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The NANETS consensus guideline for the diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine tumors: Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of the jejunum, ileum, appendix, and cecum. Even more interesting is the fact that, the neoplasms of the appendix, consisted mainly by the neuroendocrine tumors (approximately 50% of all appendiceal tumors), are not believed to be completely "innocent entities", since 30-50% present with lymph node (LN) invasion, whereas distant metastases can be found in almost 10% of cases [[4]]. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Cancer patients frequently suffer from weight loss and systemic inflammation in the context of advanced disease, which is related to adverse outcome. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is an anabolic molecule implicated in the maintenance of muscle mass and cancer growth. We investigated potential correlations of IGF-I with an inflammatory and weight loss status and with clinical outcome. Methods: Baseline IGF-I plasma levels were measured in 77 patients (66 males, median age 65.5 ± 10.6 years), diagnosed with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, and were correlated with serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, weight loss history, treatment response and overall survival. Results: IGF-I correlated with age (p = 0.01), histologic subtype (p = 0.019), albumin (p < 0.001) and CRP (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, gender (p = 0.005), smoking status (p = 0.012), albumin (p = 0.034) and IGF-I (p = 0.017) were related to time to progression, while IGF-I (p = 0.003), gender (p = 0.049) and smoking status (p = 0.003) retained their significance in multivariate analysis. Age (p = 0.005), gender (p = 0.029), weight loss (p = 0.009), performance status (p < 0.001), number of metastatic sites (p = 0.004), albumin (p = 0.008), CRP (p = 0.022) and IGF-I (p = 0.042) were associated with overall survival, although only gender (p = 0.013), weight loss (p = 0.027), performance status (p = 0.015) and number of metastatic sites (p = 0.021) emerged as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: IGF-I correlates with systemic inflammation and seems to play an independent predictive role in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conflicting results exist concerning disease knowledge and patients' quality of life (QOL) while there is very limited information concerning the impact of awareness on caregivers' health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of disease awareness on both cancer patients and their caregivers during the period of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and twelve cancer patient-caregiver dyads completed the QOL SF-36 instrument on the day of chemotherapy. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Results: Physical component parameters were significantly higher in the family members ( p<0.001), while their mental component was lower than cancer patients. Younger patients, females, and of higher educational status were more frequently aware of their disease status while patients with gastrointestinal cancer were more likely to be unaware. Disease knowledge seems to exert a negative influence on patients' physical and mental parameters while lack of awareness affects adversely caregivers' vitality, social function, emotional role, and mental health. Multiple regression analysis confirmed disease awareness affected reversely patients' and caregivers' mental QOL while the counter-influence of the dyad was revealed. Conclusions: A holistic approach to cancer management should be followed. Patient's treatment is the major medical concern, but health system and professionals should be involved in the mental and physical support of caregivers as well. Tailored interventions that focus on the support of the dyad patient-caregiver should be developed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]