Original Research

Associations Between Cytokine Levels and Long-Term Symptom Development in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Benjamin Stuart Schultze, PhD, MSN, MEd, ACNP

Cytokines have been associated with the development of cancer cachexia. Cytokine dysregulation is thought to cause cachexia and its associated symptoms by negatively affecting physiological homeostasis. Cytokines that have been associate...

Incidence of Hypersensitivity Reactions to Carboplatin or Paclitaxel in Patients With Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer With or Without BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutations

Andrew Garcia,(1) PharmD, Corey Frahm,(1) PharmD, Joanne M. Jeter,(2) MD, Ivo Abraham,(1) PhD, RN, Setsuko K. Chambers,(3) MD, Janiel M. Cragun,(3) MD, and Ali McBride,(1) PharmD

Abstract The association of BRCA mutation status with hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to carboplatin has gained interest in recent years, particularly in patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer. The primar...

Real-World Experience With Cabozantinib in Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis

Emily A. Lemke, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP®, Amishi Y. Shah, MD, Matthew Campbell, MD, and Nizar M. Tannir, MD

Abstract Cabozantinib inhibits tyrosine kinase activity at the MET, AXL, and VEGF receptors and is approved for front-line therapy in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Little off-protocol data exist on tolerability and respons...

Diversity Awareness and Documentation Practices Among Oncology Advanced Practice Providers

Victoria Poillucci, MSN, ACNP-BC, and Christina Z. Page, MSN, RN, AOCNP®, AGPCNP-BC

Abstract Advanced practice providers (APPs) care for widely diverse populations. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) states that bias, prejudice, and stereotyping by a health-care provider may contribute to disparities, which are associated...

Fitness and Quality of Life Outcomes of Cancer Survivor Participants in a Community Exercise Program

Rita Musanti, PhD, APN-BC, Ying-Yu Chao, PhD, GNP-BC, and Katelyn Collins, BS, RDN

Abstract Exercise is recommended for cancer survivors, as it mitigates treatment side effects and improves overall wellness. Therefore, survivors attend community-based exercise programs and report positive results, but published evalua...

Development of a Practice Standard for Monitoring Adult Patients Receiving Bone-Modifying Agents at a Community Cancer Center

Anton Nguyen,(1) PharmD, Joseph A. Kalis,(2) PharmD, BCOP, Theresa R. Sutz,(1) PharmD, and Kate D. Jeffers,(2) PharmD, BCOP

Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop a standard for monitoring outpatients starting bone-modifying agents (BMAs) at a community cancer center. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and American Society of Clinical...

Development of a Professional Practice Model for Neuro-oncology Advanced Practitioners at an Academic Medical Center: A Quality Improvement Project

Christina K. Cone,(1) DNP, APRN, ANP, AOCNP®, and Mary Lou Affronti,(2) DNP, RN, MHSc, ANP

Abstract In medicine, neuro-oncology practice falls outside the scope of established practice requirements for the specialties of neurology, medical oncology, and neurosurgery, justifying the prerequisite of specialized training to prac...

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Skin Rash Prophylaxis in a Community Oncology Setting

Micah S. Pepper,(1) PharmD, BCPS, and Megan May,(2) PharmD, BCOP

Abstract Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) can potentially cause a debilitating rash despite use of reactive-based treatment. Prophylactic rash management is a controversial rash-mitigating approach. The impact of a p...

Feasibility of Outpatient High-Dose Methotrexate Infusions in Pediatric Patients With B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract High-dose methotrexate (MTX) given in four hospitalizations during interim maintenance for high-risk pediatric B-lineage acute lymphocytic leukemia significantly improves survival but increases resource utilization. Children re...

Addressing the Symptom Management Gap in Patients With Cancer and Heart Failure Using the Interactive Voice Response System: A Pilot Study

Abstract Patients with cancer and concurrent heart failure (HF) have severe symptoms that may adversely affect patients’ quality of life in addition to limiting effective anticancer therapy. A system of frequent monitoring could alert c...

Oncology Nurse Practitioner Web Education Resource (ONc-PoWER): An Evaluation of a Web-Enhanced Education Resource for Nurse Practitioners Who Are New to Cancer Care

The nurse practitioner (NP) new to an advanced role in a specialty practice may find the orientation period challenging while expanding his or her professional knowledge base. The Oncology Nurse Practitioner Web Education Resource (ONc-P...

Psychosocial Distress as a Factor in Patients With Cancer Seeking Support: A Hermeneutic Study

As the incidence of new cases of cancer increases every year, breaking bad news to patients is very important. The purpose of our study was to explore the lived experiences of Iranian cancer patients about hearing such bad news. This qua...

