- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/1051250
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Natalie Williams + 4 more
Introduction Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a rare, malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), and international guidelines recommend centralisation of care for best outcomes. The Western Australian Trophoblastic Centre (WATC) was established in 2023 aiming to provide centralised, person‐centred care coordinated by a specialist nurse within a multidisciplinary team. This project aimed to describe the patient population and evaluate lived experience and satisfaction in this new model of care. Methods An observational descriptive study utilised a review of service data to describe the profile of service users and a cross‐sectional survey to collect quantitative and qualitative evaluation data. Data underwent descriptive statistical and content analysis. Results The review determined 172 people accessed the WATC from January 2023 to April 2024. The majority were treated for a partial mole (50%) or a complete mole (38%). Sixty‐six service users responded to the survey. Descriptive analysis revealed an extremely high level of service satisfaction across all areas of care. The few reports of dissatisfaction related to awareness of psychological and external services and support for family member needs. Survey participants expressed mixed preference for face‐to‐face and telephone appointments. Within open‐ended responses, participants commonly expressed satisfaction with empathetic and supportive care delivered by the specialist nurse, information provision and having access to a contact person through the service. Suggestions for improvement were associated with practical issues, such as parking and logistical challenges in attending appointments, and communication. Conclusions Satisfaction with this centralised service model for the management of GTD was extremely high, emphasising the person‐centred approach coordinated by a specialist nurse. This evaluation validates service continuation in its current form and supports wider implementation of similar models in other centres for people accessing care for GTD management.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/1167659
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Wilfredo Alejandro González-Arriagada + 5 more
Background Head and neck cancer (HNC) represents a global health issue with significant physical, psychological, and social implications for patients. Netnography, an online research method, offers a unique opportunity to explore the experiences of HNC survivors in the digital age. This study analyzes the Instagram posts of HNC survivors to understand their lived experiences, coping mechanisms, and support networks. Materials and Methods A netnographic content analysis was conducted on Instagram posts from 29 HNC survivor users. A mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was used to identify and interpret patterns and meanings within the textual data. Results The analysis revealed 11 key themes. These individuals used their platforms to educate about HNC, sharing personal experiences to raise awareness of early detection and support newly diagnosed patients. They documented the multifaceted impact of treatment, including physical and emotional challenges such as pain, disfigurement, and loss of voice. Despite these difficulties, they emphasized the importance of social support networks, including family, friends, and healthcare providers, in their recovery process. Their posts expressed a range of emotions, from fear and anxiety to resilience and hope, reflecting the emotional struggle inherent in survivorship. They also shared experiences adapting to post‐treatment life, including the use of medical devices, managing physical limitations, and economic difficulties. They celebrated small victories and offered practical advice and emotional support to others. Conclusion HNC survivors use social media to share their experiences, provide support, and advocate for themselves and others. Their stories highlight the multifaceted challenges of cancer and the importance of resilience, social support, and adaptation in the recovery process. These findings underscore the potential of netnography to provide valuable insights into the lived experiences of HNC survivors, which can inform healthcare practices and support programs.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/6766876
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- S Alfieri + 9 more
Background Despite the strong emphasis in recent scientific literature on the pharmacological features of CAR‐T cells, patients’ quality of life (QoL) and needs, by contrast, have received little attention. Aim This study aims to investigate patients’ perspectives on their QoL and needs in a referral centre for CAR‐T cell treatment in Italy. Methods This is a descriptive, qualitative and prospective study conducted at a single centre. Patients were recruited from a list of those who underwent the treatment or who were eligible to do so. Patients were asked to participate in a semistructured interview. The number of people to be interviewed was not predetermined but was established continuously until meaning saturation was achieved. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through constructivist lenses using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Participants were 12 patients (age mean: 57.88; SD = 9.62; range = 39–70) enrolled in an Italian Comprehensive Cancer Center. From the analysis of the interviews, 7 themes were identified: (1) therapeutic journey to reach CAR‐T cell therapy; (2) CAR‐T cell images; (3) perception of the quality of care received; (4) three challenging moments; (5) emerging issues to address; (6) coping strategies and (7) needs. Some themes have been organised into subthemes that detail their specific aspects. Starting from the quotations, 41 needs have been identified and organised into 5 macro areas: (1) needs during hospitalisation; (2) existential needs; (3) needs for improving QoL; (4) need for quality and quantity of information and (5) needs for care. The list of needs has been transformed into a checklist, serving as a preliminary step for subsequent studies aimed at identifying and quantifying the needs of patients. Conclusions Results indicate that the QoL of patients undergoing CAR‐T cell therapy is impaired during hospitalisation and in the subsequent months following infusion. Physical symptoms including fatigue, drowsiness, cognitive slowing or dysfunction emerged. Nonetheless, patients employ various coping strategies to cope with these challenging periods. A multitude of needs, often unaddressed, has emerged. For this matter, a first draft for a checklist of needs has been realised. Should future studies validate its structure, this tool may prove beneficial in both clinical and research settings to identify and monitor patients’ needs throughout the continuum of their treatment pathway.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/3087696
