2.1 Chemotherapy - Introduction

Question 1

What is chemotherapy?

Answer 1

Chemotherapy is a cytotoxic drug, which targets rapidly dividing cells…
- Damaging cellular DNA which
- Inhibits cellular division
- Leading to cell death

Question 2

Time

How might side effects be classified?

Answer 2

Side effects which occur:
- Immediately…In Days
- Early…In Days to weeks
- Late - In Weeks to months
- Delayed In months to years

Question 3

What 4 chemotherapy related side effects might occur immediately on administration?

Answer 3

• Nausea and vomiting
• Taste and smell alteration
• Facial flushing
• Infusion realated reaction

Question 4

GI; Blood, Skeletal, CNS, Skin.

What are 9 chemotherapy related side effects which might have an early onset?

Answer 4

Gastrointestinal
- Mucositis
- Nausea & vomiting
- Diarrhoea

Blood
- Neutropaenia
- Thrombocytopaenia

Skeletal
- Arthralgia & Myalgia

CNS
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fatigue

Skin
- Rash

Question 5

What are 3 chemotherapy related side effects which may have a Lateonset

Answer 5

• Anaemia
• Alopecia
• Nail changes

Question 6

What are 3 chemotherapy related side effects which may have a delayed onset

Answer 6

• Fertility issues
• Cardiotoxicity
• Pulmonary toxicity

Question 7

Cell cycle

What broadly are the two classes of chemotherapy

Answer 7

• Non cell cycle specific
• Cell cycle specific

Question 8

What are the 5 different classes of chemotherapy?

Answer 8

• Alkylating agents
• Antimtabolites
• Topoisomerase inhbitors
• Mitotic inhibitors
• Anti tumour antibiotics