Anticipatory nausea and vomiting among cancer patients: A Review

Abstract

Anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV), as a side-effect of cancer chemotherapy, is a well recognized phenomenon. The literature is reviewed for data on: prevalence rates, factors contributing to onset and psychological treatments used to attempt a remission in the symptoms. From the available evidence it appears that ANV is a substantial problem with one major review indicating an average combined prevalence of 32%. Although explicable using a conditioning model it has a complex aetiology with emotional and cognitive elements, as well as specific pharmacological factors, playing a role in onset. ANV appears to be responsive to psychologically-based treatment methods, with a good outcome overall. However, more process evaluation is needed in order to understand aetiologic and treatment mechanisms and to determine how best to treat cases of ANV with different aetiologies. It is considered that procedures for identifying and referring patients with ANV should be routinely incorporated into the care of cancer patients receiving repeated cycles of chemotherapy.