Cancer care Flashcards
symptoms for lung cancer
unexplained cough >3wks
heamoptysis
weight loss
SOB
lethargy
weakness
hoarsness
dysphagia
chest pain
wheeze
fever
common sites of lung cancer mets?
lung
brain
adrenal
bone
liver
what is the gold standard Ix is lung cancer is suspected?
FBC, U+E, Calcium, LFTs, INR
CXR
staging CT (CT thorax, abdo and pelvis)
US guided neck node core biopsy
bronchoscopy
CT biopsy
thoracoscopy is pleural effusion present
what cancer is CA 125 associated with?
ovarian cancer
what cancer is CA 19-9 associated with?
pancreatic cancer
what cancer is CA 15-3 associated with?
breast cancer
what cancer is PSA associated ewith?
prostate specific antigen
what cancer is AFP associated with?
hepatocellular carcinoma, teratoma
what cancer is CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) associated with.
colorectal cancer
what is combination chemotherapy?
combo of drugs with different mechanisms and side effect profiles reduced risk of resistance and toxicity
what is adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemo?
adjuvant: chemo given after other initial treatment to reduce risk of relapse e.g. following surgery
neoadjuvant: used to shrink tumours prior to surgical or radiological treatments
why is chemotherapy given in cycles?
to allow time for recovery of healthy cells
name the types of chemotherapy drugs? and some examples?
alkylating agents: cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, busulfan
platinum agents: cisplatin, carpoplatin, oxaliplatin
anti-metabolites: methotrexate, 5-fluorouricil
topoisomerase inhibitors: etoposide, topotecan
vinka-alkaloid’s: vincristine and vinblastine
taxanes: docetaxel, paclitaxel
other:
- antioestrogens: anastrazole (breast cancer)
- monoclonal antibodies
- anti tumour abx: bleomycin, mitomycin, doxorubicin
name some immediate SEs of chemotherapy?
extravasion occurs (leakage of chemo to adjacent tissue)
facial and body flushing
cardiac arrythmias
hypotension
hypersensitivity
anaphylaxis
haemorrhagic cystitis
name some short term SE of chemotherapy
discolouration of urine
TLS
n+v
mucositis
constipation
diarrhoea
fatigue
name some medium/long term SE of chemotherapy?
- marrow suppression
- alopecia
- nail changes - beau’s lines
- liver dysfunction
- renal toxicity
- cardiac toxicity
- peripheral neuropathy
- pulmonary fibrosis
- changes in fertility
risk factors for n+v in chemotherapy?
- anxiety
- <50yo
- concurrent opioid use
- female gender
- past hx of n+v
how to managed chemotherapy n+v?
low risk: metoclopramide
high risk: 5HT3 antagonists antagonists e.g. ondansetron with dexamethasone
what is extravasation?
when anticancer drug gets into the subcutaneous/subdermal space
clinical features in extravasation?
burning, tingling with pain, redness and swelling
what to do if extravasation has occured?
- stop and disconnect the infusion
- aspirate any residual drug before cannula is removed
- follow local policies
- use dry cold compress to vasoconstrict, or apply warmth to allow vasodilation depending on agent being used