Oncological Illness Research Articles

Protective Factors Associated With the Loss of a Child due to Oncological Illness: Systematic Review.

This systematic review explores factors influencing resilience and post-traumatic growth in parents who have lost a child under 25 to cancer. While such parents are vulnerable to complicated grief, not all experience it. Eight qualitative and mixed studies from ProQuest, Science Direct, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were included. They highlight the importance of support and communication with palliative care teams and other grieving families. Understanding the ambivalence experienced during the process is crucial. The review underscores the limited research in this area and offers direction for future studies. Psychological interventions could aid these parents in adapting to their new reality.

The role of the mental health nurse in pediatric hematology-oncology - Part 1: Developing an innovative practice.

Pediatric hematological and oncological illnesses present many coping challenges. Mental health issues can arise during and after treatment, in both patients and their families. The current model of care does not always seem to meet the needs identified by some young patients. In Quebec, nurses are allowed to assess and care for patients experiencing physical and mental health difficulties (Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec, 2016). Therefore, a mental health nurse clinician (MHNC) with experience in pediatric hematology/oncology could provide care that is complementary to that offered by psychologists, social workers, and other psychosocial professionals in the pediatric hematology/oncology unit in order to meet any needs that remain unmet. The MHNC project has three stages: (1) role development, (2) role implementation, and (3) role assessment one year after implementation. In this first article, we explain how the MHNC role was developed. We used the participatory, evidence-based, patient-focused process for advanced practice nursing (APN) role development, implementation, and evaluation (PEPPA Framework; Bryant-Lukosius & Dicenso, 2004) to develop this model. The first five steps in the PEPPA Framework were applied in the creation of the MHNC role to (1) select the target population, (2) identify the stakeholders to be involved, (3) ascertain needs, (4) determine and prioritize problems and set goals, and (5) define a new model of care. After multiple meetings involving numerous health professionals and managers, the MHNC role was developed with a versatile, transdisciplinary perspective to address better the needs of young cancer patients (especially those in their teens) and their families. The role was developed around four main areas of practice: (1) interventions offered to patient-family, (2) interventions offered to health professionals, (3) psychiatric consultation-liaison, and (4) education and research. The next steps are to use a strategic plan to implement the role and then to evaluate the impact of the role one year after implementation.

Self-Esteem and Coping Strategies in Adolescent Cancer Patients during the Period of Illness and Follow-Up.

The importance of self-esteem during the course of oncological illness has been well-documented by some previous studies. However, data assessing its association with various coping strategies, especially considering the period of illness, are still scarce. The objective of this study is to analyze the differences in coping strategies among oncological adolescents, taking into account their self-esteem, illness period, age, and sex. A total of 201 oncological patients between the ages of 12 and 17 from three different Spanish cities were included in this study. All of them were asked to answer a tailored questionnaire, encompassing information about age, sex, and illness period. Additionally, the coping strategies were measured using the ACS scale, while self-esteem was evaluated using the SENA questionnaire. The results demonstrated that male adolescents and older individuals exhibited higher levels of self-esteem. The main coping strategies associated with higher self-esteem were "ignore the problem", "focus on positive", "physical recreation", and "wishful thinking" both during the treatment and the follow-up phases. We conclude that higher self-esteem is associated with some of the coping strategies such as "focus on positive", "ignore the problem", and "wishful thinking". Sociodemographic variables influence the relationship between self-esteem and coping strategies, but no differences were found regarding the period of illness.

Identifying Immunological Markers for Bowel Cancer.

The role of immunological processes in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer has received a lot of attention lately and has been extensively researched. Immune processes are significantly regulated by cytokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMP). Numerous studies have demonstrated the significance of cytokines in the prognosis and surveillance of malignant oncological illnesses. In group II, the blood serum concentration of Calprotectin was found to be greater in 13 patients (92.0 %) and lower in 1 patient (8.0 %) compared to control limits (χ = 24.27, p < 0.001). The obtained results show that, in comparison to the control group, the concentration of Calprotectin rises statistically consistently by 3.5 times, with a coefficient of integrity of p < 0.001. According to the data, there is a statistically significant rise in Calprotectin concentration (3.5 times higher than in the control group) with a p-value of less than 0.001. The average mathematical density of this indicator is 3.42 ± 0.48 pg/ml, the minimum density is 0.7 pg/ml, and the maximum thickness is 6.1 pg/ml.

