Abstract
Tumor Size Reduction after Lu-177-DOTATATE (Lutathera®) Treatment in Patients with Inoperable Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma: The Role of NursingAssumpta Ude, Frank I. Lin, Karel Pacak, Ejigayehu Demissie. Clinical Center Nursing Department, Molecular Imaging Program NCI, Endocrine Service Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. Background: Nursing management of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) undergoing treatment trial with radiopharmaceutical medication has unpredictable clinical outcomes. Clinical Case: A 52-year old woman with inoperable metastatic PCC/PGL was admitted into protocol 17-C-0087 after poor response to various chemotherapies. Patient was treated in the endocrine nursing unit with 200 mCi of Lu-177-DOTATATE (Lutathera®) intravenous infusion given by a radionuclide specialist every eight weeks for a total of four doses. Prior to admission, various members of the endocrine clinical nursing leadership team reviewed protocol with the medical and radiation safety team and a clinical research nurse (CRN) to ensure CRNs understand their roles and expectations to ensure patient safety during procedures and treatment. The patient was admitted on the day preceding the treatment and monitored for 48 hours afterwards. The CRN obtained comprehensive diet and medication history to determine if there is anything that may falsely elevate plasma/urinary catecholamines/metanephrines. The CRN ensured correct placement of intravenous (IV) line and proper collection of blood from IV line to increase the reliability of results. The CRN ensured that IV amino acid (Clinisol 15 %) infusion was administered 30 minutes prior to dosing to diminish renal issues. This patient had minimal side effects and no adverse events to therapy. The research team followed up the patient in clinic every month while she was on treatment, then every 3 months in the follow-up period. Recent evaluation showed this patient had stable vital signs, impalpable supraclavicular lymph node, returned to baseline physical activity with significant decrease in the size of the PCC/PGL, and reduction in serum catecholamine/metanephrine levels. Conclusion: The endocrine CRN team is critical in the assessment, monitoring, observation and education of patients and families regarding expectations during therapy which played a significant role in minimizing the patient’s side effects to therapy. Working collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary research team also contributed to patient’s favorable outcome.
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