ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To present current developments in the specific management of extravasations of antineoplastic agents after the extravasation. METHOD: We conducted a search in PubMed, Medline and IDIS-Iowa to identify papers written in English or Spanish that described new specific measures for the management of extravasations. We also reviewed the references given in these papers and recent tertiary sources related to oncology or cytostatic agents. The search covered the period between 1997 and 2010. RESULTS: There are only specific measures for the treatment of extravasations of 22 cytostatic agents. These measures are presented for each cytostatic agent, according their drug group. CONCLUSIONS: Although currently there is no general consensus on the specific management of antineoplastic agents after extravasation, this review outlines the information collected and published so far, so that it may be of use to any national health centre where cytostatic drugs are prescribed, handled or administered.
