Perioperative Palliative Care Considerations for Surgical Oncology Nurses.

Objectives: To explore the opportunities to incorporate palliative care into perioperative oncology patient management and education strategies for surgical oncology nurses.

Data Sources: Articles related to palliative care and surgical oncology to determine the degree of integration, gaps, and implications for practice.

Conclusion: Although evidence supports positive patient outcomes when palliative care is integrated in the perioperative period, uptake of palliative care into surgical settings is slow.

Transition to a new cancer care delivery system: opportunity for empowerment of the role of the advanced practice provider.

The purpose of the study was to obtain an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of advanced practice providers (APPs) with respect to their current roles in the context of the transition to a new cancer care delivery system, as well as factors that may influence their ability to practice at their level of training and education. Five focus groups were conducted with 15 APPs (11 nurse practitioners, 4 physician assistants). Data were collected by a recorder at each focus group.

Smoking cessation and lung cancer: oncology nurses can make a difference.

Objectives: To provide an overview of the impact of smoking after a diagnosis of lung cancer, discuss the relationship between smoking cessation and improved outcomes, present information about tobacco-dependence treatments, reimbursement for these treatments, and resources available for patients and health care professionals.

Data Sources: Published articles, reports, websites, and research studies.

Conclusion: Prevention of tobacco use and cessation are primary ways to prevent lung cancer.

Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel/irinotecan combination in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: Docetaxel and irinotecan have activity in pancreatic cancer. The combination of docetaxel and irinotecan is attractive because of preclinical evidence of synergy between the two drugs. We have previously demonstrated the safety of docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 50 mg/m(2) given on days 1, 8, 15, and 21 of a 35-day schedule.

Long-term assessment of cardiac function after dose-dense and -intense sequential doxorubicin (A), paclitaxel (T), and cyclophosphamide (C) as adjuvant therapy for high risk breast cancer.

Objectives: This study evaluated the incidence of late cardiotoxicity after dose-dense and -intense adjuvant sequential doxorubicin (A), paclitaxel (T), and cyclophosphamide (C) for breast cancer (BC) with > or = 4 involved ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes.

Methods: Patients were enrolled from 1994 to 2001 after definitive BC surgery if > or =4 axillary nodes were involved. Planned treatment was A 90 mg/m(2) q 14 days x 3, T 250 mg/m(2) q 14 days x 3, C 3 g/m(2 )q 14 days x 3 with filgrastim (G) support.

Common side effects of anti-EGFR therapy: acneform rash.

Objectives: To review the general toxicity profile of EGFR-targeted therapies and the management of the most common side effect, skin toxicity.

Data Sources: Research articles.

Conclusion: The most common side effect of anti-EGFR therapy is skin toxicity, which is generally mild to moderate, but may be severe in up to 18% of patients.

Clinical experience with anti-EGFR therapy.

Objectives: To review clinical experience and studies with anti-EGFR therapies in metastatic CRC, SCCHN, and NSCLC. Case studies in each tumor type will also be outlined.

Data Sources: Research articles and patient case histories.