Acute complications of chemotherapy Flashcards
What are the three stages of the cell cycle?
Stage 1: Replication of DNA and organelles
Stage 2: Mitosis (nucleus divides)
Stage 3: Cell divides
How does chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy damages the genes inside the nucleus of cells.
Some drugs damage cells at the point of splitting.
Some damage the cells while they’re making copies of all their genes before they split.
What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Nausea
D&V
Hair loss
Bleeding
Fatigue
Fever
Constipation
Pain
What is thrombocytopenia?
Low platelet count
Blood can’t clot properly
Risk of haemorrhage
Can delay/stop chemo
Complicates surgeries
What does chemo do to blood cells?
Chemotherapy temporarily reduces the rate at which blood cells are produced in your bone marrow.
What is neutropenia?
Neutropenia is a condition where you have a low number of white blood cells called neutrophils in your blood. When you have low levels of neutrophils in your blood, your immune system is weakened, making it harder for your body to fight infection.
Chemo can cause this
What is neutropenic sepsis?
70-100% of patients during the neutropenic phase after intensive chemo
Mortality rate is 2-21%
Typical signs and symptoms of sepsis may not be present
Source of infection may not be apparent
Have a high index of suspicion
May present as general deterioration or non-specific signs like confusion
What is tumour lysis syndrome?
When a large number of cells die rapidly.
Cells release their contents into the blood.
Pts with tumours are most at risk and usually happens in first week of chemotherapy.
What are the symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome?
Nausea/Vomiting
Reduced appetite
Fatigue
Dark/reduced urine
Flank pain
Muscle cramps
Palpitations
When should you have a particularly high index of suspicion of neutropenic sepsis?
1-2 weeks after chemotherapy
