A Pathway to Publishing an Oncology Nursing Book.

Objectives: To describe the process of book publishing, including authoring and revising book chapters, and provide resources on book publishing opportunities for oncology nurses.

Data Sources: Journal articles, book publishers' information for authors, online publishing resources, discussions with textbook editors, personal experience.

Conclusion: Few published resources exist to guide nurses as they author and/or revise books and book chapters.

Survivorship issues in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Objectives: To review recent research of long-term complications and prevention techniques in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Data Sources: Peer review journals, books, and research studies.

Conclusion: Increasing numbers of HSCTs are performed worldwide, leading to an escalating increase in the number of survivors.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-sodium hyaluronate gel (Gelclair): a bioadherent oral gel for the treatment of oral mucositis and other painful oral lesions.

Background: Painful oral lesions in patients with cancer, HIV or aphthous ulcers can cause significant pain and discomfort. Those with oral mucositis (OM) resulting from high-dose chemotherapy or irradiation are the most at risk for painful lesions that lead to significant morbidity and mortality, decreased quality of life and increased economic costs. Numerous approaches have been taken to prevent and treat OM in the cancer patient but this condition remains a significant obstacle to cancer therapy.

Differentiating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from asthma.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are chronic diseases that are increasing worldwide in incidence, prevalence, and burden. The purpose of this article is to provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with the information necessary to make a differential diagnosis and to understand the different treatment approaches to these two diseases.

Data Sources: Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and evidence-based Internet sources.

Dendritic cells: emerging roles in tumor immunotherapy.

The purpose of this article is to examine the use of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) as immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. DCs can be stimulated either from circulating blood or bone marrow progenitor cells using cytokines, particularly granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (e.g.

A dendritic cell primer for oncology nurses.

Once believed to be part of the nervous system, dendritic cells (DCs) now are known to be potent antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. Upon capturing a foreign antigen, the immature DC matures as it travels to the T cells to activate an immune response. DCs can be categorized into two main subsets: DC1s and DC2s.

Epoetin alfa: current and future indications and nursing implications.

Cancer-related anemia commonly is associated with fatigue and decreased quality of life (QOL). Treatment to achieve optimal hemoglobin levels in patients receiving chemotherapy can alleviate common symptoms of anemia and may allow patients to have more meaningful survival time while on chemotherapy. New studies have suggested that epoetin alfa (Procrit, Ortho Biotech Products, LP, Raritan, NJ) can be administered safely and effectively once a week in patients with anemia other than those patients with cancer receiving concomitant chemotherapy.

Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor: current practice and novel approaches.

Endogenous myeloid colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have demonstrated the ability to enhance the clinical management of immunosuppressed patients with cancer. These agents are associated with significant decreases in chemotherapy-associated infections, antibiotic use, length of hospital stays, and mortality. Two major endogenous recombinant myeloid CSFs currently are being manufactured.