Cancer Meds Flashcards
List the 3 categories of cancer treatment options
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
List the 3 types of chemotherapy administration strategies
a. cytotoxic drugs (most common!)
b. hormones
c. biologic response modifiers
Identify the target tissue or cells affected by chemotherapy
High growth fraction cells in the body
= cells/tissues where large percentage of cells are actively dividing
Identify the parts of the body where high growth fraction cells are present normally
- hair (hair follicles)
- GI tract
- skin
- reproductive system
- bone marrow
Identify 3 chemotherapy modalities
- intermittent chemo
- combination chemo (more than 1 chemo at a time)
- regional drug delivery
List the 3 ways to deliver regional chemotherapy
3a. intracavity (into peritoneal cavity for abdominal cancers)
3b. intrathecal (for CNS cancers)
3c. intra-arterial
Identify the side effects of chemotherapy associated with hair
significant hair loss
Identify the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy
- stomatitis (painful swelling & sores inside the mouth, which disrupt a person’s ability to eat)
- diarrhea
- nausea & vomitting
Recall the patients who are at higher risk for developing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- women
- under 50
- history of motion sickness
- high level of anxiety
- experience of morning sickness during pregnancy
- history of drinking little alcohol
Recognize chemotherapy agents that are associated with a HIGH risk of nausea and vomiting
Cyclophosphamide
Cisplatin
Dacarbazine
Mechlorethamine
Streptozocin
Recognize chemotherapy agents that are associated with MODERATE risk of nausea and vomiting
Ifosfamide
Doxorubicin
Epirubicin
Idarubicin
List 4 body systems involved in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- cortex and limbic system
- medulla oblongata
- vestibular system
- GI tract
Recall the drug classes used to treat nausea and vomiting
Serotonin antagonists - ondansetron
Glucocorticoids - dexamethasone
Cannabinoids - Dronabinol
Benzodiazepines
Explain how chemotherapy affects skin
- sensitivity to the sun
- rash, redness, peeling, itching
- acne
- darkening along the vein
Explain how chemotherapy affects male reproduction
- # of sperms decrease with less ability to move
- difficulty with erection
- chromosome damages –> birth defects
Explain how chemotherapy affects female reproduction
- infertility
- decrease in hormones
- can lead to menopause
Explain how chemotherapy affects bone marrow production
Myelosuppression
First, neutrophils decrease (leukopenia)
Next, platelets decrease (thrombocytopenia)
Then, erythrocytes go down (anemia)
Recall precautions recommended for leukopenic patients
Avoid anything fresh (meat must be well-done, no fresh flowers, no fresh fruit or veggies)
Recall precautions recommended for thrombocytopenic patients
Do not use straight razor blade, use electric shaver, use soft toothbrush
List the medication classes that are used to stimulate white blood cell production
(macrophage) colony stimulating factor
Describe the treatment of anemia caused by chemotherapy myelosuppression
Administer erythropoietin
**do not give EPO to patients with leukemia
Discuss additional chemotherapy toxicities beyond the 5 areas of high growth fraction cells
Some drugs can also be toxic to heart and kidneys
Hyperuricemia –> gout
Describe what happens when extravasation occurs during IV chemotherapy
Extravasation means that chemo leaks out of vein into surrounded tissue and could cause tissue necrosis
Recall the indications of chemotherapeutic drugs other than cancer
Cytotoxic drugs can also be used to treat arthritis (but in much smaller doses)
List chemotherapeutic drugs that are used to treat arthritis
Azathioprine
Cyclophosphamide
Methotrexate
