Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a nonsurgical outpatient procedure that utilizes sound waves to treat soft tissue injuries. Typically, it is used to treat plantar fasciitis .
Extended Post-Operative Antibiotics
The provision of antibiotics for days after surgery, in addition to intraoperative administration of antibiotics, was examined in patients with cancer for effectiveness in the prevention of surgical site infection.
Extended and Sustained Release Opioids
Sustained-release and extended-release opioids, which make use of time-release formulation, take effect within a specific time. Sustained-release drugs remain in the bloodstream in a stable amount for a longer time than do immediate-release opioids. As a result, patients do not have to take sustained-release medications as often as immediate-release drugs. Sustained-release opioids have been evaluated in the context of chronic cancer-related pain, peripheral neuropathy, and for the relief of dyspnea.
Expressive Writing/Emotional Disclosure/Journaling
Expressive writing/journaling is the art of putting thoughts and feelings on paper. Writing about negative emotional experiences may improve physical and psychological health, and writing about deep feeling regarding personal stressors can enhance well-being and health.
Exercise
Exercise is physical activity that involves repetitive bodily movement done to improve or maintain one or more of the components of physical fitness: cardiorespiratory endurance (aerobic fitness), muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Exercise interventions in patients with cancer have been provided as home-based, patient self-managed programs as well as supervised and unsupervised individual or group exercise sessions of varying duration and frequency.
Estrogen Replacement
Estrogens are a group of steroid compounds that are the primary female sex hormones. Estrogen replacement therapy is the provision of estrogens and has been used to treat postmenopausal symptoms. Estrogen replacement has been evaluated in patients with cancer for treatment of hot flashes. It should be noted that this is the opposite effect of hormonal treatment for cancer in which anti-estrogen agents are administered.
Erythropoiesis Stimulating Factors (ESA)
Erythropoiesis-stimulating factors (ESAs) such as erythropoetin and its synthetic alternatives (darbopoetin, erythropoetin alpha) are essential hormones that control red blood cell production, and are mainly used in the treatment of anemia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued several warnings related to the use of ESAs; related concerns included risk of increased tumor growth, decreased survival time and cardiovascular side effects. The effects of erythropoietin on fatigue and cognitive impairment have been examined in patients with cancer in the setting of anemia.
Epithelial Growth Factor
Epithelial growth factor (EGF) regulates epithelial cell proliferation, growth, and migration. In addition, it has an effect on angiogenesis for the nutritional support of tissues. Thus, EGF may have an effect on wound healing and tissue generation. EGF has been examined for effectiveness in prevention and treatment of radiodermatitis.
Epidural Analgesia
Epidural analgesia is administration of an analgesic into the epidural space of the spine. This may be done by bolus administration or infusion. This type of analgesia has been evaluated for management of acute and intractable pain in patients with cancer.
Environmental Interventions
Environmental interventions for control and prevention of infection include such things as methods for disinfection and sterilization of surfaces and equipment, use of high-efficiency particulate air filtration, positive air pressure rooms, frequency of room air exchanges, hand hygiene, and the use of standard barriers for body fluids. Guidelines for environmental precautions for patients with neutropenia have been identified by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.