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Mucositis/Stomatitis
Stomatitis (also known as mucositis or mouth sores) describes a common side effect of certain anti-cancer drugs (e.g. methotrexate, sunitinib, afatinib, cytarabine, fluorouracil), radiation therapy, or a combination of both.
Stomatitis (also known as mucositis or mouth sores) describes a common side effect of certain anti-cancer drugs (e.g. methotrexate, sunitinib, afatinib, cytarabine, fluorouracil), radiation therapy, or a combination of both.
General Terms related to Oral Oncology Treatments.
General Terms related to Oral Oncology Treatments.
ORAL ONCOLOGY TREATMENT TERMS ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Chemotherapy treatment cycle A course of treatment that is repeated on a regular schedule with periods of rest between. For example, treatment for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest may be considered one treatment cycle. Hormone therapy This treatment affects hormone production. Hormones can cause certain cancers to grow (e.g., prostate and breast cancer). Hormones or other medicines may be given to block the body’s natural hormones, helping to slow or stop the growth of cancer. It is also called endocrine therapy, hormonal therapy, and hormone treatment. Medication adherence The extent to which patients take medicines as ordered by healthcare providers Oral chemotherapy Treatment with medicines given by mouth to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing Targeted therapy This type of treatment uses medicine to identify and attack specific types of cancer cells. It may cause less harm to healthy cells. There are many types of targeted therapies. Some block the action of certain enzymes, proteins, or molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells. Other types help the immune system kill cancer cells or deliver toxic substances directly to cancer cells and kill them. Targeted therapies may have fewer side effects than other types of cancer treatment. Bibliography National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). National Cancer Institute dictionary of cancer terms. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/ dictionaries/cancer terms Osterberg, L., & Blaschke, T. (2005). Adherence to medication. New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 487–497. https://doi.org/10.1056/ NEJMra05010
How should I handle my drug before I take it? General Guidlines for the Safe Handling of Oral Chemotherapy.
How should I handle my drug before I take it? General Guidlines for the Safe Handling of Oral Chemotherapy.
SAFE HANDLING OF ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION How should I handle my drug before I take it? ɋ Wash your hands before and after touching the drug. ɋ Only you or a caregiver should handle your chemotherapy. Do not let anyone else touch the drug. Ɉ If your caregiver handles your drug, he or she should wear gloves. ɋ Never break, crush, chew, or open your tablets or capsules unless your doctor tells you to do so. How should this drug be stored? ɋ Find a place in your home to store your oral chemotherapy that is separate from your other prescriptions and overthe counter medicines. ɋ Store your drug in a place with a controlled temperature that is not in direct sunlight. Be sure children and pets cannot reach your pills. ɋ Read the drug package and any included papers. Make sure to look for any storage instructions for your drug. Some drugs should be kept in the refrigerator. What should I do if another person or a pet swallows or is exposed to my drug? ɋ Keep calm. ɋ Flush the area with water, if the skin was exposed. ɋ Call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1 800 222 1222. What should I do with leftover drugs if my treatment is changed or stopped? ɋ Do not put chemotherapy drugs in the garbage* or down the toilet. ɋ Store your oral chemotherapy in a safe place until you can return it. ɋ State or local medication disposal sites or drop boxes are available as below: *If you need to dispose of oral chemotherapy quickly, follow these instructions: ɋ Mix whole pills (do not crush or open) in used coffee grounds or cat litter. ɋ Place the mixture in a container (e.g., empty laundry detergent or bleach bottle) and put the lid on tightly. Alternatively, double bag the mixture in plastic storage bags. ɋ Place the sealed container in your household trash. Additional instructions
SPECIALTY PHARMACY INSURANCE TERMS ORAL CHEMOTHERAPY EDUCATION Appeal An appeal is a request for your health insurance to go back and review a decision that denies a drug or service. It is often needed if your health insurance denies a prior authorization. Coinsurance This is the percent of the cost for a health service or drug that you pay after you’ve paid your deductible. For example, you may have to pay 20% coinsurance for each drug after you have paid your deductible. Copayment (“copay”) A copay is a fixed amount you pay for a covered healthcare service after you’ve paid your deductible. For example, you may have to pay a $20 copay for each prescription after you have paid your deductible. Deductible A deductible is the amount you pay for covered healthcare services before your insurance plan starts to pay for these same services. If you have a $1,000 deductible, you would need to pay $1,000 of the covered services before your insurance starts paying. Formulary A formulary is a list of preferred drugs covered by a health plan that offers drug benefits. It is also called a drug list. Grant Grants are given by nonprofit companies to help with the cost for drug coinsurance, copays, deductibles, health insurance premiums, and other selected out of pocket healthcare costs. The availability of these may vary based on the disease or medicine. Patient assistance program (PAP) These programs are created to help patients who lack health insurance or drug coverage or are unable to pay for their medicine. They often are offered by drug companies to give low cost or free medicines to patients who qualify and do not have Medicare or Medicaid. Prior authorization A prior authorization is a choice by your health insurance that a healthcare service, treatment plan, or prescription drug is medically needed. It may also be called preauthorization, prior approval, or precertification. Your health insurance may require this for certain services before you get them. It is not a promise that your health insurance will cover the cost. Bibliography Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy. (2016). The AMCP format for formulary submissions (version 4.0). Retrieved from http://www.amcp.org/ FormatV4/ American Pharmacists Association. (n.d.). Pharmacy benefit management. Retrieved from https://www.pharmacist.com/sites/default/files/files/ Profile 24 PBM SDS FINAL 090707.pdf HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Glossary. Retrieved from https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary National Council on Patient Information and Education. (n.d.). Understanding prescription assistance programs (PAPs). Retrieved from http:// www.bemedwise.org/documents/paps.pd