Incorporating new data on colorectal cancer into nursing practice

Treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) has seen major advances, resulting in longer survival times for many patients. New data about improvements can appear daily in the form of updated journal articles, news reports, and study results reported at national and international oncology meetings. Practicing oncology nurses have a responsibility to keep current on treatments and symptom-management strategies for patients with cancer. Monoclonal antibodies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are approved in metastatic CRC, and new data are helping to define appropriate patients. Additionally, symptom-management strategies for commonly administered agents in CRC have been refined for EGFR inhibitor-associated rash and neurotoxicity; new information on hypersensitivity and cetuximab also has been reported. This article will discuss the role of the oncology nurse in the management of patients with CRC.