Oncology Ny
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Many breast cancer patients with HER2 overexpression do not respond to initial therapy with trastuzumab (Herceptin), and the vast majority of those who initially respond to the agent develop resistance to treatment within 1 year. This review will discuss several molecular mechanisms that can lead to the development of trastuzumab resistance, including loss of PTEN, activation of alternative pathways, receptor-antibody interaction block, and circulating HER2 extracellular domain, as well as the possibility of exploring these aberrations as therapeutic targets that could help avoid or overcome resistance to trastuzumab.
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While there is no generally accepted medical definition of "futile care," many factors may play a role in the delivery of chemotherapy to patients who are unlikely to benefit. In this review, we consider the roles of both the patient and the physician in driving the provision of "futile care" and offer practical steps the oncologist can take to avoid it.
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Hot flashes negatively impacted the patient's mood, stress level, sleep, and relationship with her husband. Breathing exercises and pharmacological management with a low-dose antidepressant alleviated the problem.
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Palliative care has evolved from end-of-life care following exhaustion of curative therapy to care across the cancer-management continuum. Often initiated concurrently with curative care at the time of diagnosis, palliative care ensures both effective symptom management and the best possible quality of life in four key domains-physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. ⋯ The oncology nurse who provides palliative care does so as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes not only physicians but also can involve chaplains, massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, and other specialists. This article provides resources and reviews and highlights pertinent palliative care issues to guide oncology nurses managing newly diagnosed cancer patients.