Site-Specific Cancer Series: Gastrointestinal Cancers

AORN Journal, July, 2008 by Karen Freeman

Site-Specific Cancer Series: Gastrointestinal Cancers

Joyce P. Griffin-Sobel, ed

Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)

2007, 112 pages

$35 ONS member/$49 non-member softcover

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In this Site Specific Series, Professor Griffin-Sobel, teamed with a physician and several nurses from various oncology centers throughout the United States, explores a deadly and somewhat preventable set of cancers. The book includes an excellent review of anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Each area is described in great detail and includes several points that may not have been covered in many anatomy and physiology classes.

Genetic predisposition to certain cancers is covered in depth, as are current screening and emerging screening technologies. The authors present many statistics that will benefit nurses interested in research, including statistics on current chemoprevention strategies for cancer of the colon and statistics regarding the morbidity and mortality rates of the various cancers.

The book contains excellent cancer staging information using tables and illustrations. Curative and palliative treatments are discussed and illustrated, as are details of the possible complications of each treatment. Surgical interventions, risks, and nursing management topics are presented in an easy-to-read table. Other tables show common side effects of cancer treatments and the causes and management of those treatments. The tables are printed on colored pages so they can be easily found for reference.

The chapter "Nursing care of patients with gastrointestinal cancers" is excellent. It will be particularly interesting for nurses caring for patients who undergo endoscopic procedures and providing patient care after the procedure. Patient education and nursing implications for various procedures are also presented in tables.

The final chapter addresses treatment and management of symptoms for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. The book strongly emphasizes proper nutrition and explores reasons nutrition status may be difficult to maintain. The causes and treatments for alterations in bowel evacuation are explored. Psychosocial and palliative care as well as pain control issues are also briefly discussed. The book includes a lot of statistics that can be overwhelming to readers; however, the information contained in the rest of the book makes it a good addition to an oncology nurse's library and an acceptable reference for perioperative nurses.

KAREN FREEMAN

RN, BSN, CNOR

STAFF NURSE AND RN FIRST ASSISTANT

CORTLAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

CORTLAND, NY