Chemotherapy Flashcards
Properties of cancer that causes increased cell proliferation
Self-sufficiency in growth signals Evades apoptosis Insensitivity to anti-growth signals Tissue invasion and metastasis Sustained angiogenesis Limitless replicative potential
Types of cancer therapy
Neoadjuvant
Adjuvant
Palliative
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Chemotherapy before definitive treatment to shrink the tumour and optimise outcomes
Adjuvant chemotherapy
Chemotherapy given after treatment to reduce the risk of disease recurrence
Palliative chemotherapy
Chemotherapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life but not cure the cancer
Treatments for cancer
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy - monoclonal antibodies or checkpoint inhibitors
5 - fluorouracil (5-FU)
Thymidylate synthase inhibitor
- colorectal cancer
- breast cancer
- gastric/ oesophageal cancer
Platinum agents
Such as cisplatin
Forms adducts with DNA
- colorectal cancer
- lung cancer
- gastric cancer
Vinka alkaloids
Inhibits the function of microtubules therefore permanently in metaphase and cannot undergo anaphase
Pathophysiology of drug resistance
- Decreased entry or increased exit of agent - membrane modification, efflux pumps or transporter loss
- Inactivation of agent within the cell - degradation
- Enhanced repair of the DNA damage
Prescribing cytotoxic drugs
- Narrow therapeutic window
- Dose specific to patient based on BMI, renal/liver function/ performance status
- combination of drugs
Neurological side effects of chemotherapy
Peripheral neuropathy
Fatigue
Chemo brain - fuzzy
Alopecia
Cardiac side effects of chemotherapy
Neutropenic sepsis
Cardiomyopathy
Myelosupression
GI side effects of chemotherapy
Vomiting
Mucositis
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Bladder side effects of chemotherapy
Haemorrhagic cystitis - carbamazepine