Optimizing dose intensity for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

The goal of this educational initiative is to improve clinician knowledge and self-reported performance with the following aspects of clinical care for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma:

1. The targeted agents currently approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma have unique adverse event profiles that can pose a particular challenge in patients with comorbid conditions or poor prognostic factors. To improve patient quality of life and enhance treatment outcomes, all members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team need to be knowledgeable about common adverse effects and how to monitor and manage these toxicities.

2. Care for patients undergoing treatment with these medications should include education about the therapy, potential side effects, drug interactions, and the need for adherence to dosing schedules to affect the optimal outcome for patients. This information will have significant impact on the quality of life and treatment outcomes for these patients. Understanding the mechanism of action of each therapy, potential adverse effects, drug interactions, and the negative impact of reductions in recommended dosage will allow oncologists and other health care providers to provide comprehensive care for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

3. Oncologists, NPs, PAs, nurses and pharmacists must counsel patients to ensure that they are aware of potential treatment-related adverse effects and understand the need to contact their health care practitioner for early intervention so that therapy can be maintained. Although severe side effects may occur in spite of effective patient education and early intervention, their incidence can be minimized with implementation of recommended side-effect management strategies.