Lactic acidosis in patients with cancer.

Lactic acidosis is the most common metabolic acidosis in hospitalized patients-the result from an underlying pathogenic process. To successfully manage lactic acid production, its cause needs to be eliminated. Patients with cancer have many risk factors for developing lactic acidosis, including the cancer diagnosis itself.

Gemcitabine-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

A patient being treated for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas presents to the clinic for a routine appointment. A complete blood count reveals hemoglobin of 6.5 g/dl and a platelet count of 30,000 K/mm3 thought to be from the last of many doses of gemcitabine.

Care of the open abdomen after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal surface malignancies.

A patient with a mucinous appendiceal cancer presents to the surgeon complaining of abdominal discomfort and nausea. Having undergone a prior right hemicolectomy, the patient has been disease free and on surveillance with clinical and carcinogenic antigen (CEA) monitoring. The CEA was noted to be elevated and a computed tomography scan revealed peritoneal nodules throughout the abdomen with a presumptive diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei (progressive peritoneal implants from a mucinous primary).

A patient with tumor lysis syndrome.

When caring for a patient with TLS, astute nursing care is required for positive patient outcomes. Assessments and monitoring are required for prompt management of complications and patient safety. Because of the skilled nursing care that Mr.

Penile cancer.

Objectives: To review the risk factors, prevention, treatment, and management of the patient with penile cancer.

Data Sources: Publications; clinical experience.

Conclusion: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy in the United States, but is more common in developing countries.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia: an overview with implications for oncology nurses.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), once described as the form of leukemia with the highest mortality, is now the most potentially curable subtype of adult acute myeloid leukemia. A brief review of the history of APL will describe the advances in research and clinical practice and their impact on patient outcomes. Oncology nurses should familiarize themselves with the nuances of APL because of the critical role nurses play in providing support for patients.

Targeted cancer. These "smart weapons" hit cancer in novel ways.

Be prepared to recognize and manage a new collection of adverse reactions that may arise from these innovative approaches to cancer therapy.

Responding to 4 gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients.

If your patient has cancer, be prepared to help her manage such serious GI complications as bowel obstruction, peritonitis, fistula formation, and intestinal perforation.

Caring for a patient with metastatic prostate cancer.

Learn about the latest treatments and what your patient needs to know at this difficult time.

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for women with ovarian cancer: nursing care and considerations.

Adjuvant treatment options for women with ovarian cancer following optimal surgical debulking traditionally have focused on IV taxane and/or platinum-based regimens. Combining intraperitoneal (IP) with IV therapy may offer a survival advantage over IV therapy alone in selected patients. The nursing care of women receiving IP chemotherapy involves unique assessment considerations, toxicity management, and patient teaching.

Risk for unplanned hospital readmission of patients with cancer: results of a retrospective medical record review.

Purpose/objectives: To identify potential factors that place patients with cancer at risk for unplanned readmissions after discharge from the hospital.

Design: Retrospective, descriptive, medical record review.

Setting: A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in an urban area of the Northeastern United States.

Ecteinascidin-743.

Ecteinascidin-743 (ET-743) is a marine-derived antineoplastic agent undergoing clinical trials to evaluate its use in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. After the completion of the phase I studies, the agent subsequently was investigated in phase II trials for efficacy in a variety of tumor types. Ongoing phase I evaluation continues with other antineoplastic agents.

Treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Objectives: To review the management of advanced prostate cancer, including symptom management, hormonal therapy, and the use of chemotherapy.

Data Sources: Published articles and book chapters on advanced prostate cancer.

Conclusions: Advanced prostate cancer is a common problem that has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life.