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Biomedical subjects

R A Strohl

Publications and source records attributed to R A Strohl.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Sleep alterations in cancer patients.

This multi-institutional sleep study involved two phases aimed at investigating sleep alterations in patients with any stage of breast and lung cancer. The first phase of this study used an 82-item, 20-minute telephone survey to elicit information regarding the impact of sleep disturbances on a convenience sample of 150 patients. Of these patients, 44% reported a sleep problem during the month before the interview. Significant relations included these: report of sleep problems prediagnosis over the past month (x = 5.82; p = 0.02), duration of sleep medication use and frequency of sleep problem (r = 0.58; p = 0.05), age and severity of sleep problems (r = 0.38; p = 0.05), and frequency and severity of the sleep problem over the past month (r = 0.21; p < 0.10). Communication with health care providers occurred in 16.6% of patients reporting a sleep disturbance. The second phase of this study explored the type, frequency, and severity of sleep problems and perceptions of causation, support, and methods of coping with the sleep problem. A qualitative approach to the problem was used in this phase. A one-time telephone interview of 42 patients, derived from a convenience sample, revealed a 45% prevalence of sleep problems a month before the interview. A qualitative analysis of the responses suggested that sleep problems are related to experiences of other symptoms and perceptions of cancer and treatment. Content analysis of the responses identified the following categories: figuring out the reason, seeking help, seeking support and relation to the overall cancer experience.

Baltimore↗
PubMed1998

Radiation therapy in tumors of the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVES: To review the role of radiation therapy in the management of primary tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). DATA SOURCES: Book chapters, review articles, and research studies. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation therapy plays an important role in the management of primary and metastatic tumors of the CNS. Radiation and surgery are combined with curative intent for low-grade tumors. Cranial radiation may be used to prevent brain metastases, and palliative radiation may be used to alleviate symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Helping patients with tumors of the CNS and their family members understand the anticipated side effects of the disease and the therapeutic goals of radiation therapy may help to alleviate anxiety and maintain an optimal quality of life during therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cutaneous manifestations of malignant disease.

The focus of this article is to discuss cutaneous manifestations of systemic malignant disease. Primary skin cancers will not be presented. While metastasis to the skin is a rare event, it is important for dermatology nurses to recognize that it can occur.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1995

The etiology and management of acute and late sequelae of radiation therapy in persons with head and neck cancers.

Radiation therapy is an important primary modality in the treatment of cancers of the head and neck. Persons with advanced cancers often receive combined-modality treatment with concomitant radiation and chemotherapy. The sequelae of radiation alone and that of combined therapies create an extremely vulnerable individual. The nurse caring for the person receiving cancer treatment must understand the effect of radiation on normal tissues of the head and neck region and the methods designed to ameliorate the sequelae of therapy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

The role of total skin electron beam radiation therapy in the management of mycosis fungoides.

Total skin electron therapy is a complex method of delivering superficial radiation therapy to the entire skin surface. It is an effective means of treating cutaneous malignancies which involve large surface areas of the skin. Mycosis fungoides is the most common malignancy treated in this manner. Understanding the rational and technique of total skin electron beam therapy, the characteristics of mycosis fungoides, and nursing interventions for related patient problems will enable dermatology nurses to better educate patients afflicted with MF who may be undergoing or considering radiation therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Radiation therapy in the management of skin cancers.

Radiation therapy plays a major role in the management of skin cancers. This article presents an overview of nonmelanoma skin cancer. A brief explanation of the mechanisms of action of radiation is provided. Side effects and related nursing management are discussed.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗
PubMed1990

External beam radiation therapy in gynecologic cancers.

External beam radiation therapy is an effective treatment for selected gynecological cancers, as the primary treatment or in combination with surgery and/or internal radiation therapy. This article reviews the mechanism of action of radiation in cancer treatment, uses of external beam therapy for gynecological cancers, symptom management for commonly reported symptoms, and nursing responsibilities for patient education and preparation for treatment.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Radiation therapy. Recent advances and nursing implications.

