Difference between revisions of "Postmortem Chemotherapy"
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− | '''Types | + | '''Types''' |
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The '''postmortem chemotherapy''' regimens available are varied depending on the type of metastatic cancer that killed the patient. | The '''postmortem chemotherapy''' regimens available are varied depending on the type of metastatic cancer that killed the patient. | ||
− | '''Patient Selection | + | '''Patient Selection''' |
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Candidates for '''postmortem chemotherapy''' most undergo a rigorous selection process during which they must prove their lack of functional status but that they are clearly still "a fighter."<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2016/11/hospital-morgue/ Hospital Morgue Morning Rounds Initiated After Family Insists Patient “is a Fighter”]</ref> Patients usually must undergo [[Transthoracic Echocardiogram|transthoracic echocardiogram]] (or [[Amazon Echocardiogram|TTE]]) in order to monitor for and avoid cardiotoxicity as is the case with doxorubicin-based '''postmortem chemotherapy''' regimens. | Candidates for '''postmortem chemotherapy''' most undergo a rigorous selection process during which they must prove their lack of functional status but that they are clearly still "a fighter."<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2016/11/hospital-morgue/ Hospital Morgue Morning Rounds Initiated After Family Insists Patient “is a Fighter”]</ref> Patients usually must undergo [[Transthoracic Echocardiogram|transthoracic echocardiogram]] (or [[Amazon Echocardiogram|TTE]]) in order to monitor for and avoid cardiotoxicity as is the case with doxorubicin-based '''postmortem chemotherapy''' regimens. | ||
− | '''Monitoring | + | '''Drug Monitoring''' |
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Typically, decreased patients are given '''postmortem chemotherapy''' in the outpatient setting where skilled health care professionals look for the presence of [[Vital Signs|vital signs]]. | Typically, decreased patients are given '''postmortem chemotherapy''' in the outpatient setting where skilled health care professionals look for the presence of [[Vital Signs|vital signs]]. | ||
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'''Does It Work?''' | '''Does It Work?''' | ||
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− | If '''postmortem chemotherapy''' continues its current rate of success, then by the end of 2017 100% of decreased patients should remain dead. | + | If '''postmortem chemotherapy''' continues its current rate of success, then, by the end of 2017, 100% of decreased patients should remain dead. |
Revision as of 17:31, 28 January 2017
Recently approved by the FDA, postmortem chemotherapy is a radical form of medical treatment in which "a ray of hope is offered to those who are no longer with us" by administering chemotherapy anywhere within 1 month and up to 5 years after a patient's death.[1]
Types
The postmortem chemotherapy regimens available are varied depending on the type of metastatic cancer that killed the patient.
Patient Selection
Candidates for postmortem chemotherapy most undergo a rigorous selection process during which they must prove their lack of functional status but that they are clearly still "a fighter."[2] Patients usually must undergo transthoracic echocardiogram (or TTE) in order to monitor for and avoid cardiotoxicity as is the case with doxorubicin-based postmortem chemotherapy regimens.
Drug Monitoring
Typically, decreased patients are given postmortem chemotherapy in the outpatient setting where skilled health care professionals look for the presence of vital signs.
Does It Work?
If postmortem chemotherapy continues its current rate of success, then, by the end of 2017, 100% of decreased patients should remain dead.
References