TOPIC

Oncology research

Everything we have read on oncology. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

332 PAPERS · PAGE 2 OF 7 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Symptom management in adult brain tumours: A literature review.Nursing openEvidence for nonpharmacological symptom management in adult brain tumours is largely borrowed from other cancers, with insufficient data for fatigue, sleep, and distress. Cognitive rehabilitation has some support. Routine assessment of these often-overlooked symptoms is recommended.
• PTOTRNCohort2023Accumulated incidence of falls in people hospitalised with cancer and related factors.Nursing openMost falls in hospitalised cancer patients happened at night, in the bathroom, or while walking, with the patient unaccompanied. Weakness or loss of balance caused nearly half. Age and psychotropic drugs were linked to injuries, but most falls caused no harm.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2023Setting a Patient-Driven Agenda for Cancer Research Priorities in Geriatric Oncology: A Qualitative Study.Seminars in oncology nursingOlder adults with cancer prioritized research into symptom recognition, managing treatment side effects, and frailty over drug development. They reported feeling unheard when clinicians conflated cancer symptoms with normal aging, and highlighted gaps in support for caregivers.
• PTRNRCT2022Staying Strong and Healthy During Androgen Deprivation Therapy.Cancer nursingThe primary LDL outcome did not show a significant between-group difference after correction. The combined exercise, nutrition, and ADT education intervention was feasible, but the control group also received nurse calls.
• PTOTRNQualitative2023A Qualitative Study of the Pain Experience of Black Individuals With Cancer Taking Long-Acting Opioids.Cancer nursingBlack patients with cancer taking long-acting opioids described pain as something to control by limiting doses and accepting background pain, while stigma, pharmacy access, side effects, and fear of addiction blocked relief.
• PTOTRNSurvey2023Quality of life of older gynecologic oncology patients at the initiation of chemotherapy.Nursing openBefore chemotherapy, older gynecologic cancer patients reported lower global, physical, role and social function than age-matched Norwegian women; emotional function was similar, and cognitive function was higher.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2024The unmet rehabilitation needs of colorectal cancer survivors after surgery: A qualitative meta-synthesis.Nursing openColorectal cancer survivors after surgery said they lacked clear help with diet, exercise, bowel symptoms, stoma care, work and emotional support. These are reported needs, not tested interventions.
• PTOTRNNarrative Review2024Various Therapies for Lymphedema and Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Including a Multimodal At-Home Nonpneumatic Compression Treatment.Advances in skin & wound careNo single treatment cures chronic edema. Exercise, compression, skin care and self-management remain foundational. A portable nonpneumatic compression device may improve adherence, but evidence is limited.
• PTCase ReportA Rare Case of Hereditary Multiple Exostoses in a Woman.Orthopedic nursingA 28-year-old woman with long-standing bilateral knee pain had a bilateral knee x-ray showing multiple hereditary exostoses. She reported improvement after reassurance and closed-chain exercises, but this was a single case with no formal outcome measures.
• PTOther2024The Use of Novel Instrumented Socks to Detect Changes in Daily Life Mobility During an Exercise Intervention in Prostate Cancer Survivors Treated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy.Seminars in oncology nursingSix months of tai chi, strength training, or stretching did not clearly improve daily life mobility measured by socks in 35 prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy. Still, 14 participants improved on at least two mobility measures.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2023Experiences and Unmet Needs of Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of a Brain Tumor (Aged 15-39 Years): A Systematic Review and Meta-ethnography.Cancer nursingAdolescent and young adult brain tumor survivors report both positive coping and severe emotional distress, often feeling like a burden. Families carry the weight of managing late effects and navigating school or work support, while survivors frequently lack specific information on long-term needs.
• PTRNCohort2024Worse Depression Profiles Are Associated With Higher Symptom Burden and Poorer Quality of Life in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer.Cancer nursingWorse depression profiles were associated with higher anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, and poorer quality of life among patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy. Nurses can use these patterns to target screening and referrals.
