Creating a caregiver program in neuro-oncology.

Background: Neuro-oncology caregivers face unique challenges. Caring for a patient who has a catastrophic, life-threatening diagnosis combined with progressive neurological decline can produce great distress. Experts agree that a formalized plan of care to address the needs of the neuro-oncology caregiver is needed.

Putting evidence into practice: evidence-based interventions for sleep-wake disturbances.

Symptom management is a vital aspect of the practice of oncology nursing. The Oncology Nursing Society has identified outcomes sensitive to nursing intervention, known as nursing-sensitive patient outcomes. This article presents information about sleep-wake disturbances that occur in patients with cancer and makes recommendations for evidence-based interventions to improve sleep for patients.

Phase 1 study of erlotinib HCl alone and combined with temozolomide in patients with stable or recurrent malignant glioma.

The purpose of this study was to define the maximum tolerated dose of erlotinib and characterize its pharmaco-kinetics and safety profile, alone and with temozolomide, with and without enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), in patients with malignant gliomas. Patients with stable or progressive malignant primary glioma received erlotinib alone or combined with temozolomide in this dose-escalation study. In each treatment group, patients were stratified by coadministration of EIAEDs.