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Tugba Albayram + 2 more
Postoperative pain following breast cancer surgery remains a significant clinical challenge and may negatively affect recovery and quality of life if inadequately managed. In recent years, nonpharmacological nursing interventions have gained increasing attention as adjuncts to pharmacological pain control. This narrative review aimed to summarize the available evidence regarding the short‐term effects of hand massage on postoperative pain among women undergoing breast cancer surgery. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify studies published between July 2024 and June 2025. Clinical and experimental studies evaluating the effect of hand massage on postoperative pain intensity, anxiety, or analgesic use were considered eligible. Due to the limited availability of recent evidence, one earlier highly relevant controlled study was also included to contextualize the current findings. In total, three studies (one randomized controlled trial and two quasi‐experimental studies) met the inclusion criteria. Across the included studies, hand massage was associated with short‐term reductions in pain intensity and anxiety during the early postoperative period. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed in massage protocols, study designs, and outcome measures. Small sample sizes and methodological limitations further restrict the strength and generalizability of the evidence. In conclusion, hand massage may be considered an exploratory supportive adjunctive nursing intervention for postoperative pain management after breast cancer surgery. However, the current evidence base remains limited, heterogeneous, and methodologically constrained, requiring cautious interpretation before any clinical recommendations can be made.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/9403921
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Agata Gierlotka + 3 more
Objective This review aims to identify and evaluate the management options for the extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type of head and neck in the pediatric population. Methods The study was conducted based on a comprehensive literature review from 2009 to 2025. The following keywords were used: extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma and children and head and neck. Results The clinical data, including sex, age, symptoms, localization at presentation, correlation with EBV infection, treatment, and its outcome, were analyzed. A total of 64 patients were evaluated. Among these cases, the nasal site was the most involved region. Positive results for EBV infection were present in 100% of patients. The mortality rate in this study was 25%. Conclusions This systematic review highlights a clear male predominance, a pronounced geographic concentration of cases in East Asia, and underscores the diagnostic importance of EBV positivity in the diagnosis of ENKTL. In the case of the chronic course of destructive processes in aerodigestive organs with no improvement after standard treatment, NK‐cell lymphomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Multimodal treatment strategies, particularly asparaginase‐based chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy, are associated with improved outcomes, although disease‐related mortality remains substantial. Given the limited number of pediatric cases and the heterogeneity of available data, further prospective, multicenter studies with standardized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are essential to optimize management and improve long‐term survival.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/9852005
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Likius T Hailaula + 1 more
Background Breast and cervical cancers are the most prevalent cancers among women in Namibia, with a prevalence of 28.9% and 18.3%, respectively, in 2020. However, the knowledge and attitudes of Namibian women toward breast and cervical cancers are not documented, as this is essential for early detection and improved treatment outcomes. Aim This study explored the knowledge and attitudes regarding these cancers among women aged 18 and above in Windhoek, Khomas Region. Methods A mixed‐methods cross‐sectional random sampling study was conducted from November 2024 to March 2025 across all eight constituencies of Windhoek. A questionnaire was used to document demographic information, knowledge, and awareness of breast and cervical cancer, cancer screening habits, and barriers to screening. Multivariable logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results A total of 232 females participated in the study, of which 93.5% and 95.3% reported having heard of breast and cervical cancer, respectively. Among those who were aware, 35.3% underwent breast cancer screening, while 34.5% had been screened for cervical cancer. Knowledge regarding the causes, symptoms, and prevention of both cancers was moderate to high. Education level was a significant predictor of awareness and screening behavior. Women with tertiary education (73.7%) were four times more likely to have heard of breast cancer (OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 2.8–5.7; p < 0.001) and twice as likely to have heard of cervical cancer (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5–2.7; p < 0.001). Conclusion Public awareness campaigns regarding early screening are crucial to improve awareness and knowledge regarding breast and cervical cancers among Namibian women.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/9329789
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Mehmet Ali Tüz + 5 more