ENVELHECIMENTO E CÂNCER: O processo de adoecimento oncológico em idosos

ENVELHECIMENTO E CÂNCER: O processo de adoecimento oncológico em idosos

Identifying immunological markers for bowel cancer

The role of immunological processes in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer has received a lot of attention lately and has been extensively researched. Immune processes are significantly regulated by cytokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMP). Numerous studies have demonstrated the significance of cytokines in the prognosis and surveillance of malignant oncological illnesses. In group II, the blood serum concentration of Calprotectin was found to be greater in 13 patients (92.0%) and lower in 1 patient (8.0%) compared to control limits (χ=24.27, p<0.001). The obtained results show that, in comparison to the control group, the concentration of Calprotectin rises statistically consistently by 3.5 times, with a coefficient of integrity of p<0.001. According to the data, there is a statistically significant rise in Calprotectin concentration (3.5 times higher than in the control group) with a p-value of less than 0.001. The average mathematical density of this indicator is 3.42±0.48 pg/ml, the minimum density is 0.7 pg/ml, and the maximum thickness is 6.1 pg/ml.

Navigating the challenges of neuro-oncology in Africa: addressing diagnostic and treatment barriers in the region: a correspondence

Navigating the challenges of neuro-oncology in Africa: addressing diagnostic and treatment barriers in the region: a correspondence

1177. Mind the GAPP: Global Arrivals and Pre-treated Patients screening at a children’s cancer center

Abstract Background Clinical and laboratory evaluation for infectious diseases prior to initiation of cancer-directed therapy creates opportunities for risk assessment, infection prevention and targeted treatment. The need may be greater for patients from outside the United States (US) where the epidemiology of infectious diseases may differ. We created the Global Arrivals and Pretreated Patients (GAPP) program to address this need at a referral hospital for children with cancer and blood disorders. Methods Patients accepted for treatment at our hospital are referred to GAPP for the following reasons: 1) residence in the continental US for 1 year or less, 2) travel outside the continental US within 3 months of referral 3) hospitalization outside the continental US, or 4) clinician request. GAPP evaluation includes review of history and laboratory studies, and recommendations for screening tests and management. Results Between March 21, 2019 and May 2, 2022, 35 patients were evaluated; 9 (26%) with solid or CNS tumors, 25 (71%) with hematological malignancies and 1 (3%) with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Of these, 20/35 (57%) were from Latin America, and 10/35 (29%) from Eastern Europe. Most patients (29/35 [83%]) were seen within 2 weeks of arrival to the institution. Evaluation prompted isolation precautions in 2/35 (6%) for communicable respiratory illness and in 4/35 (11%) for ESBL-producing organism on perianal screen. Additionally, 13 patients were under-immunized (mostly non-immune to hepatitis B [7/35, 20%] or varicella zoster virus [8/35, 22%]), and 9/35 (26%) had an exposure-related risk. Finally, parasitic infection prompted specific management in 4 patients; 3/35 (9%) had positive serology for Toxoplasma gondii requiring appropriate prophylaxis, and 1/35 (3%) was treated for cryptosporidiosis. Conclusion Screening new arrivals to the US prior to administration of immunosuppressive therapy is feasible and may identify risk factors for illness during therapy as well as opportunities for infection prevention, immunization, and treatment or suppression of existing infections. Providers focusing on acute hematologic or oncologic illness may otherwise miss this quality improvement opportunity in a patient group at high risk of poor infectious outcomes. Disclosures Randall Hayden, MD, Inflammatix: Advisor/Consultant|Quidel Corporation: Advisor/Consultant|Roche Diagnostics: Advisor/Consultant|T2 Diagnostics: Advisor/Consultant Gabriela Maron, MD, Astellas Inc,: Grant/Research Support|SymBio Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support Joshua Wolf, MBBS, PhD, Karius: Grant/Research Support|Merck: Participation in industry sponsored research.

