OPTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED EMESIS

PURPOSE: The incidence and duration of chemotherapy-induced emesis, pa thophysiology of the emetic response, and antiemetic-treatment of opti ons are reviewed. OVERVIEW: Nausea and vomiting are among the most com mon and debilitating side effects of cancer chemotherapy. If not contr olled, these side effects may interfere with the delivery, of potentia lly life-saving treatment. Acute, delayed, and anticipatory nausea and vomiting may be prevented by appropriate antiemetic therapy. Drug sel ection is based on the emetogenicity of the patient's cancer treatment and potency of the antiemetic agent. Efficacy and safety of the antie metic regimen are often improved by combining agents with different me chanisms of action. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: By preventing and controlli ng chemotherapy-induced emesis, clinicians may improve cancer patients ' functional status and quality of life significantly. Improved tolera bility may lead to greater patient acceptance of chemotherapy and prev ent premature withdrawal from or cessation of treatment. Controlling c hemotherapy-induced emesis also helps to decrease the direct and indir ect costs of managing cancer.