What Researchers Did
This review summarized existing knowledge on how to prevent and treat tissue damage caused by chemotherapy drugs leaking out of veins.
What They Found
The review found that most chemotherapy drugs can cause local tissue injury if they leak from the vein. Standard treatments involve maintaining the intravenous line, applying cold or warm compresses, and using specific antidotes like sodium thiosulfate for nitrogen mustard, dimethylsulfoxide for anthracyclines, and hyaluronidase for vinca alkaloids. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was identified as a new treatment option for doxorubicin extravasations at the time of the review.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
As a review published in 2006, this study summarizes existing research up to that point, meaning it does not include more recent advancements or findings in the treatment of chemotherapy extravasations.