Essential drugs in supportive care.

Progress in cancer treatment has brought with it challenges that go beyond cure. Toxicities and morbidity are among the biggest hurdles for a cancer patient to face while hoping for the end of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Important advances have been made in the science of supportive care to address cancer treatment toxicities and complications. Nausea and vomiting, bone complications, hot flashes, and bone marrow failure are some areas where a huge impact has been made on quality of life and treatment experience. Complications that remain without good remedies await a better understanding of new targets and drugs.