[Differences between gynecological cancer patients taken care for at home and those taken care for at the hospital].
Thirty-five patients with end-stage gynecological cancer, twelve taken care for at home care and 23 taken care for at our hospital, were compared. The life span after recurrence was significantly (p < 0.05) longer in the group taken care for at home. The number of persons living with the patient was also significantly (p < 0.01) larger in the group taken care for at home. Moreover, the hospitalization in the end stage of the disease was significantly (p < 0.01) shorter in the group taken care for at home. The average hospitalization in the end was for 6.5 days. Four patients died at their home. Average period the 12 patients stayed at home was 52.7 days. Following matters are important in order to provide home care. 1. We must know the biological characteristics of the cancer. 2. It is important that it does not lose the timing to which shift to the home care, keeping good doctor-patient relationship. 3. Limit of the therapy against cancer and importance of treatment at home should be carefully and clearly explained to the patient.
Yajima
M
M
Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
Okamura
K
K
Ijichi
R
R
Hida
K
K
Takamatsu
K
K
Ohta
H
H
Tohma
H
H
Shirotani
Y
Y
Ariga
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000401:mortality; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate