Home > Encyclopedia of Cancer > Nausea and Vomiting

Description

Nausea and vomiting are recognized as two separate and distinct conditions. Nausea is the subjective, unpleasant feeling or urge to vomit, which may or may not result in vomiting. Vomiting is the forceful expelling of the contents of the stomach and intestines through the mouth. To some, nausea is a more distressing symptom than vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are major problems for patients being treated with cancer, with approximately 50% of patients experiencing nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer treatments even though antiemetics (anti-nausea and vomiting medications) were used. In addition, more than 50% of cancer patients experience nausea and vomiting as a result of progression of the disease, or as a result of exposure to other therapies used to treat the...