 | Author(s) | | | Shaw P and Marks A |
 | Publication | | | European Journal of Palliative Care |
 | Reference | | | Vol. 19 (5) page 142-143 |
 | Publication Date | | | October 2003 |
|  | Relevant to nurses in haematology as the paper discusses the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.
Although the paper is not specifically focused on haematology patients the issues remain the same, as haematology nurses we are all familiar with the problems of mobility, pain control and continence.
Within the paper the challenge of treatment options is discussed although no clear guidance is given the authors discuss the three main options - steroids, radiotherapy, surgery and on occasions chemotherapy.
Recognition and early treatment remain the best options for preserving neurological function and controlling pain.
A section of the paper looks at the best treatment options for the different stages of spinal destruction/compression.
This is useful in practice to guide the practitioner in offering treatment choices to patients with this debilitating progression of their disease.
Comment by: Tracey Burgoyne, Lecturer Practitioner Cancer Care, University of Central England Birmingham, 2004.
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