INCIDENCE OF NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIOTHERAPY: OBSERVATIONS FROM SUPER-SPECIALITY HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND: Nausea and vomiting is a debilitating side effect in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At times this also affects the planned treatment schedule and the outcome. The present study was conducted to assess the incidence of acute nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy METHODS: This was a prospective study and was carried out in a super specialty cancer hospital from June to July 2013. The incidence of nausea and vomiting were documented in 93 cancer patients requiring curative chemotherapy or radiotherapy after a week of treatment initiation. RESULTS: Majority of the patients were males, between the age group of 51 to 60 years, afflicted by cancers in the head and neck region and undergoing curative treatment. Diabetes was the most common co morbidity. The results of the study indicated that patients having co morbidities; undergoing chemotherapy or chemo radiotherapy were having more severe incidence of nausea and vomiting. From a gender perspective, females undergoing treatment were having more nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in spite of adhering to the stipulated anti-emesis guidelines, the chemotherapy and chemo-irradiation-induced nausea and vomiting is a problem and needs careful monitoring.