Radiation therapy is one of the oldest treatments available for cancer management. Since the discovery of x-rays and radioactivity in the 1890s, patients have been treated with radiation. Advances in equipment and in the understanding of radiobiology permit delivery of effective doses of radiation to tumors while minimizing normal tissue damage. Recent advances in radiation have expanded the scope of treatment. Large-field, large-dose radiation, such as half-body treatment, permits treatment of metastatic disease in an effective and well-tolerated manner in patients too ill to travel for therapy. Total skin electron therapy has been successful in managing extensive skin disease. Hyperfractionated treatment is an experimental approach that attempts to achieve better tumor control by treating with two fractions per day. Intraoperative radiation is a conceptually sound but logistically cumbersome plan in which treatment is given in a single fraction at the time of surgery. Its full potential may be realized when the technical difficulties of administration can be overcome. Brachytherapy is the use of radioactive sources implanted directly into the tumor or in a cavity in proximity to the tumor. Techniques have improved in both surgery and radiation, which allow previously inaccessible sites such as the brain to be implanted. Early-stage breast cancer has been effectively managed with lumpectomy followed by radiation. Hyperthermia is the use of heat in conjunction with radiation. Heat has been found to enhance the effect of radiation and limit the repair of radiation damage. The properties of heat cause it to be more damaging to tumor cells than to normal ones. The ability to sensitize cancer cells to radiation and protect normal cells from radiation has been an ongoing research objective. Clinical trials are in progress to isolate effective, easily administered, and nontoxic compounds. The nurse caring for the patient receiving radiation must have an understanding of how radiation works and what the treatment goals are for the patient. Radiation is a difficult modality for patients to understand. Many fears and concerns are based on this lack of comprehension. The nurse must be prepared to describe the experience of receiving radiation and assist patients to anticipate and manage side effects. Patients need to know what to expect from therapy in terms they can understand. Recent advances and experimental treatments should be explained in terms of what is known including the rationale for the procedures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗
PubMed1986

A prospective randomized trial comparing once-a-week vs daily radiation therapy for locally-advanced, non-metastatic, lung cancer: a preliminary report.

This is the first report of an on-going Phase III protocol for patients with locally-advanced, non-metastatic, measurable lung cancer. The study randomizes two arms: 6000 rad using 500 rad fractions once a week (1 X W) for 12 weeks with spinal cord (SC) protection at 3000 rad; and 6000 rad using 200 rad fractions daily (5 X W) for 6 weeks with SC protection at 4500 rad. Both arms use an initially large loco-regional field that is further reduced when tumor doses reach 3000 rad in (1 X W) arm and 5000 rad in (5 X W) arm. The protocol was activated April 1982; as of August 1984, it had accrued 100 patients of whom 68 were evaluable [29 (1 X W) and 39 (5 X W)]. There have been no major differences in tumor responses or failure patterns between the (1 X W) and (5 X W) arms; response rates have been 69 and 64%; CR 31 and 20%; total incidence of local failures 20 and 23%; and overall incidence of distant failures 34 and 43%, respectively. The (1 X W) arm has been far better tolerated with 76% of its patients free of any esophagitis and 97% without weight loss, as compared to only 33 and 67% in the (5 X W), respectively. The (1 X W) arm has not conveyed loss in tumor control effectiveness, in-treatment progression, or higher incidence of distant spread. Subacute and chronic complications have been minimal with either treatment. No fatal or life-threatening toxicities have occurred; the incidence of severe complications has been 7% in the (1 X W) arm and 8% in the (5 X W) arm. Nevertheless, the number of patients alive and at risk greater than or equal to 12 months is still relatively small; definitive statements regarding very late toxic reactions cannot yet be made. Compared to their protocyptes [a (1 X W) Pilot Study and the 6000 rad/6 weeks arm of RTOG Protocol 73-01], results in the present protocol arms have not been different from what was expected. Once a week RT yields results that appear no different from those achieved with conventional RT in lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

To my grandfather.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The elderly patient receiving radiation therapy: treatment sequelae and nursing care.

Preparing the elderly patient for radiation therapy requires knowledge of the major cancers, the role of radiation treatment, sequelae of treatment, and the age-associated factors that exacerbate treatment reactions. Elderly patients often require long treatment courses. Encouragement to express feelings and report symptoms may be necessary in this patient population. Instructions should be written and repeated, especially for patients with memory loss. The nurse caring for the elderly patient receiving radiation must help the patient to anticipate side effects and manage sequelae of treatment. The patient who knows what to expect is better able to tolerate therapy and to maintain an optimal quality of life during treatment.

Aged↗