Active clinical trials for "Gastrointestinal Neoplasms"

This randomized, controlled, pilot experiment will evaluate the effects of an aerobic walking intervention on OIPN (oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy) in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer who are already prescribed oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2 every other week for at least six cycles) by their oncologists. Oxaliplatin is a standard chemotherapy treatment for invasive GI cancers that causes OIPN in 85-95% of patients.

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.

Esophageal and gastric cancers are a considerable health burden. In the past 10 years the 5-year survival for both cancers has doubled. This is due to a number of factors including advances in neo adjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, physical fitness significantly declines as a result of neo adjuvant an adjuvant therapy. From studies in other cancers it is known that peri operative training improves physical fitness, yet there is little research into its effects in those with upper gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of a pre-and post operative training program on patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers on their physical fitness and consequently their optimism, quality of life and post operative morbidity.

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.

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.

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®.

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 pilot study will determine changes over time in tumor volume/motion & patient anatomy, as well as dose distributions to normal organs. The study will inform medical decision-making about need for (and timing of) re-calibration of radiation dosimetry plans. Weekly CT and/or serial MR scans will be employed for those patients receiving 7-8 wks of radiation therapy. The study will enroll 30 patients in each stratum: Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Head & Neck, gastrointestinal (GI) and Gynecologic tumor.