A combination treatment of Xeloda and oxaliplatin (XELOX) has been shown to reduce hospital visits by over 60% in patients with early colon cancer. This results in more time for patients to spend with family and return to work, improving their quality of life.
Leading oncology experts emphasize the need for additional research among elderly cancer patients with co-morbid conditions and those taking multiple medications. They advocate for equal access to treatment options as younger patients, highlighting a lack of focus on this critical patient population.
Researchers highlight the importance of selecting an antiemetic with low potential for drug interactions in elderly cancer patients. Granisetron, a 5HT3 receptor antagonist, is considered a safe choice due to its low risk of cardiovascular toxicity and adverse interactions.
Kytril was found to be significantly more effective than dolasetron in controlling acute chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The study, led by Dr. Marianne Tan, showed that 69.2% of patients treated with Kytril experienced total control of nausea and vomiting, compared to 23.1% for dolasetron.