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Current Oncology
Volume 17
Issue 2
10.3747/co.v17i2.507
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Article

Feasibility of Administering Zoledronic Acid in Palliative Patients Being Cared for in the Community: Results of a Pilot Study

by
H.K. Marr
1,2,3,*,
C.R. Stiles
3,
M.A. Boyar
2,
T.C. Braun
1,2,
N.A. Hagen
1,2,3,
C. Janzen
2,
L.M. Whitten
2 and
J.L. Pereira
4
1
Division of Palliative Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
2
Palliative Care Program, Alberta Health Services – Calgary Zone, Calgary, AB, Canada
3
Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Cancer Corridor, Calgary, AB, Canada
4
Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, and Division of Palliative Care, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2010, 17(2), 69-74; https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v17i2.507
Submission received: 1 March 2010 / Revised: 5 March 2010 / Accepted: 13 March 2010 / Published: 1 April 2010

Abstract

Tumour-induced hypercalcemia (TIH) and pain from bone metastases are common complications of advanced malignancy and have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Many cancer patients in the advanced stages of their palliative illness prefer to avoid hospitalization and to receive their care in the community setting. This small open-label prospective pilot study explored the feasibility of administering zoledronic acid intravenously in the community setting (home and residential hospices). It enrolled a convenience sample of 12 patients with advanced cancer and TIH (n = 7), malignant bone pain (n = 3), or TIH and malignant bone pain (n = 2). The mean duration of infusion was 15 minutes (range: 14–30 minutes). The total nursing time required was 95 minutes, and the mean total cost, including nursing time, travel time, and drug costs was $708.97 per infusion. This cost was compared with costs for clodronate and pamidronate ($402.52 and $406.12 respectively). Calcium fell from a mean of 2.97 mmol/L on day 0 to 2.63 mmol/L on day 4 and to 2.54 mmol/L on day 10. Delirium resolved in 2 of 5 patients with TIH-associated delirium. Intravenous zoledronic acid administered in the community to palliative patients at the end of life is feasible and safe, and the short duration of infusion offers advantages to patients and nursing resources alike. The higher cost of zoledronic acid per infusion may be offset by the advantage of its short infusion time.
Keywords: palliative care; bisphosphonates; hypercalcemia; bone pain; home care; hospice care palliative care; bisphosphonates; hypercalcemia; bone pain; home care; hospice care

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Marr, H.K.; Stiles, C.R.; Boyar, M.A.; Braun, T.C.; Hagen, N.A.; Janzen, C.; Whitten, L.M.; Pereira, J.L. Feasibility of Administering Zoledronic Acid in Palliative Patients Being Cared for in the Community: Results of a Pilot Study. Curr. Oncol. 2010, 17, 69-74. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v17i2.507

AMA Style

Marr HK, Stiles CR, Boyar MA, Braun TC, Hagen NA, Janzen C, Whitten LM, Pereira JL. Feasibility of Administering Zoledronic Acid in Palliative Patients Being Cared for in the Community: Results of a Pilot Study. Current Oncology. 2010; 17(2):69-74. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v17i2.507

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marr, H.K., C.R. Stiles, M.A. Boyar, T.C. Braun, N.A. Hagen, C. Janzen, L.M. Whitten, and J.L. Pereira. 2010. "Feasibility of Administering Zoledronic Acid in Palliative Patients Being Cared for in the Community: Results of a Pilot Study" Current Oncology 17, no. 2: 69-74. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v17i2.507

APA Style

Marr, H. K., Stiles, C. R., Boyar, M. A., Braun, T. C., Hagen, N. A., Janzen, C., Whitten, L. M., & Pereira, J. L. (2010). Feasibility of Administering Zoledronic Acid in Palliative Patients Being Cared for in the Community: Results of a Pilot Study. Current Oncology, 17(2), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.v17i2.507

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