Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Sep 2010
Comparative StudyA cross-sectional study comparing variation in body surface area and chemotherapy dosing in pediatric oncology using two different methods.
Standardizing body surface area (BSA) determination is essential for avoiding variation in chemotherapy dosage calculations. In this study, we compared variation in BSA calculation using weight and height by the Mosteller formula with weight alone using recently adapted table at a local oncology center. ⋯ Significant differences in BSAbased chemotherapy dosing exist in our center. The Mosteller method should remain the standard until prospective studies are performed to determine the significance of this dosing variability on toxicity and survival outcome.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Jun 2010
Comparative StudyOncology pharmacy practice in a teaching hospital in Nepal.
To highlight the patient care activities performed by pharmacists during their ward rounds in medical oncology ward of a tertiary care hospital in western region of Nepal. ⋯ The study evaluated the drug information provided by pharmacists, spontaneous reporting of ADRs by the pharmacists, and their intervention on treatment plan of patients during ward round. This suggests pharmacists can play a significant role on patient care when he or she joins round with other healthcare personnel in the oncology ward.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Mar 2010
Comparative StudyRetrospective evaluation of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in the adult cancer population.
Hospitalized cancer patients are at an increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and it is recommended they receive pharmacologic prophylaxis unless otherwise contraindicated. The majority of data supporting this recommendation comes from sub-group analyses and extrapolation of data gathered in general medical/surgical patients. This study seeks to assess the safety and efficacy of VTE prophylaxis in cancer patients admitted to our institution. ⋯ This retrospective study showed cancer patients are at increased risk for VTE, typically with 3-4 risk factors per admission. VTEs were uncommon; however, three patients receiving heparin experienced a VTE and four had a major bleeding event. Minor bleeding rates were similar among groups.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Mar 2010
The role of the pharmacist in optimizing the use of erythropoietin stimulating agents.
With the emerging new warnings surrounding the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the pharmacist's role as health educator and risk communicator expands further to include patient scrutiny to check for eligibility and patient monitoring to check for response or toxicity. This review explores the benefits and risks linked to ESAs use, and the proposed role. ⋯ To minimize or prevent the complications associated with ESAs use, cancer patients should be adequately monitored and counseled. This highlights the importance of the pharmacist's involvement to optimize patient care.
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J Oncol Pharm Pract · Mar 2010
Comparative StudyStability of irinotecan-loaded drug eluting beads (DC Bead) used for transarterial chemoembolization.
The aim of this study was to determine the loading efficiency, physicochemical stability, and release of irinotecan-loaded DC Beads (bead size 100-300 microm, 300-500 microm) before and after mixing with nonionic contrast medium (Accupaque 300, Imeron 300, Ultravist 300) during a prolonged period of time (28 days) when stored at room temperature or refrigerated. ⋯ Irinotecan-loaded DC Beads are shown to have adequate physicochemical stability over a period of at least 28 days when stored light protected at room temperature. Due to concerns of microbiological overgrowth refrigeration should always be considered. The preparation of admixtures of irinotecan-loaded beads with contrast medium in centralized cytotoxic preparation units is not recommended, because of rapid elution of 5-10% of irinotecan from the loaded beads. Furthermore, physicians see no advantages of admixtures due to the wide variation of mixing ratios of drug-loaded beads with contrast medium. In addition varying volumes of 0.9% sodium chloride solution are to be admixed during the chemoembolization procedure.