Expert Interviews

Experts discuss how to facilitate open communication among the patient, caregivers, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care and alignment on treatment goals.

Experts discuss how they collaborate with oncologists, nutritionists, and other specialists to manage complex cases involving advanced disease and treatment-related adverse effects (AEs) and the role of the multidisciplinary team in addressing specific patient needs, such as nutritional deficits, pain management, or psychosocial challenges.

Experts discuss how to manage fatigue, abdominal pain, and other treatment-related symptoms to maintain or improve quality of life for patients undergoing HER2-targeted therapy and share strategies for supporting patients with declining performance status (eg, ECOG performance status [PS] 2) in balancing treatment efficacy with daily functioning.

Jessie Desir, PhD, RN, AMB-BC, OCN, explained that comprehensive disease and treatment education are essential to adherence for patients with breast cancer.

Experts discuss how, discuss patient experiences with an oral chemotherapy regimen, highlighting benefits like treatment autonomy, challenges such as pill burden and gastrointestinal toxicities, and the importance of proactive side effect management and patient education.

Experts discuss treatment options for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer following progression on trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), weighing real-world data on tucatinib-capecitabine-trastuzumab versus T-DM1, considering factors such as resistance mechanisms, administration preferences, and side effect management.

Seth Eisenberg, ASN, RN, OCN, BMTCN, explained his research on a toilet cover for oncology nurses to potentially reduce exposure to infectious pathogens and hazardous drugs.

Experts discuss the most common adverse events associated with trastuzumab deruxtecan, how to effectively identify and manage them to minimize treatment interruptions, and how to monitor and address interstitial lung disease (ILD), a known potential adverse effect of trastuzumab deruxtecan.

Experts discuss Megan’s journey with HER2+ upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, highlighting key treatment strategies and challenges.

In myeloma treatment, acute CRS is a common but treatable AE associated with CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, according to a nurse practitioner.

Restaging cancer can be an unfamiliar space, but with more experience, APPs can rely less on MDs for guidance in such cases.

Experts discuss the patient case of Janet, a 58-year-old with her 2 positive metastatic breast cancer, and after 14 months on the Cleopatra regimen with taxane, Trastuzumab, and Pertuzumab, and 11 months on Tdxd. As her disease is now progressing, so she needs 3rd line treatment. But despite some fatigue, she remains active with work and Yoga and her brain, MRIs are clear.

Working with multidisciplinary teams and educating patients are key to treating patients with cancer while navigating newly approved treatments.

Working with interdisciplinary teams and nurse navigators to coordinate care across specialties is a facet of oncology nursing that may be overlooked, says an expert.

Experts discuss how to balance treatment intensity with maintaining quality of life, particularly in patients with advanced-stage disease.

Experts discuss effective communication strategies for managing patient and caregiver expectations about treatment adverse effects and their potential impact on daily life.

Patricia Jakel, MN, RN, AOCN, emphasized that the bond oncology nurses have with patients with cancer necessitates honest and often difficult conversations.

Key opinion leaders compare lorlatinib’s side effect profile to other ALK inhibitors, highlighting unique challenges and benefits observed in clinical practice.

Key opinion leaders discuss effective multidisciplinary strategies for managing the range of side effects associated with ALK inhibitors.

Jessie Desir, PhD, RN, AMB-BC, OCN, discussed the need for awareness about cancer subtypes and their prevalence in certain populations.

Staying up to date with data from trials and information from organizations dedicated to cancer research is crucial for oncology nurses and APPs.

Experts discuss the role of supportive therapies, such as antiemetics, nutritional support, and physical activity, in improving outcomes and patient comfort during treatment.

Key opinion leaders explore approaches to dose modifications or treatment pauses due to side effects, including examples where these adjustments significantly impacted patient outcomes.

Key opinion leaders examine how to manage gastrointestinal side effects in patients on lorlatinib, including preventive tips and comparisons with GI management strategies for other ALK inhibitors.

Experts discuss the most common adverse events associated with the FOLFOX regimen and effective strategies for early detection and management.

Experts discuss Robert’s journey with HER2- upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, highlighting key treatment approaches and challenges.

Key opinion leaders discuss experiences managing weight gain with lorlatinib, addressing its impact on quality of life versus treatment benefits.