A retrospective review of antiemetic use for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric oncology patients at a tertiary care center

摘要

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are the most dreaded and distressing side effects for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. These side effects have a significant impact on the patients quality of life and can interfere with their ability to receive intensive chemotherapy regimens. With the recent advances in antiemetic pharmacotherapy and supportive care, the current treatments for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, when used appropriately, have become highly effective in mitigating these adverse effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current practice involving antiemetic treatment in newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients at our center. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients who were less than 14 years of age receiving their first cycle of inpatient chemotherapy. The data abstracted included the following: age, gender, type of cancer, chemotherapy regimen, emetogenic risk and level, prescribed prophylactic antiemetic regimen, incidence of breakthrough emesis, and breakthrough antiemetic medications used. Emetogenic risk was classified based on published guidelines into low, moderate, or high emetogenic chemotherapy, and a scoring system to determine the emetogenic level of combined chemotherapy agents was followed to monitor the efficacy of the antiemetic regimens. Clinical effectiveness was assessed based on breakthrough emesis. Results: A total of 49 patients were eligible for the study. High emetogenic chemotherapy was administered in 28/49 (57.1%) and moderate emetogenic chemotherapy was administered in 21/49 (42.9%) patients. Only 10/49 (20.4%).