Adverse events in bevacizumab and chemotherapy: patient management

Br J Nurs. 2009 Apr;18(7):424-8. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2009.18.7.41657.

Abstract

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is an anti-angiogenic agent recently approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in combination with paclitaxel. It is important that nurses are familiar with the side-effects associated with this agent--several of which differ from those seen with traditional chemotherapy agents--and how these can be optimally identified, monitored and managed. Side-effects associated with bevacizumab include hypertension, proteinuria, thromboembolic events, bleeding, cardiac toxicity, wound-healing complications and gastrointestinal perforations. Many of these are easily manageable, often without the need to discontinue bevacizumab therapy. This article, the second in a series, provides nurses with management recommendations for these toxicities in order to deliver optimal patient care and improve patients quality of life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Bevacizumab
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / nursing
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Drug Approval
  • Drug Monitoring / nursing
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / chemically induced
  • Nurse's Role*
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Oncology Nursing / methods*
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Proteinuria / chemically induced
  • Safety Management
  • Wound Healing / drug effects

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Bevacizumab