Patient-centered management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND

Oncology providers frequently underestimate the incidence of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and patients often are reluctant to report symptoms. Inadequate patient-provider communication is a significant barrier to optimal management of this debilitating toxicity.

METHODS

The author reviews relevant published data and methods to optimize the clinical care of patients receiving chemotherapy with moderate-to-high emetogenic potential.

RESULTS

Patient reticence plus physician expectations that patients will report symptoms accurately lead to lapses in communication and suboptimal clinical care.

CONCLUSIONS

Communication strategies should serve to encourage patients to share the responsibility for establishing goals of therapy and understanding the risks and benefits of their selected antiemetic regimen, thereby becoming active participants in their own cancer care.