Garcia Gomez, J., Perez Lopez, M.E., Alonso Bermejo, M., Escobar Alvarez, Y., & Garcia Mata, J. (2013). SEOM guide to antiemetic prophylaxis in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy 2013. Clinical & Translational Oncology, 15, 1030–1036. 

DOI Link

Purpose & Patient Population

PURPOSE: No purpose statement was identified. 
 
TYPES OF PATIENTS ADDRESSED: Patients receiving high, moderate, minimal, and refractory emetogenic chemotherapy experiencing early, late, and refractory nausea and vomiting. Preventative measures are also discussed. 

Type of Resource/Evidence-Based Process

RESOURCE TYPE: Evidence-based guideline  
 
PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT: The process of forming this guide was not described. The definition of nausea is also limited.
 
DATABASES USED: Not reported
 
KEYWORDS: Not reported
 
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Not reported
 
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Not reported

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Results Provided in the Reference

The authors provide tables summarizing the emetogenic potential of common chemotherapy agents, the National Cancer Institute's classification of emesis by intensity and severity, and an algorithm of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prophylaxis. Recommended schedules for the administration of palonosetron and dexamethasone are also provided.

Guidelines & Recommendations

No succinct list of recommendations was provided by the authors. The definition of nausea is also inconsistent with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's definition. The article describes the different types of CINV, describes the emetogenic potential of agents, and supports an algorithm to select appropriate interventions. The authors do not state their intention outright; however, this document appears to present treatment guidelines for the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology. This guide is written in a clear style and offers straightforward recommendations for the prevention and treatment of CINV. The recommendations are grounded in the evidence, although no explanation of how the evidence was retrieved is provided. It is not possible to tell if research is drawn from a suitable representation of sources to be deemed comprehensive. Forty-three references were cited ranging from 1993 to 2013. It is assumed that the recommendations are applicable towards adults and not pediatrics but this was not stated. Recommendations for refractory and salvage antiemetic therapy are provided, but it is unclear how consensus was reached for these recommendations.

Limitations

  • Limitations were not explicated by the authors.
  • Explanation of article retrieval is not provided.
  • Procedure for reaching recommendation is not provided.
  • To what degree was a consensus reached and how members resolved issues when consensus could not be reached are examples of this report’s limitations.

Nursing Implications

CINV continues to be a serious and debilitating side effect of chemotherapy for patients with cancer. Nurses should be well informed of current recommendations and guidelines for the use of 5HT3s in the prevention and treatment of CINV.