5.1 Managing patients taking TKI therapy
Patients starting on TKI therapy need regular haematological monitoring, at least weekly for the first four weeks and then monthly for the next three months, to detect haematological remission and cytopenias from therapy.
Outside of clinical trials, peripheral blood monitoring of the BCR-ABL level should be undertaken at three months, and then every three months indefinitely to help assess treatment response and aid adherence. In patients with stable low BCR-ABL tests and reliable compliance, testing every four months may be reasonable.
Haematologist reviews should continue on a three- to six-monthly basis, either in person or via telehealth if appropriate.
Close liaison between the patient, general practitioner and haematologist is required to optimise or reduce cardiovascular risk factors while on therapy. A team including a haematologist, general practitioner and specialist nurse is optimal to support patient education and adherence and to manage side effects.
Patients should be informed about common side effects of TKI medication so they can recognise these as they occur. Depending on the TKI, patients should be educated about the warning signs of potentially serious side effects including pancreatitis, cardiovascular disease, pleural effusions and pulmonary hypertension.
The transition from active treatment to post-treatment care is critical to long-term health. In some cases, people will need ongoing, hospital-based care, and in other cases a shared follow-up care arrangement with their general practitioner may be appropriate. This will vary depending on the type and stage of cancer and needs to be planned.
Shared follow-up care involves the joint participation of specialists and general practitioners in the planned delivery of follow-up and survivorship care. A shared care plan is developed that outlines the responsibilities of members of the care team, the follow-up schedule, triggers for review, plans for rapid access into each setting and agreement regarding format, frequency and triggers for communication.
After completing initial treatment, a designated member of the multidisciplinary team (most commonly nursing or medical staff involved in the patient’s care) should provide the patient with a needs assessment and treatment summary and develop a survivorship care plan in conjunction with the patient. This should include a comprehensive list of issues identified by all members of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient’s care and by the patient. These documents are key resources for the patient and their healthcare providers and can be used to improve communication and care coordination.
The treatment summary should cover, but is not limited to:
- the diagnostic tests performed and results
- diagnosis including stage, prognostic or severity score
- tumour characteristics
- treatment received (types and dates)
- current toxicities (severity, management and expected outcomes)
- interventions and treatment plans from other health providers
- potential long-term and late effects of treatment
- supportive care services provided
- follow-up schedule
- contact information for key healthcare providers.
