Clinical journal of oncology nursing
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The use of oral chemotherapy is expected to more than double in the next several years. With the increase in use of oral chemotherapy and in patient responsibility, the role of the oncology nurse must change to ensure proper management. Nurses must teach patients how to correctly and safely take oral chemotherapy, help manage side effects, and research and monitor complications such as medication and food interactions, cost issues, safety, and patient adherence.
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This article reviews clinical data on adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech, Inc.) for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer. Published articles were searched via PubMed (1985-2009), and abstracts were located from meeting books or search engines of congress Web sites (1994-2009). ⋯ Trastuzumab has a favorable safety profile; levels of cardiac dysfunction were acceptable in all adjuvant trials, and cardiac dysfunction was manageable in most cases. Awareness of the clinical data will help nurses identify patients eligible for adjuvant trastuzumab, familiarize them with treatment and cardiac monitoring plans, and provide them with information to help advise, treat, and support patients from diagnosis through completion of therapy.