Oxaliplatin: practical guidelines for administration.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for about 11% of all new cancers in the United States and kills approximately 56,000 people each year. Although the use of antineoplastic agents has demonstrated palliation of symptoms, increased survival, and improved quality of life when compared with best supportive care, improved therapies still are needed. Oxaliplatin, released in August 2002, offers an effective expansion of the CRC treatment armamentarium. Proper dosage and administration of oxaliplatin are vital to maximizing its efficacy and safety. This article reviews administration guidelines, adverse events, side effects, and key areas for patient education.