Sustained Release Granisetron
Granisetron is in a class of drugs known as serotonin 5HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking serotonin activity in the chemoreceptor trigger zone. Granisetron is used for the prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). A sustained-release formulation of granisetron was studied for its effects in patients with cancer and CINV. Because of the longer half life of this formulation, sustained-release granisetron may have improved efficacy for the prevention of delayed CINV.
Surgical Techniques
A variety of surgical and microsurgical techniques have been examined for prevention or treatment of lymphedema in patients with cancer. Techniques include harvesting tissue from nonsurgical sites, such as lymph nodes and vascular structures, and transplanting to the area operated on for tumor removal. Techniques to attempt to preserve specific veins at the time of surgery and creation of lymphatic-venous anastomosis also have been used. Surgical interventions include use of different types of surgical closure.
Supportive Care/Support Interventions
Supportive care involves the provision of emotional support informally or through structured interventions. Support interventions include activities such as general counseling related to emotional and other issues, active listening, and presence. Supportive interventions may be provided by healthcare professionals or may be structured as peer group support. Interventions can be one-on-one individualized sessions, support group sessions, or specific interventions with caregivers, families, etc.
Support Group
Support group interventions involve informal or structured peer group sessions that provide a forum for sharing experiences, information, etc., among peers. Support groups have been examined for effectiveness in patients with cancer for management of anxiety and sleep-wake disturbances.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a product applied to the skin to protect it from two types of harmful rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). The sun protection factor (SPF) number indicates a rating of the strength of skin protection, where higher numbers indicate greater protection. Sunscreen use has implications in patients with cancer for the prevention and management of skin toxicities associated with radiation therapy and skin exposure or chemotherapy.
Sucralfate
Sucralfate is an ulcer drug that has an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa. The drug causes an increase in the level of prostaglandins and binds basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), protecting it from acid degradation. It is angiogenic, increasing blood flow. Systemic use with oral administration has been studied for diarrhea, mucositis, and radiodermatitis. Topical use has been tested as an intervention for radiodermatitis.
Structured Assessment
Structured assessment involves the incorporation of standardized assessment tools into usual care practices in order to provide staff with quantitative data on patient outcomes. The effects of this approach on patient and caregiver outcomes has been examined in the topics of depression and caregiver strain and burden
Steroid for Bone Flare Pain
Steroids are a type of compound that contain characteristic chemical structures and have anti-inflammatory properties. Systemic administration of steroids has been examined for its effect on bone flare pain, a temporary acute response that can occur as a side effect of radiotherapy treatment for bone metastases.
STEPP Protocol
STEPP (Skin Toxicity Evaluation Protocol With Panitumumab) refers to a set combination of interventions aimed at the prevention of skin toxicity. The protocol began a day prior to chemotherapy administration and comprised skin moisturizer used daily, sunscreen (sun protection factor [SPF] ≥ 15 with both ultraviolet A [UVA] and ultraviolet B [UVB] protection) applied prior to going outdoors, topical steroid applied to various skin areas at bedtime, and doxycycline 100 mg taken BID.
Stellate Ganglion Block
This procedure is an injection of anesthetic into the area of the stellate ganglion for treatment of neuropathies and pain in upper extremity, thorax, face, or neck. The mechanism of action of the stellate ganglion block is not completely clear, but it is thought to work by producing peripheral vasodilation, resulting in neural inhibition in the ganglion's sphere of innervations (Lipov et al., 2008). The procedure has been studied for the management of hot flashes and sleep-wake disturbances.