Roles played by advanced practitioners in oncology: present status and future outlook.

The 40th anniversary of the Oncology Nursing Society is the perfect time to reflect on the role that advanced practitioners in oncology (APOs) play in the care of patients with cancer. APOs have become an important part of cancer care. This group of professionals practicing in various settings includes physician assistants (PAs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and nurse practitioners (NPs).

The wave of the future: genetic profiling in treatment selection.

Chemotherapy treatment recommendations traditionally have been based on the anatomic site of origin and the histology of the tumor. More recently, treatment options are transitioning to targeted therapies, in which drug selection is based on mutations present in an individual tumor. Genomic testing is a developing area that involves testing tumors to determine their molecular or genetic characteristics, then matching those characteristics to treatments that specifically target them.