer patients, have demonstrated that up to 4 months' treatment with either intravenous or subcutaneous methylnaltrexone provides effective relief from opioid-related constipation and is well tolerated. Preliminary evidence indicates that the addition of methylnaltrexone to standard care for opioid-related constipation may also be advantageous from a pharmacoeconomic perspective. In addition, preliminary data suggest that methylnaltrexone could be associated with some further clinical benefits other than the treatment of opioid-related constipation, such as the improvement of gastric emptying, the relief of nausea/vomiting, and the reduction of the risk of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration. This narrative review examines the most recent evidence and evaluates the current role of methylnaltrexone in the management of opioid-related constipation, and its potential efficacy in cancer patients. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and tolerability of methylnaltrexone are discussed.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients with advanced disease: new methodologies, insights, and a proposed approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent developments in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by cancer patients and provides a framework for education, assessment and monitoring, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although many viable treatment options exist, gastrointestinal symptoms - particularly nausea and vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea - continue to challenge both patients and clinicians. Current clinical guidelines now recommend that patients treated with moderate emetic risk chemotherapy regimens be preferentially treated with the 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist, palonosetron, in combination with dexamethasone. A large randomized trial has also recently validated that single-dose fosaprepitant is equivalent to the standard 3-day, aprepitant regimen. New medications, such as skin patch delivery of granisetron for nausea or methylnaltrexone for constipation, show promise in both the management of symptoms and as preventive agents. The integration of complementary and alternative therapies, such as relaxation techniques, ginger, and electroacupuncture may also assist with symptom relief. Accurate assessment is essential, but often problematic, especially as the patient's experience of gastrointestinal distress is often disproportionate with objective measures. New methodologies that harness technology to collect patient-reported outcomes may improve the accuracy of assessment, provide a better picture of the patient's experience of gastrointestinal symptoms, and deliver a means to simultaneously monitor symptoms, educate patients, and collect longitudinal data.

SUMMARY

Palliative management of gastrointestinal symptoms in advanced cancer patients requires a multipronged approach that entails effective assessment, judicious use of latest evidence-based approaches, and monitoring that incorporates both clinical measures and patient-reported outcomes. When combined with refinements in the overall clinical approach to symptom management, standardized instruments that streamline data collection and enable data warehousing will support better symptom management.

Characterization of abdominal pain during methylnaltrexone treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness: a post hoc analysis of two clinical trials

CONTEXT

Methylnaltrexone is a selective peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that decreases the constipating effects of opioids without affecting centrally mediated analgesia. In two double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III studies of methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness, abdominal pain was the most common adverse event (AE) reported.

OBJECTIVES

This analysis sought to further characterize the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities-defined abdominal pain AEs experienced in these studies.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis of verbatim descriptions was used to further assess AEs characterized as abdominal pain in both trials. Descriptive summary statistics were used to assess severity of abdominal pain, effect of abdominal pain on global pain scores, and other characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of baseline characteristics with abdominal pain.

RESULTS

Most verbatim descriptions of abdominal pain referred to "abdominal cramps" or "cramping." Abdominal pain AEs were mostly mild to moderate in severity and did not affect patients' global evaluation of pain. The incidence of abdominal pain AEs in methylnaltrexone-treated patients was greatest after the first dose and decreased with subsequent doses. No association between abdominal pain AEs and most baseline patient characteristics was noted.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal pain AEs in methylnaltrexone-treated patients in clinical trials are usually described as "cramps" or "cramping," are mostly mild to moderate in severity, and decrease in incidence with subsequent dosing.

Thyroid dysfunction from antineoplastic agents

Unlike cytotoxic agents that indiscriminately affect rapidly dividing cells, newer antineoplastic agents such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies are associated with thyroid dysfunction. These include tyrosine kinase inhibitors, bexarotene, radioiodine-based cancer therapies, denileukin diftitox, alemtuzumab, interferon-α, interleukin-2, ipilimumab, tremelimumab, thalidomide, and lenalidomide. Primary hypothyroidism is the most common side effect, although thyrotoxicosis and effects on thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion and thyroid hormone metabolism have also been described. Most agents cause thyroid dysfunction in 20%-50% of patients, although some have even higher rates. Despite this, physicians may overlook drug-induced thyroid dysfunction because of the complexity of the clinical picture in the cancer patient. Symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weakness, depression, memory loss, cold intolerance, and cardiovascular effects, may be incorrectly attributed to the primary disease or to the antineoplastic agent. Underdiagnosis of thyroid dysfunction can have important consequences for cancer patient management. At a minimum, the symptoms will adversely affect the patient's quality of life. Alternatively, such symptoms can lead to dose reductions of potentially life-saving therapies. Hypothyroidism can also alter the kinetics and clearance of medications, which may lead to undesirable side effects. Thyrotoxicosis can be mistaken for sepsis or a nonendocrinologic drug side effect. In some patients, thyroid disease may indicate a higher likelihood of tumor response to the agent. Both hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are easily diagnosed with inexpensive and specific tests. In many patients, particularly those with hypothyroidism, the treatment is straightforward. We therefore recommend routine testing for thyroid abnormalities in patients receiving these antineoplastic agents.

