Active clinical trials for "Gastrointestinal Neoplasms"

This trial studies how well web-based mindfulness meditation works in reducing distress in both participants with gastrointestinal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, and their caregivers. Web-based mindfulness meditation, which uses audio exercises and interactive webinars taught by trained meditation instructors, may help participants with GI cancer and their caregivers reduce distress and improve their quality of life.

aimed at investigating the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcome of Medium-Calorie or standard-calorie total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery

Observational research has linked physical activity with faster recovery, improved quality of life, and greater survival; however, little is known about the effects of physical activity in pre-operative, peri-operative, or post-operative treatment contexts and there is a need for interventions to improve patient outcomes across the cancer treatment continuum. Three propositions derived from basic research, epidemiological evidence, and clinical practice informed our intervention development efforts: (1) Patient outcomes will be enhanced by interventions that increase physical activity (i.e., standing, walking) across the cancer treatment continuum (i.e., pre-operative, peri-operative, post-operative). (2) Reducing sedentary behavior (i.e., seated or reclined activities involving minimal energy expenditure) will enhance patient outcomes both by increasing physical activity and by stimulating additional adaptive physiological responses to reduced sedentary time (responses which are independent of physical activity-induced responses). (3) Patients with gastrointestinal cancers often suffer functional limitations that limit their independence and their health behaviors are strongly influenced by the family environment so interventions that engage caregivers (e.g., spouses) will be more effective than those that target patients/survivors alone.

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial studies how well inhaled essential oils work for common quality of life concerns in patients who are undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or immunotherapy given through the vein (intravenously). Aromatherapy using essential oils, such as ginger essential oil, German chamomile essential oil, and bergamot essential oil, may improve quality of life issues such as nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite, and fatigue in patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Primary Objective: To assess how an amino acid based medical food (Enterade®) helps maintain the intestine's ability to absorb and retain fluids, leading to a reduction in diarrhea due to Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET) and/or Carcinoid Syndrome. This improvement in the absorption will be assessed in part by evaluating changes in average daily stool frequency from baseline in patients receiving Enterade®. Each subject serves as his or her own control. Secondary Objectives: To assess subject reported health-related quality of life in subjects before and after compound administration. To characterize the side effect profile and tolerability of Enterade® as measured by the number of total 8-oz Enterade® bottles consumed throughout the trial, and average drinks per day. To evaluate changes in serum electrolytes before and after administration of Eenterade®. To assess intravenous fluid requirement and/or hospitalization for dehydration secondary to diarrhea between control observation period and active Enterade® period. To evaluate difference in utilization of standard-of-care anti-diarrheal medications between control observation period and Enterade® period. To compare subjective feeling of bloating and flatulence before and after administration of Enterade®. To evaluate changes in patient weight before and after administration of Enterade®.

The Stanford Cancer Center is undertaking a Transformation Initiative in order to improve the quality of care and care coordination across the continuum of care. The newest innovation is to introduce lay navigators to specified high-need patients. The larger goal of the project is to assess whether lay navigators can address non-clinical patient needs in a timely fashion and appropriately connect them with their clinical team when warranted. It is expected that proactive interaction with patients will decrease patient anxiety/stress related to their cancer and facilitate higher patient engagement and improved management of physical, social,and emotional health. For the pilot project, the smaller goal is to understand: how lay navigator time is used; the types and frequency of issues brought up by patients; resources that patients are given or referred to; type and frequency of mode of contact with patients; and patients' acceptance of navigators based on refusal. An electronic intake form will be used to collect this information so that data can be analyzed regularly to inform changes to the navigator program as needed.

This study seeks to test the efficacy of a psychosocial intervention to empower advanced cancer patients and their caregivers and improve their quality of life (QOL). The program, called NextSTEPS, provides skills training in six domains that are central to patient and caregiver QOL: self-care, stress management, symptom management, effective communication, problem-solving, and social support.

The main purpose of this research study is to determine if the use of a nutritional supplement and exercise improve or worsen cachexia.

The investigators hypothesized that with the administration of the nutritional supplement Ocoxin-Viusid® is expected to improve the quality of life and enhance tolerance to chemotherapy in at least 70% of patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, treated at the "Hermanos Ameijeiras" Surgical Clinical Hospital. Phase II clinical trial, open, multicenter, nonrandomized.

This research study is evaluating the ability for people with metastatic gastrointestinal cancer to participate in a physical activity program.