The role of nursing in the management of patients with renal and hepatic cancers: a systematic literature review

Purpose This systematic literature review identified publications evaluating the role and benefits of nurse-led care in the management of patients with a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance. Structured searches of the PubMed database and the EMCare nursing and allied health database were conducted (August 11, 2021). Eligible publications were English-language, full-text, peer-reviewed journal articles featuring HCC and/or RCC populations, interventions involving nurses, any/no comparators, and reporting any related healthcare outcomes. Data on study design and size, patient characteristics and impact of nursing care were extracted. Results Fifty-six relevant articles were identified (43 on HCC; 10 on RCC; 3 on HCC and RCC). The literature described the role and impact of oncology nurses across a variety of care functions, including in health promotion and screening, care coordination, holistic oversight, symptom and adverse event monitoring and management, and emotional support. Twenty-nine empirical studies/case reports were identified demonstrating benefit of nurse-led interventions in HCC/liver cancer (n = 28) and RCC (n = 1). Benefits were achieved through: improved patient participation in screening programs; reduced time to diagnosis; improved treatment adherence, reduced treatment complications, dose reductions and outpatient visits, and potential cost savings. Conclusions The oncology nurse plays a multifaceted role in the care of patients with HCC and RCC, but more evidence from nurse-led interventions is required to guide optimal multidisciplinary care of patients with these conditions