Multidisciplinary approach to the management of capecitabine-associated hand foot syndrome in cancer patients receiving capecitabine plus oxaliplatin and bevacizumab for advanced colorectal cancer

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the management of adverse reactions in patients receiving initial capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CapeOX) and bevacizumab (BV) therapy by a team consisting of doctors, pharmacists, and a nurse. Methods: The study included 30 patients with advanced recurrent colorectal cancer whose initial therapy was CapeOX + BV. Each member of the multidisciplinary team had predefined tasks. The team held meetings weekly to decide on measures to be taken against adverse reactions at the upcoming outpatient visit. At these meetings, the nurse provided information obtained by weekly telephone support. Treatment outcomes and the incidence of adverse reactions were examined. Additionally, the effectiveness of telephone support provided by the nurse in terms of patient satisfaction was evaluated by questionnaire. Results: The response and disease control rates were 66.7% and 96.7%, respectively. Grade 2 hand-foot syndrome occurred in 10.0% of the patients, none of these reactions being Grade 3 or greater. All patients were satisfied with telephone support. Conclusions: Team management of adverse reactions in patients receiving CapeOX + BV therapy resulted in increased disease control rates and reduced the incidence of adverse events compared with a control group. Telephone support provided by the nurse contributed to improved patient satisfaction and provision of additional information to healthcare professionals.

Keywords

• capeox
• team management
• telephone support
• hand-foot syndrome
• colorectal cancer