Assessing the Plain Language Planner for Communication About Common Palliative Care Medications

Using plain language to communicate about oncology and palliative care medications and symptoms is recommended as a communication strategy to address patient/family health literacy demands. This study tested the Plain Language Planner©, ...

Developing a Clinical Program Based on the Needs of Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Preparing for Illness Episodes

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are part of a new category of survivors emerging in the population of Americans who are living with cancer. These survivors who have received treatment are living with an incurable cancer ...

The Relationship Between Zinc and Quality of Life in Patients With Upper GI Cancer on Chemotherapy

Abstract This is a pilot study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of zinc deficiency and how zinc levels affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancers receiving systemic chemotherapy. The data col...

A Descriptive, Longitudinal Study of Quality of Life and Perceived Health Needs in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract Patients with head and neck cancer have numerous concerns and symptoms in the first year of posttreatment survivorship and are especially vulnerable at the end of treatment and 1 month posttreatment. This article shares the fin...

Experiences of Nurse Practitioners in Communicating Bad News to Cancer Patients

How oncology practitioners communicate with patients has a strong impact on quality health care. Good communication facilitates positive experiences for both practitioners and patients alike, yet many practitioners report they are inadeq...

Beyond BRCA: A Pilot Program to Assess and Improve Knowledge of Pharmacogenomic Testing Among Advanced Practitioners in a Breast Cancer Treatment Setting

To provide the best available evidence-based care to their patients, advanced practitioners (APs) must become proficient in genomic competencies and remain informed regarding the availability of pharmacogenomic tests. Databases, such as ...

Nurse Communication About Goals of Care

Abstract Conversations about goals of care with the patient and family are a critical component of advanced practice in oncology. However, there are often inadequate team structures, training, or resources available to assist advanced p...

Clinically Relevant Four-Level Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Patients With Various Types of Cancer

The purpose of this study was to identify the association between clinically relevant four-level cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QOL). This secondary data analysis included 152 participants who completed both the 0 to 1...

Multidisciplinary Specialty Teams: A Self-Management Program for Patients With Advanced Cancer

Abstract Self-management has been shown to be an effective intervention to enable and empower patients with chronic illness to manage their health. Taking Early Action to Manage Self (TEAMS) is such an intervention, providing education ...

Subcutaneous Administration of Bortezomib: A Pilot Survey of Oncology Nurses

Subcutaneous (SC) administration of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was approved in the United States and European Union in 2012. There is limited guidance regarding how to administer SC bortezomib and a general lack of clear directi...

Evaluating a Sexual Health Patient Education Resource

Abstract This article shares the findings of an evaluation of a patient teaching resource for sexual health entitled Everything Nobody Tells You About Cancer Treatment and Your Sex Life: From A to Z, which was accomplished through syste...

Postthoracotomy Pain Syndrome Following Surgery for Lung Cancer: Symptoms and Impact on Quality of Life

Abstract Postthoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a common complication following thoracic surgery. Most studies examining the influence of PTPS on patient-reported symptoms include few patients managed using a minimally invasive approac...

Top Information Need Priorities of Older Adults Newly Diagnosed With Active Myeloma

Prioritizing patients’ information needs maximizes efficiency. This study examined the information sources and priorities in a sample of older adults newly diagnosed with symptomatic myeloma requiring immediate therapy. An association an...

A Tailored Nurse Coaching Intervention for Oral Chemotherapy Adherence

Abstract Although patients frequently express a preference for oral medications, compliance to these medications varies. Patients often have difficulty adhering to their medication schedules due to lack of understanding, inadequate supp...

Improving Surgical Outcomes in Pancreatic Surgery With Preoperative Nutrition

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the relationship between preoperative physical status and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing Whipple resection, and (2) to determine if the use of specialized immunonutrition wit...

Improving Pain Management at the Nursing Education Level: Evaluating Knowledge and Attitudes

Unmanaged pain is a prevalent problem faced by many cancer patients. One part of this problem centers on a lack of emphasis on pain management in the undergraduate nursing curriculum. This study examined the knowledge and attitudes of 41...

Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Paclitaxel and Docetaxel: An Evaluation and Comparison of Symptoms

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence, severity, distress, and timing of neuropathic symptoms in cancer patients receiving taxanes and to explore neuropathy-related interference with activities. In this descriptive, cro...

Predictors of Practice Patterns for Lymphedema Care Among Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses

Lymphedema, a debilitating and chronic condition, is considered to be one of the most distressing adverse effects of cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to understand the practice patterns in lymphedema care and identify pred...

Nurse Self-Evaluation of Assessment of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Cancer

The focus of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical implementation of a standardized assessment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) by registered nurses in patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. A t...