12
Treatment
Table 4. Emetic Risk in Adults by Site of Radiation Therapy
Risk Level
High
(>90%)
Total body
Moderate
(30%–90%)
Upper abdomen, craniospinal
Low
(10%–30%)
Brain, head and neck, thorax, pelvis
Minimal
(<10%)
Extremities, breast
Table 5. Antiemetic Administration in Adults by Radiation
Therapy Risk Category
Risk Category Dose Schedule
High: Total body irradiation
5-HT
3
receptor antagonist
a
Ondansetron 8 mg oral or 8 mg oral
dissolving tablet, or 8 mg
oral soluble film or 8 mg or
0.15 mg/kg IV
Use as prophylactic therapy.
Once daily to twice daily on
days of radiation therapy,
with first dose given before
radiation therapy. Once daily
to twice daily on day aer
each day of radiation therapy,
if radiation therapy is not
planned for that day.
Granisetron 2 mg oral or 1 mg or
0.01 mg/kg IV
Use as prophylactic therapy.
Once daily on days of
radiation therapy, before
radiation therapy. Once
daily on day aer each day of
radiation therapy, if radiation
therapy is not planned for
that day.
Corticosteroid
Dexamethasone 4 mg oral or IV Use as prophylactic therapy.
Once daily on days of
radiation therapy, before
radiation therapy. Once daily
on day following each day of
radiation therapy, if radiation
therapy is not planned for
that day.
