Optimal Management of Chemotherapy-related Adverse Events

Abstract

This review article deals with the optimal management of chemotherapy-related adverse events which are the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, neutropenia, peripheral polyneuropathy. Recent literatures are reviewed and pathogenetic mechanism and management of each of adverse events are summarized. It is not simple but complexed and wide. Most patients could be expected how much they feel the nausea before the chemotherapy. We could prescribe several types of antiemetic agent efficiently. When the patients suffered from the neutropenia after previous chemotherapy, we should closely monitor their blood cell count. And we could help them after giving the granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Diarrhea is one of big troublesome issue related with chemotherapy. We could control the diarrhea by reducing the dose of the chemotherapy and prescribing optimally loperamide. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin could make the patients feel paresthesia and numbness but it’s hard to reverse or prevent even though we use anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine), antidepressants (amitriptyline, venlafaxine), amifostine, nimodipine, vitamins and minerals.