Recent studies have pointed out that CRP and NLR levels are important in determining the prognosis for cancer and diagnosis of infection, but there are few studies on cut‐off levels in patients with solid tumours. In this study, the relationship between CRP cut‐off levels with infection and NLR with infection has investigated in adult solid organ cancer patients receiving inpatient treatment. Patients with solid cancer hospitalised in ZBEU Oncology and Infectious Diseases between 2013 and 2018 were included to study retrospectively. Patients were separated into 2 groups: 240 patients with clinical and radiological or microbiological evidence of infection as group 1 and 240 patients with no signs of infection as group 2. Both groups were subdivided into patients with metastatic cancer and nonmetastatic cancer. The mean CRP at admission and 24th hour in the group 1 (170.0 and 157.5 mg/L, respectively) were found to be statistically higher than group 2 (51.0 and 47.5 mg/L, respectively) ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). The best cut‐off value of CRP at admission was found to be 108 mg/L with %72.08 sensitivity, %75.42 specificity ( p < 0.001) and 88 mg/L 24th hour CRP ( p < 0.001). Mean values of NLR on admission and 24th hour were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). The best NLR cut‐off value was found to be 7.823 at admission ( p < 0.001) and 8.4 at 24th hours ( p < 0.001). Although both tests are used to detect infection in patients with solid cancer, it is important to know that the cut‐off values are high. In patients with solid cancer who do not have clinical signs of infection, unnecessary antibiotherapy should not be performed because of high CRP or NLR.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/6430579
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Yufang Wang + 3 more
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent forms of cancer and is a significant contributor to cancer‐related mortality globally. Platelets play a crucial role in tumor biology by interacting with various immune cells, influencing multiple biological processes. Methods We utilized datasets from TCGA, GSE17536, GSE39582, and GSE103479 to develop a platelet‐related gene signature (PRS) using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. The effectiveness of PRS in predicting responses to immunotherapy was assessed using three immunotherapy datasets (GSE91061, GSE78220, and IMvigor210) and several predictive scores. Results The PRS demonstrated robust performance in forecasting the survival outcomes of CRC patients. In the TCGA cohort, the areas under the ROC curves for 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival were 0.845, 0.849, and 0.785, respectively. Further analysis identified PRS as an independent risk factor for CRC patients. A nomogram was constructed to predict clinical outcomes for CRC patients. Additionally, a lower PRS score was associated with higher TMB scores, elevated PD1 and CTLA4 immunopheno scores, reduced TIDE and immune escape scores, higher response rates, and more favorable clinical outcomes, suggesting better immunotherapy responses. Conversely, lower PRS scores correlated with increased IC 50 values for certain drugs used in chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Patients in the high‐risk group exhibited elevated gene set scores related to cancer hallmarks such as Notch signaling, hypoxia, and glycolysis. Conclusion Our study established a PRS for CRC that serves as a valuable tool for predicting prognosis, stratifying risk, and guiding treatment decisions for CRC patients.
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/7802902
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Niloufar Baghelani + 3 more
Objective To compare the effectiveness of Internet‐based acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) and bibliotherapy‐based ACT (bACT) in reducing anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer. Methods In this three‐arm randomized controlled trial, 99 participants were recruited from three oncology centers in Iran and randomly assigned to iACT, bACT, or a control group ( n = 33 each). Interventions lasted 6 weeks with a 4‐week follow‐up. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory‐Short Form were used to assess outcomes at baseline, post‐intervention, and follow‐up. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results The iACT group showed significantly greater reduction in depression and anxiety than the control group at post‐intervention and follow‐up (all p < 0.001, except for post‐intervention anxiety in iACT group was p = 0.001). The bACT group showed delayed but significant improvement in anxiety at follow‐up ( p > 0.001), but not in depression. Between‐group comparisons revealed superior outcomes for iACT over bACT in both anxiety and depression post‐intervention, though the difference in anxiety diminished by follow‐up. Conclusions Internet‐based ACT was more effective than bACT or standard care in reducing anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients. These results support the broader use of guided Internet‐based ACT interventions in oncology settings. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT20231209060301N1
- Research Article
- 10.1155/ecc/8841407
- Jan 1, 2026
- European Journal of Cancer Care
- Ambre Naeyaert + 8 more
Purpose As medical demography evolves, with patients living longer, cancer mortality declining, and quality of life gaining importance over survival, eHealth tools such as mobile apps and websites have emerged to support psychosocial care in addition to addressing medical needs. Yet, implementing these tools in cancer care remains complex, affected by multilevel factors ranging from intrinsic motivation and digital literacy (micro) to institutional culture, funding, and health policy (macro). A key limitation may be that many digital tools are not codeveloped between researchers and clinicians, leading to poor transferability. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the implementation of digital supportive care tools for patients with cancer and their relatives. Method A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured interviews held via videoconferencing with healthcare professionals practicing in oncology. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Results Forty‐three healthcare professionals participated. Four main themes emerged: (1) the oncology care context (e.g., workforce shortages, digital healthcare evolution, and geographic disparities); (2) perceived benefits of eHealth tools for patients, caregivers, and providers; (3) desired features and content of such tools (e.g., reliable information, interactive exercises, and symptom tracking); and (4) barriers and facilitators to implementation, including intrinsic motivation, digital access, and institutional support. Conclusions Healthcare professionals recognize the potential of eHealth tools to support patients with cancer and their relatives. However, effective implementation requires early involvement of end users and context‐specific strategies to ensure these tools are truly integrated into cancer care pathways.