Oral therapies in digestive oncology (Review)

Abstract

Targeted therapy and oral chemotherapy indications are increasing in the realm of digestive oncology. Oral intake of cancer agents is sometimes compulsory (no i.v. equivalent) or is preferred by the patient or the physician. Although oral chemotherapy facilitates the treatment of oncology patients, the treatment diversity, risk of pharmaceutical interactions and monitoring of side effects are potentially challenging and need to be fully acknowledged by the physician. We offer here a literature review of the indications, doses, side effects and monitoring of every oral therapy indicated in Digestive Oncology. We suggest a prescription algorithm including therapeutic education by the physician or a trained nurse, and pharmaceutical counseling.

Keywords: oral therapy; cancer; digestive oncology; pharmaceutical counselling; therapeutic education.