The Psychological Benefits of Cancer Prehabilitation

Cancer prehabilitation is a whole-person approach to quality cancer care. Along with potential physical gains, patients who participate in cancer prehabilitation (interventions started prior to cancer therapies) may also benefit emotionally and socially. The Case of the Deconditioned Patient focused on the physical benefits Frank experienced as a result of attending prehabilitation before he had surgery for lung cancer. Frank’s psychological gains were no less impressive.

FDA Approves Atezolizumab in Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma

On May 18, 2016, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration gave accelerated approval to atezolizumab injection (Tecentriq™, Genentech, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Atezolizumab is a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody.

FDA Approves Nivolumab for Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

On May 17, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to nivolumab (Opdivo®, marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb) for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and post-transplantation brentuximab vedotin.

The Case of the Deconditioned Patient

Frank, a 74-year-old man, was referred to the oncology clinic for workup on a suspicious lung nodule. Frank tells Justin, the oncology nurse, that he blames himself for smoking “all these years.” He also reports that up until nine months ago, he played 18 holes of golf twice a week, but “now I just don’t have the stamina.”

Older Adults May Be Taking Dangerous Medication Combinations

More older adults are taking over-the-counter drugs and supplements with their prescription medications than ever, and as many as 15% of them may be in potentially life-threatening combinations, according to a new study reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

HHS Supports the Future of Nursing; ONS Encourages Nurse Inclusion in PFPM; National Nursing Week Recognized in Congress

Discover the important happenings in Washington, DC and around the country as ONC advocates for oncology nurses.

FDA Approves Lenvatinib Plus Everolimus in Renal Cell Carcinoma

On May 13, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved lenvatinib capsules (Lenvima®, Eisai, Inc.), in combination with everolimus, for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma following one prior antiangiogenic therapy. Lenvatinib was first approved in 2015 for the treatment of locally recurrent or metastatic, progressive, radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

Seven Simple Strategies Addressing Health Literacy

I was more than a bit nervous to make the call. After all, she was a biology professor and knew more about life on a cellular level than I could possibly fathom. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. And I was calling to educate her?

Verification Nurses Identify Chemotherapy Order Errors and Improve Patient Safety

In 1995 when a patient died from a chemotherapy overdose at a major medical center, many cancer centers began reexamining their processes for safe chemotherapy administration and putting measures in place to reduce errors.

Study Links Bladder Cancer Subtype to Breast Cancer

Researchers have found that a subtype of muscle-invasive bladder cancer shares molecular signatures with some forms of breast cancer, opening the door for new ways of treating the disease. The findings were published in the new journal JCI Insight.
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