How to ‘Discover the Beauty of Life’ in / against the Disease? Musicology in the Therapy for the Elderly with Oncological Illnesses

Abstract Cooperation between the Institute of Musicology of the University of Warsaw and ‘Jestem’ Foundation began in 2013. The Foundation aims to support adults (especially elderly people) with chronic or terminal illnesses. The so-called ‘hour on beauty’, the Foundation's innovation introduced as part of the schedule of activities for patients, takes the form of weekly meetings with interesting persons (journalists, actors, travellers, etc.), and in the last several years – also with students of musicology. Cooperation involves regular facultative classes at which teams of musicology students prepare educational-therapeutic projects subsequently implemented at the Foundation's seat as part of the ‘hour on beauty’. The paper presents the model of cooperation worked out over the years and examples of original projects implemented by musicology students. The diversity of topics has been discussed here along with effective methods of patient activation (such as task-oriented listening, joint singing, and improvisation using everyday objects). The Foundation's work fills a gap in the Polish health care system resulting from the National Health Fund (NFZ) only financing stationary and home-based hospices but not designating any resources for day-care hospices targeting those oncological patients who need not be permanently hospitalised. The Foundation strives to prevent their exclusion and to improve the quality of their lives as well as their well-being. The benefits of the cooperation are invaluable. There is no doubt that this project (innovative on the Polish scale) reveals a new and potentially surprising function of musicology in the contemporary world.

Impact of epilepsy and its treatment on brain metastasis from solid tumors: A retrospective study.

Retrospective observational study on medical records of patients with epilepsy related brain metastases (BM) to evaluate efficacy, safety and possible interaction with cancer treatment of different anti-seizure medications (ASMs) and the risk of seizures. We consecutively reviewed all medical records of epilepsy-related BM patients from 2010 to 2020 who were followed for at least one month at the Brain Tumour-related Epilepsy Center of the IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute Rome, Italy. We selected 111 cancer patients. Of these, only 42 had at least undergone a second neurological examination. In the whole population, 95 (85.2%) had seizures and 16 patients had no seizures (14.4%). The most frequently first ASM prescribed was LEV (40.5%). We observed a significant correlation between tumor site and probability of having seizures, but not between seizure type and age (>65 or <65 years). Among 42 patients, 26 were administered levetiracetam, followed by oxcarbazepine. Until the last follow-up, 19 never changed the first ASM, maintained the same dosage and remained seizure free. After a median of 7 months, 16 (38.1%) required changes in therapeutic treatment due to inefficacy. At the last follow-up, 24 patients (57.1%) were seizure free. Eighteen patients (42.8%) never achieved freedom from seizures despite had at least 2 therapy changes. Two patients changed ASM due to adverse events and 1 to phenobarbital owing to the interaction with cancer treatment. The mean daily dose of first ASM in all 42 patients was very close to the Defined Daily Dose (DDD). In BM patients seizure incidence could be underestimated; a team evaluation performed by oncologist and neurologist together, could guarantee an accurate taking care of both oncological illness and epilepsy, in this fragile patient population. More than 50% of our patients respond to monotherapy with new generation ASMs. Furthermore we deemed in patients receiving chemotherapy the choice of ASM should consider possible interactions with antitumor therapies, for this reason newer generation ASMs should be the preferred choice. It is necessary to get close to the DDD before considering an ASM ineffective in seizure control.

Subjective expectations from radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with oncological illnesses

IntroductionExpectations and fears about chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with oncological illness may not only affect their subjective well-being (Shaverdian et al., 2018) but also treatment satisfaction and complaints of side effects (Guidolin et al., 2018, Dong et al., 2014, Colagiuri et al., 2013).ObjectivesThe aim was to compare beliefs about treatment in patients referred to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and to reveal their relationship to health anxiety and subjective well-being.Methods53 patients referred to radiation therapy and 63 patients referred to chemotherapy completed the Treatment Perception in Oncological Illnesses Scale (Kovyazina et al., 2021), Illness and Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (Kovyazina et al., 2019), Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) and Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (Diener et al., 2009).ResultsCompared to radiation therapy, with chemotherapy, patients tend to be more doubtful about the effectiveness of treatment and more anxious about the need for it (p&lt;.05). Moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that lack of understanding, doubts about the effectiveness and anxiety about radiation and chemotherapy are associated with subjective ill-being indirectly - through a higher level of health anxiety (β=-.79--.35, SE=.17-.26, 95% CI [-1.42 - -.75 – -.37 - -0,08]). Feelings of helplessness regarding treatment mediated the relationship between doubts and confidence about treatment effectiveness and well-being in both groups.ConclusionsResults demonstrated that some fears and expectations about chemo- and radiotherapy could provoke health anxiety and helplessness regarding treatment that is related to poorer well-being.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