• PTOTRNOther2025Interventions facilitating the involvement of relatives of patients with acquired brain injury or malignant brain tumour: A scoping review.Journal of clinical nursingRelatives of stroke and brain tumour patients were involved in many varied interventions, commonly including education and physical activity or training, often delivered by nurses. Outcomes and involvement were not measured consistently, so it cannot show which approach works.
• PTOther2024Content validity of guidance on self-care in the post-operative period for breast cancer.Revista brasileira de enfermagemA 30-item guide for women after breast surgery was judged clear and relevant by expert nurses and physiotherapists, but it was not tested with patients or shown to improve recovery.
• PTOTRNQualitative2025'Balancing Challenges and Personal Resources': A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences of Arm Impairment After Axillary Surgery for Breast Cancer.Journal of advanced nursingWomen after axillary surgery said arm symptoms often improved, but some had lasting pain, swelling or stiffness that required exercises, daily adaptations, clear information and supportive follow-up.
• PTOTRNCase ReportManaging Calciphylaxis: Insights from Real-World Cases at a Tertiary Academic Center.Advances in skin & wound carePeople with suspected calciphylaxis improved after multidisciplinary wound care, including sodium thiosulfate infusions for some. The cases suggest possible responses, not proof that any single treatment caused healing.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2025Effects of Cancer Rehabilitation Interventions for Women Treated for Gynaecological Cancers: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.Journal of clinical nursingCancer rehabilitation programmes increased physical activity in women treated for gynaecological cancers, with effects lasting up to 12 months, but did not improve healthy eating, anxiety, depression, or overall quality of life.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2025Symptom Experience After Surgical Treatment for Vulvar Cancer-A Scoping Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesWomen after vulvar cancer surgery described lymphedema, pain, fatigue, urinary and sexual changes, and loneliness. Symptoms varied widely, and many said they lacked clear information after surgery. This maps symptoms, not treatment effects.
• PTRNSurvey2025Psychological wellbeing among parents of a child living with a serious chronic illness: A cross-sectional survey study.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityAbout half of 106 parents of children with serious chronic illness reported low distress, but parents of children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy reported higher distress and poorer coping than parents of children with cystic fibrosis. Many also reported unmet support needs.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Perspectives and Requirements of Patients with Prostate Cancer on Mobile Health Interventions During Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.Journal of clinical nursingMost prostate cancer patients on hormone therapy use smartphones daily, but only half want mHealth for their care. They need simple, passive monitoring and trusted medical advice, while rejecting mindfulness and peer groups due to stigma and independence.
• PTQualitative2026Implementing health promotion interventions in a pediatric oncology setting: A qualitative study among families impacted by cancer and healthcare professionals.Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and communityFamilies and oncology staff said a health promotion program was easier to join when flexible, tailored, remote when needed and fitted around treatment. Time, unclear roles, staff burden, overlap and early treatment stress made it hard.
• PTSurvey2025Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index in Bengali.Journal of transcultural nursing : official journal of the Transcultural Nursing SocietyBengali-speaking breast cancer survivors could use a translated questionnaire to report arm symptoms, distress, and limited movement. Most found it relevant and understandable, but repeat scores were unreliable and lymphedema detection was only fair.
• PTOTQualitative2025Men's Perceptions of Non-Cancer Related Lymphoedema: A Qualitative Diary Study.Nursing & health sciencesTwelve men with non-cancer lymphoedema described hiding their condition to avoid stigma and being misread as drunk or weak. They managed daily disruption through strict self-care routines, framing themselves as 'expert patients' to regain control and preserve their masculine identity.
