The use of hormonal, chemotherapeutic, and targeted biologic oral agents has exponentially increased since the early 2000s. Oral therapies have the advantage of persistent exposure of the cytotoxic drug to tumor cells and the tumor environment. The use of oral anticancer agents provides therapeutic...
Neuropathic side effects are commonly reported in patients receiving oxaliplatin, but little is known about the characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in this patient population. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the prevalence of neuropathic symptoms in patients with...
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of the 2010 Oncology Nursing Society book, A Guide to Oncology Symptom Management (pp. 1-14), edited by Carlton Brown, RN, PhD, AOCN®.
Opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OBD) is characterized by a constellation of symptoms, including constipation; dry, hard stools; straining; and incomplete evacuation. The use of a prophylactic bowel regimen that includes a stimulant laxative and stool softener generally is accepted and should be...