Differential Diagnosis
Nausea and vomiting in cancer patients can be multi-factorial. Evaluation of symptoms should reflect this. Nausea and vomiting can have structural, psychological, chemical, metabolic or a combination of origins. When evaluating cancer patients with suspected CINV, causes such as pain, anxiety, hepatosplenomegaly, bowel obstruction, metastasis or increased ICP should also be considered. Immunocompromised and elderly patients should also be evaluated for bacterial or viral gastroenteritis as these populations may be more vulnerable to an infectious process. It is crucial to illicit onset and duration as well as any potential associated, aggravating or relieving symptoms.