Thyroid abnormalities in patients treated with lenalidomide for hematological malignancies: results of a retrospective case review

Lenalidomide is an antiangiogenic drug associated with hypothyroidism. We describe a case-series of lenalidomide use in hematological cancers and the prevalence of thyroid abnormalities. We reviewed medical records of patients treated with lenalidomide at a single center form 2005 to 2010 and extracted demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Of 170 patients with confirmed lenalidomide use (age 64.9 ± 15 years), 148 were treated for multiple myeloma and 6% had thyroid abnormalities attributable only to lenalidomide. In patients with a previous diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction, the addition of lenalidomide therapy was associated with a higher incidence of subsequent TFTF abnormality (17%) as compared to patients with no previous diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction (6%) (P=0.0001). Many patients (44%) with pre-existing disease and a change in thyroid function before or while on lenalidomide had no further follow-up of their thyroid abnormalities, Of 20 patients who did not undergo any thyroid function testing either before starting or while on lenalidomide for a median of 9.4 months (± 6.5), 35% developed new symptoms compatible with hypothyroidism, including worsened fating, constipation or cold intolerance. Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction overlap with side effects of lenalidomide. Thyroid hormone levels are not regularly evaluated in patients on lenalidomide. While on this treatment, thyroid abnormalities can occur in patients with no previous diagnoses and in patients with pre-existing abnormalities. Because symptoms of thyroid dysfunction could be alleviated by appropriate treatment, thyroid function should be evaluated during the course of lenalidomide to improve patients quality of life.

Detailing of gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients with advanced disease: new methodologies, new insights, and a proposed approach

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent developments in the palliative management of gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by advanced cancer patients and provides a framework for detailing that encompasses education, assessment and monitoring, and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although many viable treatment options exist, gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly nausea and vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, continue to challenge both patients and clinicians. New medications, such as skin patch delivery of granisetron for nausea or methylnaltrexone for constipation, show promise of better symptom management, and are advancing alongside an increasing emphasis on prevention. The integration into care plans of complementary and alternative therapies, such as relaxation techniques and electroacupuncture, may also assist with symptom relief. Accurate assessment is essential but often problematic, especially as the patient's experience of gastrointestinal distress is often incommensurate with objective measures. New methodologies that harness technology to collect patient-reported outcomes may improve the accuracy of assessment, better capture the patient's experience of gastrointestinal symptoms, and provide a means to simultaneously monitor symptoms, educate patients, and collect longitudinal data.

SUMMARY

Palliative management of gastrointestinal symptoms in advanced cancer patients requires a multipronged approach that entails effective assessment, judicious use of latest evidence-based approaches, and monitoring that incorporates both clinical measures and patient-reported outcomes. In combination with refinements in the overall clinical approach to symptom management, the deployment of standardized instruments that streamline data collection and enable data warehousing will support better symptom management.

[Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction: a literature analysis on pathophysiology and treatment]

Bowel dysfunction is a frequent and serious side effect of opioid analgetics. In spite of its common occurrence, in the course of clinical routine, it is frequently ignored or underestimated. Authors of the analysed literature widely agree that a prophylactic and routine pharmacotherapy is necessary. For this purpose, laxatives, enemas and suppositories, prokinetic agents and opioid antagonists can be considered. Bulk-forming laxatives did not prove to be effective, since the quantity of fluid intake required for the action usually cannot be provided. Furthermore, the benefit of emollient agents is doubted. As a monotherapy they are not sufficient. By contrast, stimulant and osmotic laxatives proved to be active. Prokinetic drugs are not recommended because of their serious side effects. Effective abatement of opioid-induced obstipation by opioid antagonists has been proven in numerous studies. However, the loss of analgesia and opioid withdrawal symptoms were described as adverse effects. Development of quaternary opioid antagonists such as methylnaltrexone was allowed for mitigating these adverse effects.