A System Biology Approach to Construct a Gene Regulatory Network for C-Kit Mediated Proliferation in Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Many human diseases are characterized by deviations in signaling pathway linked to cell proliferation and differentiation. The crucial interaction of the receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Kit, with its ligand steel factor regulates the homeostatic immune and hematopoietic systems, controlling their fascinating features of proliferation, differentiation, survival. The gene c-Kit has been reported to be associated with a spectrum of human diseases and most commonly observed in cancer. The use of molecular techniques like gene therapy to alter human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells presents great possibilities for various genetic and oncologic illnesses. As a result, elucidating the molecular machinery that controls proliferation is critical. Understanding the mysterious mechanisms that underpin proliferation has long been a focus of basic and clinical research. A combination of computational biology tools and interaction discovery techniques is ideal for global molecular characterization of disease pathways. When primary events are ambiguous due to their enormous complexity, constructing and analyzing the gene regulatory network of proliferation can be the most effective technique to comprehend negative consequences. We identified a network of 356 nodes and 178 interactions as reported in the STRING database, a search engine for retrieving interacting gene/protein. The study pipeline then moved on to functional clustering of related partners utilizing molecular complex detection (MCODE). We then filtered ten hub genes from the network with strong associations and having a critical role in proliferation. Surprisingly, the associated protein we discovered through the network shared more functional similarities with known cancer-related genes. This network-based approach to our microarray data assists in the identification of novel genes/proteins and sheds light on their critical function in c-Kit-mediated hematopoietic stem cell proliferation.

Pediatric Oncology Palliative Care Programs in Central America: Pathways to Success.

Palliative care offers children who have life-limiting and life-threatening oncologic illnesses and their families improved quality of life. In some instances, impeccable symptom control can lead to improved survival. Cultural and financial barriers to palliative care in oncology patients occur in all countries, and those located in Central America are no exception. In this article, we summarize how the programs participating in the Asociación de Hemato-Oncólogos Pediatras de Centro America (AHOPCA) have developed dedicated oncology palliative care programs. The experience in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic and Haiti is detailed, with a focus on history, the barriers that have impeded progress, and achievements. Future directions, which, of course, may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, are described as well.

Spectral Numerical Study of Entropy Generation in Magneto-Convective Viscoelastic Biofluid Flow Through Poro-Elastic Media With Thermal Radiation and Buoyancy Effects

Abstract Electromagnetic high-temperature therapy is popular in medical engineering treatments for various diseases including tissue damage ablation repair, hyperthermia, and oncological illness diagnosis. The simulation of transport phenomena in such applications requires multi-physical models featuring magnetohydrodynamics, biorheology, heat transfer, and deformable porous media. Motivated by investigating the fluid dynamics and thermodynamic optimization of such processes, in the present article, a mathematical model is developed to study the combined influence of thermal buoyancy, magnetic field and thermal radiation on the entropy generation, and momentum and heat transfer characteristics in electrically conducting viscoelastic biofluid flow through a vertical deformable porous medium. It is assumed that heat is generated within the fluid by both viscous and Darcy (porous matrix) dissipations. The governing equations for fluid velocity, solid displacement, and temperature are formulated. The boundary value problem is normalized with appropriate transformations. The nondimensional biofluid velocity, solid displacement, and temperature equations with appropriate boundary conditions are solved computationally using a spectral method. Verification of accuracy is conducted via monitoring residuals of the solutions. The effects of various parameters on flow velocity, solid displacement, temperature, and entropy generation are depicted graphically and discussed. Increasing magnetic field and drag parameters are found to reduce the field velocity, solid displacement, temperature, and entropy production. Entropy production is enhanced with an increase in buoyancy parameter and volume fraction of the fluid. The novelty of the work is the simultaneous inclusion of multiple thermophysical phenomena, and the consideration of thermodynamic optimization in coupled thermal/fluid/elastic media. The computations provide an insight into multiphysical transport in electromagnetic radiative tissue ablation therapy and a good benchmark for more advanced simulations.

