Cancer Treatment Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the three main cancer treatments?
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemo
What is the goal of chemotherapy?
To limit the cell proliferation that us occurring by killing the caner cells or limiting their growth
What is cytotoxicity?
During chemotherapy, cancer cells are not easily destroyed without causing harm to human tissue- they lack specificity to only affect the cancer cells
What is cell kill hypothesis?
Each round of chemo will kill a certain percentage of cancer cells- this hypothesis explains why chemo can never completely eliminate the tumor because some cells will survive each treatment round
-if the tumor can be reduced to a small enough size with chemo then the body’s defense mechanisms can address the remaining tissues and the body is essentially in remission
Adverse effects of chemo
-associated with severe side effects: normal cells must undergo mitosis in order to function
-GI disturbances
-anemia
-weight loss
-cough
-constipation
What are the different chemotherapeutic agents?
-alkylating agents
-antimetabolites
-anticancer antibiotics
-antimicrotubular agents
-toposiomerase inhibitors
Alkylating agents
prevent DNA function and replication
Antimetabolites
cell’s ability to synthesize normal DNA and RNA is impaired
Anticancer antibiotics
antibiotics- but side effects are so toxic they can only be used for cancer
antimicrotubular agents
disrupts mitosis and keeps the cell from dividing and proliferating
Toposiomerase inhibitors
inhibit the enzymes that are necessary for normal DNA replication
Anticancer hormones
Drugs that block the effects of certain hormones may be useful in treating certain forms of cancer
-typically used as an adjunct along with surgery, radiation, or other chemo drugs
Monoclonal Antibodies
Drugs are manufactured using cell cloning that produces an antibody that is specific for an antigen on the surface of a particular cancer cell- the antibody is attracted to the cancer cell without effect on health tissue
Monoclonal Antibodies
Drugs are manufactured using cell cloning that produces an antibody that is specific for an antigen on the surface of a particular cancer cell- the antibody is attracted to the cancer cell without effect on health tissue
-targeted specific cancer cell
What is considered one of the most promising advancements in cancer treatment?
Monoclonal antibodies- targeted therapy because it is specific to the cancer cell
**minimal effect on health human cells
Cytokines
Small proteins that play a role in modulating immune responses by stimulating the immune mechanisms that would normally deal with abnormal cell proliferation
Chemotherapy Drugs
-Anticancer hormones
-monoclonal antibodies
-cytokines
-aspirin and other NSAIDS
-other
Aspirin and other NSAIDS
can prevent colorectal cancer and may decrease malignancies of the stomach, esophagus, breast, prostate, and lungs
-increased protection found in those who use aspirin on a regular basis for several years
What is combination therapy?
when several different anticancer drugs or types of chemotherapy drugs are administered together
-chemo may be administered prior to a more aggressive surgery or radiation treatments in an effort to shrink the tumor
**allows for a more successful treatment
Side effects of cancer
-pain
-depression/anxiety
-premature menopause
Success rates of cancer treatment
Some forms of cancer can be cured in more than 90% of affected patients, but in other forms, treatment will not cure the disease but may lead to remission and prolong survival
-certain forms of cancer do not respond well to treatment
Rehab implications for pts going through chemo
-pts may be suffering from GI problems, blood disorders, and significant fatigue
-neurotoxic effects: peripheral neuropathy and CNS abnormalities
-make sure to reassure patient that side effects are transient
-TENS and other modalities can be used for pain management (be aware of contraindications)
-should not exercise within 2 hours of chemo administration
-balance between rest and exercise
-monitor vitals
-fall prevention
Effects of chemotherapy
-immunosuppression
-anemia
-hemorrhage
-cardiac/pulmonary compromise
-neuropathies
-mood changes
-“chemo brain”- foggy or hazy
Long term effects of radiation
-skin ulcers 10-20 years after: difficult to heal and painful
-chronic changes in connective tissue
-CNS: dont show up for a year, neuropathies 20-30 years
-OP
-heart/lung disease
-site specific problems
-post surgical MSK problems
-secondary malignancies
-metastases
