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Key Highlights For Patient Education Surrounding FGFR Inhibitors

Provider perspectives on the importance of education patients about potential adverse events they may experience when initiating treatment with FGFR inhibitors.

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This is a video synopsis/summary of a OncLive Insights involving: Lipika Goyal, MD; Chaundra Bishop; R. Katie Kelley, MD; and Caroline Kuhlman, NP.

Kuhlman explained that because oral FGFR inhibitors seem convenient, patients may underestimate potential adverse effects compared to intravenous chemotherapy. However, toxicities covering multiple body systems can be mild to severe, significantly impacting quality of life. Patients need understanding of what to realistically expect regarding safety and tolerability.

Kuhlman covers possible adverse effects like ocular issues, mucositis, alopecia, electrolyte changes, and hyperphosphatemia. She emphasizes sharing symptom specifics, as in what is normal vs concerning and requires prompt reporting.

She concludes that unlike intermittent chemotherapy, daily oral therapy provides no symptom breaks. Optimal preparation and early adverse effect intervention are key. Patients need full counseling on expectations, vigilance, and reporting to enable rapid support.

In summary, while convenient, oral FGFR inhibitors warrant thorough pretreatment counseling as some patients underestimate potential adverse impacts. Patients require education on adverse effects and prompt reporting for early mitigation.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by OncLive® editorial staff.

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Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO, Winterhof Family Endowed Professor in Breast Cancer, professor, Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), director, Breast Oncology and Clinical Trials Education; medical director, Cancer Infusion Services; the University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center