Overall Purpose

This activity—designed as a series of 4 e-newsletters—will present the latest developments in the care of older adults with hematologic malignancies to facilitate state-of-the-art medical and nursing care. Promoting evidenced-based practice guidelines will improve integration of new therapies into clinical practice, thereby affecting patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life. The activity’s faculty present data and concepts specific to the unique needs of older adults as applied to patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and multiple myeloma (MM).

Intended Audience

This activity is intended for oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, as well as other health care professionals interested in the care of elderly patients with hematologic malignancies.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner should be better able to

• Explain the epidemiology of hematologic malignancies in the elderly


• Identify unique needs of the older adult with a hematologic malignancy


• Outline recent clinical trials that include elderly patients with hematologic malignancies


• Discuss treatment of the older adult with selected hematologic malignancies (MDS, CLL, MM, and NHL) and potential treatment side effects

Supported by an educational grant from Celgene Corporation.

Issue 1: Common Hematologic Malignancies in the Elderly: Removing Age as a Barrier to Effective Treatment (covering MDS, CLL, MM, and NHL)

An e-newsletter based on data presented at the satellite symposium to be held in conjunction with the 35th Annual Oncology Nursing Society Congress on May 14, 2010, for oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, as well as other health care professionals interested in the care of elderly patients with hematologic malignancies.

[go to this CE Offering]

Issue 2: Multiple Myeloma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Managing Peripheral Neuropathy, Venous Thromboembolic Events, and Renal Effects

[go to this CE Offering]

Issue 3: Non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin Lymphomas, With Discussion of Fatigue, Infectious Complications, and Hypersensitivity

[go to this CE Offering]

Issue 4: MDS and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), with discussion of the management of myelosuppression, blood products, and oral medications

[go to this CE Offering]

Program Materials to Download

• Faculty slide presentations


• International Working Group (IWG) Response Criteria for MDS


• Dose Modification Guidelines for Lenalidomide in MDS With del[5q]


• Key Concepts in the Treatment of MDS


• FDA-Approved Agents for Treatment of MDS: Drug Profiles and Safety Guidelines


• MDS Treatment Algorithm


• Risk-Based Stratification of MDS Based on the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and Proposed Modifications


• Scientific Developments in MDS


• Therapeutic Targets and Novel Therapies in MDS


• WHO Reclassification of FAB Subtypes of MDS


• Myeloma Case Study


• Potential Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Selected Scientific Developments for Multiple Myeloma


• Common Agents Used to Treat Multiple Myeloma: Adverse Events and Nursing Management


• Disease Snapshot: Multiple Myeloma

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