• PTRNCohort2025Poorer Quality of Life Outcomes Are Associated with Higher Levels of Stress, Lower Levels of Resilience, and Poorer Adjustment to Cancer in Outpatients Receiving Chemotherapy.Seminars in oncology nursingAmong chemotherapy outpatients, 26.9% were in a low quality-of-life class; these patients had higher stress, lower resilience, poorer mental adjustment, depression, back pain, and lower function. Use these cues to screen and refer.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Impact of Lymphedema on Women's Lives After Gynaecological Cancer: An Integrative Review.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesWomen after gynaecological cancer described lower-limb lymphedema as swelling, heaviness, pain and body-image distress that limited walking, work, clothing and sex. Clinicians often missed or delayed diagnosis. Women often had to self-manage.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026The use of virtual reality in cancer patient health education: A scoping review.International journal of nursing sciencesCancer VR education tools include videos, immersive environments, radiotherapy simulations, 3D models, games and virtual characters. Small studies report better knowledge, less anxiety and some behavior change, but long-term effects and privacy are unclear.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2026Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Cough in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingNon-drug treatments were associated with lower cough severity in lung cancer patients, especially pulmonary rehabilitation, but the evidence was very low certainty and most trials were high risk of bias.
• PTOTRNSystematic Review2026Rebuilding life after breast cancer treatment among Korean breast cancer survivors: an integrative review.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea)Korean breast cancer survivors reported persistent pain, sleep disturbance, decreased muscle strength, reduced exercise tolerance and lymphedema after treatment, plus body-image distress, fear of recurrence and return-to-work struggles. Exercise, diet, self-management and surveillance support are framed as possible nursing targets, not proven effects.
• PTRNQualitative2026Relational and symbolic process: decisions regarding the place of death in the context of advanced cancer.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PChoosing home or hospital for death was described as a negotiation over pain control, family capacity, and communication. Nurses and other team members appeared as mediators, but the study did not show one setting as better.
• PTMeta-Analysis2026Effects of Telerehabilitation on Functional and Other Health-Related Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn adults with colorectal cancer, telerehabilitation did not improve physical function, the main outcome. Quality of life scores were higher, but the gain was smaller than the level considered clinically meaningful.
• PTOTOther2026Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Identify Mobility Limitation in Incurable Cancer.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA single-item symptom question closely tracks detailed mobility difficulty in incurable cancer. Younger patients reported worse mobility than older patients with similar clinical status. Use patient-reported scores to spot mobility issues that standard clinical ratings may miss.
• PTPilot2016Physical exercises for breast cancer survivors: effects of 10 weeks of training on upper limb circumferences.Journal of physical therapy scienceTen weeks of Nordic Walking, with or without ISA exercises, and Walking plus ISA exercises reduced arm circumferences on the surgery side. Walking alone did not. This was a small pilot.
• PTOther2016Effects of circuit exercise on autonomic nerve system of survivors after surgery of breast cancer.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter 8 weeks, breast cancer survivors doing circuit exercise did not show a clear within-group change in heart-rate variability. Compared with controls, some measures were higher, but controls declined. It was a small study without described randomisation.
• PTPilot2016Pilot study of effective methods for measuring and stretching for pectoral muscle tightness in breast cancer patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceMeasuring and stretching with the arm at 90° or 135° gave larger shoulder horizontal abduction differences and greater improvement than at 45° after a 4 week program that also included gentle shoulder range of motion. Pain, function and quality of life did not differ.
• PTRCT2016Edema and pain reduction using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 patients with lower extremity lymphedema, four weeks of TENS produced a larger reduction in pain than prescribed drugs. Calf circumference also decreased more. The small sample limits confidence.
• PTOTPilot2017Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Children With Brain Tumors.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationNine children with brain tumor hemiplegia completed all 15 constraint-induced movement therapy sessions. Quality of life scores did not show a clear change, but arm use improved and was mostly maintained at 3 months.
• PTPilot2016Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and deep-breathing exercises on upper extremity lymphedema in stroke patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceTen stroke patients with arm swelling performed deep-breathing and stretching exercises for four weeks. Body water volume in both arms decreased significantly, but the study lacked a control group, so the exercises cannot be proven as the cause.