Factors affecting high cumulative radiation exposure from paediatric computed tomography.

PurposeTo estimate occurrence rate of high cumulative radiation exposure from paediatric computed tomography (CT), and to determine influential factors on high-dose inclination.Material and methodsPatients below 18 years old receiving at least 50 mSv of a cumulative dose during a 5-year period in a tertiary care centre were retrospectively enrolled. Individual patient characteristics, diagnoses, frequency of exa-minations, scanner sites, designated scans, and effective doses were recorded. Collective doses were compared among groups of the diagnoses and scanner sites, and regression analyses were applied.ResultsOf 2771 patients, 3.2% received individual cumulative doses between 50 and 303 mSv (median, 74 mSv). Frequency of examinations ranged from 1 to 13 times (median, 4 times) per patient. About 70% of the patients had oncological illness. Radiation was predominantly high in a CT simulator that could contribute the percentage of collective dose to twice that of examinations owing to higher scanning parts and CT dose index. Some scanner sites used higher acquisition phases. Regression analysis showed that the number of scanning parts and phases significantly influenced the cumulative dose inclination (p < 0.05) while frequent examinations did not.ConclusionsThere was a low occurrence of paediatrics with high dose accumulation. Significant factors affecting potentially high exposure were customized CT protocols in the specific scanners.

The relationship between positive aspects of caring, anxiety and depression in the caregivers of cancer patients: The mediational role of burden.

The aim of this study was to examine how the burden of caregivers of patients with an advanced oncological illness mediates the relationship between positive aspects of care, depression and anxiety. Quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. One hundred informal adult caregivers of patients with advanced oncological illness who attended the pain and palliative care unit or the psychological unit at the Instituto de Cancerologia Clinica las Americas (Medellin, Colombia) completed self-report assessments including positive aspects of care (PAC), burden and anxiety/depression measured using the HADS (Hospitalized Anxiety Depression Scale). The partial least squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was selected to validate the hypotheses of the study. Most of the participants were women (86%), with a mean age of 46.52years (SD=15.05). Most of the participants reported experiencing both PAC and anxiety. They also scored low for burden. PAC exerted a negative effect on Burden, whereas Burden contributed positively to Anxiety and Depression. The indirect impact of PAC on Anxiety and Depression was significant p<.00. Positive aspects of care in advanced cancer caregivers constitutes a protective factor against caregiver's burden, depression and anxiety. Health staff can promote caregivers' adaptation and wellbeing emphasizing these PAC.

Psychiatrists in palliative care of people with severe psychiatric illnesses and an oncological comorbidity

People with severe psychiatric illnesses and an additional oncological illness represent great challenges to therapists in the palliative setting. Behavior patterns often appear incomprehensible or disconcerting. Depressive withdrawal or delusion in the context of a chronic psychosis can be frightening. This article outlines the epidemiological data as well as the particularities in the experience of this group of people. Following selected case studies from apsychological perspective, thoughts on the tasks of the psychiatrist in the palliative setting are presented.

Diosmin Regulates Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Marker Levels in N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea-Induced Gastric Carcinogenesis in Rats.

Gastric cancer is the most typical oncological illness globally. Though the incidence of gastric cancer has dropped dramatically over the last few years, the survival rate is yet concerning due to poor diagnostic strategy. The etiology of gastric cancer is majorly associated with dietary factors. For this reason, application of nontoxic natural agents with anticancer effects for patients is needed. Diosmin has been commonly utilized to treat various diseases both traditionally and now clinically. However, its effect on gastric carcinogenesis remains unclear. The effects of diosmin were used to evaluate how N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induces gastric carcinogenesis in rats. The general and gross assessment of MNU in experimental animals was tabulated. Biological tumor markers (gastrin, ALP, LDH, and γ-GT) were examined. Oxidative markers (LPO) and antioxidative markers (GSH, vitamin E, and vitamin C) were determined. In addition, inflammatory cytokines (thioredoxin, glutaredoxin, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2) were explored and justified with histopathological studies. Overall, the results showed positive anticancer activity demonstrated by improved body weight, reduced tumor rate, decreased oxidative marker value by increased antioxidative rate, and suppressed tumor biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines. The histopathological analysis was congruent with the data observed. Our conclusion that diosmin exerts its anticancer activity by up-regulation of antioxidants which might be responsible for amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in carcinogenesis to prevent gastric cancer.

