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Acupoint Application Combined with Acupressure as an Adjunctive Therapy for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Published on: June 21, 2024
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Nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer
Pamela Gordon1, Susan B LeGrand1, Declan Walsh1
1The Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine(1), Section of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Oncology, Department of Solid Tumor Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute(2), Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|November 12, 2013
Summary
Nausea and vomiting are common in advanced cancer, often linked to treatment or complications. This review outlines causes and treatments for these challenging symptoms, proposing an etiology-based management protocol.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Nausea and vomiting (N&V) are prevalent in advanced cancer patients, stemming from both cancer treatments and disease progression.
- Complications like gastroparesis, bowel obstructions, and brain tumors frequently cause N&V.
- Nausea, particularly in non-obstructed cases, presents significant management challenges and patient distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse etiologies of nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer.
- To examine the range of medications utilized for managing these symptoms.
- To propose a structured, etiology-based protocol for symptom management.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of N&V in advanced cancer.
- Analysis of existing guidelines, particularly for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
- Development of a symptom management protocol based on underlying causes.
Main Results:
- Identified numerous causes of N&V, including treatment side effects and advanced cancer complications.
- Highlighted a gap in research for non-chemotherapy-induced N&V management.
- Outlined an etiological approach to guide therapeutic decisions.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of N&V in advanced cancer requires understanding the specific etiology.
- An etiology-based protocol can improve symptom control and patient quality of life.
- Further research is needed to address N&V in non-obstructed advanced cancer patients.
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