Summary of Presentations from the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2010): Focus on Supportive Care Issues Related to Lung Cancer

Background:Patients with advanced cancer, particularly of the lung, frequently experience deteriorating physical health. Supportive care measures help ensure optimal quality of life during difficult psychologic and social situations. Research in the area of supportive care in patients with cancer should be made a priority.Methods:This review summarizes the findings from selected supportive care studies presented at the recently concluded 46th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.Discussion:Topics discussed include the use of a single dose of fosaprepitant for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, statins to lower the incidence of venous thromboembolic events, fentanyl pectin nasal spray for cancer-related pain, and a closer look at the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with cancer.