Cancer Treatments Flashcards
Hallmarks of cancer (6)
Resisting apoptosis Inducing angiogenesis Enabling replicative immortality Activating invasion and metastasis Evading growth suppressors Sustaining proliferative signalling
Radical treatment definitions (2)
Curative intent
Aims to eradicate a tumour often at the expense of treatment related side effects
Palliative treatment definitions (2)
Non curative
Aims to improve symptoms and quality of life but not at expense of significant side effects
Adjuvant treatment definitions (2)
Used after surgery
Aimed at reducing risk of recurrence
Neo-adjuvant treatment definitions (2)
Used before surgery
Aimed to shrink tumour before surgical removal
Treatment endpoints (4)
Overall survival - Time alive
Disease free survival - Time without any symptoms/signs of cancer
Progression free survival - Time living with cancer that is not worsening
Local control - Time without recurrence or progression at a specific tumour site
Cytotoxic Chemotherapy types (6)
Alkylating Agents Platinum salts Anti-metabolites Taxanes Anthracyclines Topoisomerase inhibitors
Mechanism of Alkylating Agents
Attach alkyl group to DNA
Mechanism of Platinum salts
DNA cross-linking
Mechanism of Anti-metabolites
Interfere with DNA/RNA growth
Mechanism of Taxanes
Mitotic inhibitors
Mechanism of Anthracyclines
Interfere with enzymes for DNA copying
Mechanism of Topoisomerase inhibitor
Prevent DNA strands unwinding
Common chemotherapy toxicities (8)
Malaise, fatigue, lethargy Alopecia GI - Diarrhoea, nausea, mucositis, altered taste Haematological - Neutopenia, thrombocytopenia, anaemia Peripheral neuropathy Renal/liver impairment Nail changes Fertility changes/menopause
Radiotherapy mechanism of action
Wavelength of radiation breaks double stranded DNA
Common acute radiotherapy toxicities (8)
Fatigue Erythema/desquamation Mucositis Odynophagia Diarrhoea Cystitis Oesophagitis Nausea/vomiting
Common late radiotherapy toxicities (8)
Skin fibrosis/ulceration Dysphagia Bowel dysfunction Incontinence Pneumonitis Menopause Infertility Secondary cancer
Radiotherapy prescription unit
Grays (Gy) - Unit of absorbed dose