Repercusión de la nutrición en la epidemiologia, epigenética y clínica de las enfermedades neoplásicas malignas

Introducción: En el mundo contemporáneo cada vez existen evidencias de la interrelación entre factores nutricionales y la incidencia de enfermedades oncológicas. Cada año se diagnostican 14 millones de casos nuevos de cáncer en el mundo y 8 millones de pacientes mueren por esta causa. Ecuador no escapa a esta problemática. Abordar los factores nutricionales en interrelación con los aspectos epidemiológicos, epigenéticos y clínicos de las enfermedades oncológicas de mayor prevalencia, con vistas a garantizar una mayor promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades oncológicas altamente prevalentes, es siempre bienvenido. En el presente simposio se efectuará una revisión actualizada de la literatura sobre estos temas con vistas a profundizar en los profesionales los conocimientos habilidades y destrezas en el manejo nutricional con enfoque preventivo y curativo en el paciente oncológico, lo cual permitirá mejorar los indicadores de salud.&#x0D; Objetivo: Evaluar de manera crítica la literatura científica reciente, sobre la interrelación entre los factores nutricionales y los aspectos epidemiológicos, epigenéticos y clínicos de las enfermedades oncológicas con vistas a garantizar una mayor promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades oncológicas, así como el manejo nutricional de los enfermos con cáncer, lo cual repercutirá favorablemente en los indicadores de salud de la población.&#x0D; Material y métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica publicada en el periodo 2000-2019, realizándose una triangulación, sobre los factores nutricionales y su relación con los aspectos epidemiológicos, epigenéticos y clínicos de las enfermedades oncológicas con vistas a garantizar una mayor promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades oncológicas altamente prevalentes, lo cual repercutirá favorablemente en los indicadores de salud de la población. Se utilizaron métodos estadísticos descriptivos y el método histórico lógico permitió determinar la secuencia cronológica de los diferentes fundamentos que sustentan la interrelación nutrición y cáncer con un enfoque preventivo curativo inter y transdisciplinario.&#x0D; Resultados: Los referentes teóricos analizados permitieron determinar los aspectos más relevantes de la interrelación de los factores nutricionales y el cáncer, con énfasis en la Epidemiología, Epigenética y Clínica del cáncer a nivel mundial y en Ecuador, todo lo cual contribuirá a elevar las competencias de los profesionales en estos temas y mejorar los indicadores de salud.&#x0D; Conclusiones: El enfoque inter y trans disciplinario de los aspectos nutricionales en interrelación con los epidemiológicos, epigenéticos y clínicos de las enfermedades oncológicas que muestran mayor prevalencia, permite elevar las competencias de los profesionales médicos en nutrición y cáncer, todo lo cual contribuirá a garantizar una mayor promoción de salud y prevención de enfermedades oncológicas, así como un adecuado manejo nutricional del paciente oncológico, con una repercusión favorable en los indicadores de salud.

The relationship between the positive aspects of caring and the personal growth of caregivers of patients with advanced oncological illness : Postraumattic growth and caregiver.

Examine the relationship between the positive aspects of care and the personal growth of caregivers of patients with advanced oncological illness. This research was a quantitative study with a transversal design. One hundred (100) informal caregivers filled out self-applied questionnaire on resilience, aspects of care, emotional distress, spirituality, and posttraumatic growth. Descriptive statistics were applied to the data, later correlation, and regression, and comparative analyses were conducted. The participants were mainly women (86%) with an average care period of 12 months. The average age was 46.52 years. The highest scores were evidenced in positive aspects of caretaking, spirituality, personal growth, and distress, while the lowest score was seen in questions related to resilience. There was a negative inverse correlation among emotional distress, resilience, spirituality, and posttraumatic growth (p < .05) and a positive correlation among resilience, spirituality, posttraumatic growth, and the positive aspects of caretaking (p < .01). There were significant differences among the items related to emotional distress, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. The linear regression analysis showed that as resilience, spirituality, and the positive aspects of care increased, so did posttraumatic growth. To promote the perception of benefits among caregivers, resilience and the identification of meaning in the caregiving experience of patients with advanced oncological illness can be considered protective factors favoring adaptation and reducing negative moods.