Mechanistic approach to the management of cancer-related nausea and vomiting in a palliative care resource-limited setting.

BACKGROUND

Nausea and vomiting are two interrelated distressing symptoms experienced by patients with malignancies. They are multifactorial in aetiology.

CASE PRESENTATION

A middle-aged woman diagnosed with bilateral ovarian malignancy had undergone chemotherapy and was suffering nausea and vomiting, and was responding to basic therapeutic measures.

CASE MANAGEMENT

She was resistant to treatment with metoclopramide that was commenced by the oncology team, as for any patient with nausea and vomiting. This report examines a 'mechanistic' approach to nausea management and life-style modifications.

CASE OUTCOME

Within 2 days of the evidence-based revision of her management plan, the patient expressed that she had experienced a significant symptomatic relief and an improvement in her general wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

The early identification of the most probable causative factors of nausea and vomiting in patients with advanced malignancies will lead to significant improvements in their quality of life and save time and resources.