Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Dec 2016
Review Case ReportsFatal posterior revesible leukoencephalopathy syndrome associated coma induced by bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer and review of literature.
Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a syndrome characterized by headache, hypertension, confusion, visual disturbance, and seizures accompanied by subcortical vasogenic edema, predominantly involving the parietal and occipital lobes. The syndrome is usually described in malignant hypertension, eclampsia, renal failure, immunosuppressive, and cytotoxic chemotherapies. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been linked to PRES. ⋯ This literature review was conducted by utilizing PubMed Database. If early diagnosed, PRES is reversible. We present a case of fatal PRES-associated coma induced by bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Dec 2016
Retrospective analysis of pharmacist interventions in an ambulatory palliative care practice.
We have previously reported the development of an outpatient palliative care practice under pharmacist-physician collaboration. The Doris A. Howell Service at the University of California, San Diego Moores Cancer Center includes two pharmacists who participate in a transdisciplinary clinic and provide follow-up care to patients. ⋯ A pharmacist-led outpatient palliative care practice identified medication problems for management of pain, constipation, and nausea/vomiting. Medication changes involved a change in dose and/or initiating a new medication. Trends were observed in improvement and stabilization of pain over subsequent clinic visits.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Dec 2016
Chemotherapy drug shortages in paediatric oncology: A 14-year single-centre experience in Belgium.
Shortages of chemotherapy are a growing challenge for the healthcare system. We present the burden of drug shortages of chemotherapeutics in the paediatric hemato-oncology unit of a tertiary care hospital and solutions that were used to manage them. ⋯ Methotrexate, doxorubicin and carboplatin had the longest supply disruptions. Solutions to address the problems were purchase of a generic alternative, a change of individual treatment plans, cohorting of patients and import from abroad.