Esophageal cancer

1. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2011 Jun;15(3):327-9. Esophageal cancer and palliation of dysphagia. Massey S. Source School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. scmassey@email.unc.edu Abstract Progressive dysphagia is the most common presenting symptom of esophageal cancer but also may occur as a side effect of treatment. Evaluation of patients' dysphagia includes determining its cause and assessing the severity. Several palliative options are available for dysphagia; the clinical situation, local expertise, and cost effectiveness help determine the appropriate treatment modality. PMID:21624869 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 2. Nurs Stand. 2011 Apr 13-19;25(32):50-6; quiz 58. Oesophageal cancer: symptoms, treatment and nursing role. Moxon R. Source Berkshire Cancer Centre, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading. Abstract This article examines the symptoms and treatment of oesophageal cancer. The article focuses on the nurse's role in postoperative care of oesophagectomy patients. Alternative treatments available when surgery is not an option are also identified. 3. Cant access full text!! Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2011 Sep;15(4):296-301. Epub 2010 Dec 10. Living with incurable oesophageal cancer. A phenomenological hermeneutical interpretation of patient stories. Missel M, Birkelund R. Source The University Hospital of Copenhagen, Kbenhavn , Denmark. malenesv@hotmail.com Abstract PURPOSE: The study explores how patients diagnosed with incurable oesophageal cancer experience living with the illness, and provides insight into and an understanding of the patients' situation, reality and phenomena in their life world. METHOD: The method takes a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, inspired by the French philosopher Paul Ricoeur's narrative theory on mimesis as the structure and process of the method, and Ricoeur's theory of interpretation for the analysis of patient stories. The stories materialise from narrative interviews, and the phenomena of the patients' life world results in an analysis of these stories. RESULTS: Through the analysis of the narrative interviews, phenomena of the patients' life world appear which are described in themes such as debut of the illness, denial, the person's own suspicion, existential turning point, despair, hope, the body, affirmation of irrevocable illness, acknowledgement of dying, life phenomena, relations and feeling of independence. The understanding of the patients' experiences is augmented and improved through a discussion of the themes in a philosophical perspective, drawing upon theoretical and philosophical viewpoints of Kierkegaard, Lgstrup, Merleau-Ponty, Ricoeur, Benner & Wrubel, and on empirical research. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the phenomena in the ill person's life world brought about by analysis, it seems that incurably ill oesophageal cancer patients find themselves in a complex life situation, in which they need more than an objective estimate and fulfilment of need from hospital service. Our study illustrates some perspectives on the life situation of the incurably ill, which will contribute to the improved development of supportive care in nursing. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. PMID:21111678 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. In Chinese! Hu Li Za Zhi. 2010 Apr;57(2 Suppl):S3-8. [Applying hospice care concepts on a patient with terminal stage esophageal carcinoma: a nurse's experience]. [Article in Chinese] Hsu HK, Lin MC. Source Department of General Surgery Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Abstract This report describes a nursing care experience with a patient diagnosed with terminal stage esophageal carcinoma. Nursing care was administered from November 8th to 30th, 2007. Patient data was collected and evaluated using direct caring, observation, medical reports and patient interviews covering the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual realms. Patient health problems included pain, ineffective airway clearance, anticipatory grieving and spiritual distress. In line with hospice care concepts, the author employed empathy, companionship, listening, and support to assist the patient to overcome fear and face death. Comfort care and pain control skills were also used to relieve the patient's physical suffering. As such, the author assisted patient to achieve the essence of "good death", i.e., peace of achieved in the physical, psychological, social and spiritual realms. PMID: 20405393 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 5. Medsurg Nurs. 2010 Mar-Apr;19(2):96-100. Lived experiences of eating after esophagectomy: a phenomenological study. Jaromahum J, Fowler S. Source Morristown Memorial Hospital, USA. Abstract BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy is the most common treatment for esophageal cancer (Pierie, Goedegebuure, Schuerman, & Leguit, 2000). Dysphagia is the most common symptom, after esophagectomy (Easterling et al., 2000; Ludwig, Thirlby, & Low, 2001; Pierie et al., 2000; Verschuur et al., 2006). The aim of this study was to describe patients' experiences of eating after esophagectomy. METHOD: A phenomenology approach was used to describe and understand eating experiences after esophagectomy. FINDINGS: Three major categories of experiences were extrapolated from informant verbal reports: physical, psychosocial, and psychological. Within these categories main themes were identified and included gastrointestinal feelings, fear of going home, and positive feelings toward eating. CONCLUSION: Most patients may not be able to eat exactly as they did prior to their operation (Ludwig et al., 2001). Findings from this study illustrate patients should be provided with a diet they perceive as socially acceptable with minimal eating discomforts. Comment in Medsurg Nurs. 2010 Mar-Apr;19(2):127-8. PMID: 20476519 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 6. Crit Care Nurse. 2011 Aug;31(4):69-86. Road map to esophagectomy for nurses. Logue B, Griffin S. Source Barnes Jewish Hospital, St Louis, MO, USA. Abstract Esophageal cancer, although considered uncommon in the United States, continues to exhibit increased incidence. Esophageal cancer now ranks seventh among cancers in mortality for men in the United States. Even as treatment continues to advance, the mortality rate remains high, with a 5-year survival rate less than 35%. Esophageal cancer typically is discovered in advanced stages, which reduces the treatment options. When disease is locally advanced, esophagectomy remains the standard for treatment. Surgery remains challenging and complicated. Multiple surgical approaches are available, with the choice determined by tumor location and stage of disease. Recovery is often fraught with complications-both physical and emotional. Nursing care revolves around complex care managing multiple body systems and providing effective education and emotional support for both patients and patients' families. Even after recovery, local recurrence and distant metastases are common. Early diagnosis, surgical advancement, and improvements in postoperative care continue to improve outcomes. PMID: 21807685 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]