• PTOTCohort2016Predictors of Altered Upper Extremity Function During the First Year After Breast Cancer Treatment.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAt 12 months, 16.6% of women had a shoulder abduction restriction of at least 20 degrees on the affected side compared with the unaffected side. Poorer preoperative shoulder motion predicted poorer one-month motion, so screening before surgery may identify higher risk.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017Therapeutic Work as a Facilitator for Return to Paid Work in Cancer Survivors.Journal of occupational rehabilitationCancer survivors in therapeutic work were much more likely to return to paid work after one year than those not in such work. However, this association was strongest in survivors who still held an employment contract, suggesting access to support, not just the work itself, drives the outcome.
• PTPilot2017Exercise training for people following curative intent treatment for non-small cell lung cancer: a randomized controlled trial.Brazilian journal of physical therapyIn 17 people after lung cancer treatment, 8 weeks of supervised walking, cycling and strength training increased exercise capacity compared with usual activities with weekly phone calls. No differences were seen in physical activity, muscle force, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression or lung function.
• PTOTCohort2017How Receptive Are Patients With Late Stage Cancer to Rehabilitation Services and What Are the Sources of Their Resistance?Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost patients with late-stage lung cancer refused rehabilitation even when distressed by their limitations. The main barrier was believing they did not need help. Clinicians should expect resistance and discuss why therapy matters before referring, rather than assuming distress drives uptake.
• PTOTCohort2017Nested Cohort Study to Identify Characteristics That Predict Near-Term Disablement From Lung Cancer Brain Metastases.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn lung cancer patients with brain metastases, whole-brain radiation, cerebellar tumors, and new or expanding lesions predicted sharp drops in mobility. These factors flag patients who need immediate rehabilitation referral to prevent disablement.
• PTRCT2017Association Between Maximal Bench Press Strength and Isometric Handgrip Strength Among Breast Cancer Survivors.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIsometric handgrip strength was only modestly related to maximal bench press strength and overestimated it by 4.7 kg on average. Do not use handgrip alone to judge breast cancer survivors' bench press strength.
• PTOTRCT2017Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms (CIPN): a preliminary case-control study.Journal of physical therapy scienceActive TENS did not reduce numbness, tingling, or interference with daily life more than placebo TENS over 45 days in 24 cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. This small randomized trial does not support active TENS as an add-on.
• PTCase Series2016Knee rotationplasty: motion of the body centre of mass during walking.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationIn three patients with knee rotationplasty, muscle work during walking was in line with normal values for speed, but push-off power was asymmetric. The unaffected limb supplied most power, while the rotated limb supplied much less.
• PTNarrative Review2017Modern pain neuroscience in clinical practice: applied to post-cancer, paediatric and sports-related pain.Brazilian journal of physical therapyNo original methods or results are reported. This masterclass narrative review gives a literature-based rationale for applying pain neuroscience to post-cancer, paediatric and sports pain.
• PTOTSLPCohort2017Characterization of Cancer Patients in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationCancer patients in inpatient rehabilitation gained an average of 23.5 points on an 18 to 126 functional independence scale, and 72% went to community rather than acute care. It did not compare them with cancer patients who did not receive inpatient rehabilitation.
• PTCohort2017Comparison between stair-climbing test and six-minute walk test after lung resection using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy.Journal of physical therapy scienceAfter lung resection, stair-climbing altitude fell, while six-minute walk distance changed little. Stair climbing may be more sensitive to reduced exercise capacity in this group.
• PTMeta-Analysis2017Effect of Home- and Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Function Among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationHome and community-based physical activity programs for cancer survivors improved physical function on four of five common measures. The gains were modest, and advanced lower-limb function did not improve.
• PTSystematic Review2017Diagnosis of Upper Quadrant Lymphedema Secondary to Cancer: Clinical Practice Guideline From the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.Physical therapyNo single test diagnoses upper quadrant lymphedema after cancer. Use symptoms, volume measures, and bioimpedance for early cases; use ultrasound for late tissue changes. Cluster findings and keep the same method over time.