Cancer Therapies

Question 1

What is the most common example of an alkylating agent?

Answer 1

Cyclophosphamide

Question 2

Other than myelosuppression, what are some specific side effects of cyclophosphamide?

Answer 2

Haemorrhagic cystitis and TCC of the bladder

Question 3

What is the most common example of an anti-metabolite?

Answer 3

Methotrexate

Question 4

5-fluorouracil and 6-mercaptopurine are examples of which type of chemotherapy agent?

Answer 4

Anti-metabolite

Question 5

Methotrexate causes fibrosis of which major organs?

Answer 5

Lungs and liver

Question 6

Which chemotherapy agent is most likely responsible for causing peripheral neuropathy?

Answer 6

Vincristine

Question 7

What is a recognised side effect of doxorubicin chemotherapy?

Answer 7

Cardiomyopathy

Question 8

What are some potential side effects of platinum compounds?

Answer 8

Ototoxicity and peripheral neuropathy

Question 9

Which electrolyte imbalance may be seen in patients taking cisplatin?

Answer 9

Hypomagnesaemia

Question 10

What are two useful anti-emetics for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting?

Answer 10

Metoclopramide and ondansetron

Question 11

Neutropenia is most likely to occur within how long after chemotherapy?

Answer 11

7-14 days

Question 12

It may take how long before radiotherapy begins to produce a therapeutic effect?

Answer 12

3 weeks

Question 13

What is the most common way to give radiotherapy, delivering beams of ionising radiation to the patient from an external linear accelerator?

Answer 13

External beam radiotherapy

Question 14

What is the term used for highly accurate use of external beam radiotherapy used to target small lesions with great precision?

Answer 14

Stereotactic radiotherapy

Question 15

What is the term used to describe a radiation source being placed within or close to a tumour, allowing high local radiation doses to a small tumour?

Answer 15

Brachytherapy

Question 16

Early reactions to radiotherapy occur within what timeframe?

Answer 16

8 weeks

Question 17

Which anti-emetics can be used first line (PO) for radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting?

Answer 17

Metoclopramide and domperidone

Question 18

Which anti-emetic can be used second line (PO/IV) for radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting?

Answer 18

Ondansetron

Question 19

What often happens to the bowel movements after radiation to the abdomen or pelvis?

Answer 19

Diarrhoea

Question 20

Cystitis may occur as a side effect of radiotherapy to where?

Answer 20

Pelvis

Question 21

Brachial plexopathy may occur as a late reaction after radiotherapy to where?

Answer 21

Axilla

Question 22

What side effect can occur as a result of brain irradiation in children aged < 6 years old?

Answer 22

Reduced IQ

Question 23

When dose radiotherapy induced pneumonitis typically present?

Answer 23

6-12 weeks after treatment

Question 24

How can xerostomia (reduced saliva) as a result of radiotherapy be treated?

Answer 24

Pilocarpine or artificial saliva

Question 25

What thyroid abnormality may occur following radiation to the neck?

Answer 25

Hypothyroidism

Question 26

What are some complications that may occur years after receiving radiotherapy?

Answer 26

Secondary cancers and cataracts