Cancer

Question 1

basic pathophysiology of cancer

Answer 1

uncontrolled cell growth

Question 2

causes of cancer

Answer 2

1). extrinsic: carcinogens 2). Intrinsic: genetic mutations/DNA sequences, viral agents, chronic irritation, genetic predisposition, oncogenes

Question 3

General stages of cell lifecycle

Answer 3

G0: cell at rest G1: Pre-DNA S: DNA synthesis G2: pre-mitosis Mitosis

Question 4

cell-cycle-specific (CCS) agents do what?

Answer 4

target specific phase of cell cycle

Question 5

what are CCS agents more effective on?

Answer 5

rapidly dividing tumors

Question 6

dose frequency of CCS agents

Answer 6

continuous infusion or frequent doses

Question 7

cell-cycle nonspecific (CCN) agents do what?

Answer 7

target the cell during it’s entire life cycle (including G0)

Question 8

What areas of the body are primarily adversely affected by chemotherapy?

Answer 8

bone marrow, GI, buccal mucosa, reproductive organs, hair follicles

Question 9

what are CCN agents more effective on?

Answer 9

slow large growing tumors

Question 10

dose frequency/timing of CCN agents

Answer 10

intermittently dose to reduce toxicities

Question 11

what is Nadir?

Answer 11

10-28 days when WBC is at it’s lowest, no trx given here

Question 12

what stage of the cell life cycle is chemotherapy not effective?

Answer 12

G0: cell at rest

Question 13

primary treatment (cure) for cancer

Answer 13

surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, biotherapy

Question 14

when is adjuvant therapy used?

Answer 14

after primary trx

Question 15

when is neoadjuvant therapy used?

Answer 15

before primary trx

Question 16

goals/stages of treatment

Answer 16

cure, control palliative

Question 17

what is palliative care?

Answer 17

decrease tumor burden, improve QOL, relieve pain

Question 18

Types of cancer trx

Answer 18

radiation, surgery, pharmacotherapy,

Question 19

what is used to treat almost every solid tumor?

Answer 19

radiation

Question 20

Radiation trx AE

Answer 20

1). significant damage to all tissues 2). can result in fibrosis of lungs (location dependent) 3). fatigue

Question 21

PT concerns for radiation

Answer 21

fatigue, location of tissue damage

Question 22

Cancer trx used to maximize tumor eradication

Answer 22

surgery

Question 23

PT considerations for surgery trx

Answer 23

wound complications, lymphedema, general post-op concerns

Question 24

what are the 3 types of pharmacotherapy?

Answer 24

1). chemotherapy 2). targeted therapy 3). immunotherapy

Question 25

chemotherapy

Answer 25

drugs that inhibit growth and replication of cancer cells

Question 26

targeted therapy

Answer 26

blocks genes/proteins, specific genetic mutations

Question 27

immunotherapy

Answer 27

hormones and drugs that use the immune system to trx cancer

Question 28

majority of immunotherapy drugs utilize what?

Answer 28

antibodies that end in -mab, interferon, interleukins (non-specific immunotherapy)

Question 29

what cancer AE should we be most concerned with?

Answer 29

1). thrombocytopena 2). neutropenia 3). peripheral neuropathy 4). pain 5). infection 6). mouth/throat

Question 30

special precautions for oral chemotherapy

Answer 30

wear gloves when touching laundry or bodily fluids (specific to the oral med)