Chemotherapy

Question 1

Characteristics of Cancer Cells (Neoplastic Cells)

Answer 1

• persistent proliferation
• invasive growth
• formation of metastases
• immortality
• cause of cancer

Question 2

Effects of Chemotherapy drugs on other cells

Answer 2

• chemotherapy drugs are more toxic to tissue with high growth fraction
• these cells include bone marrow, skin, hair follicles, sperm, and GI cells

Question 3

Major Toxicities of Chemotherapy

Answer 3

• bone marrow suppression
• neutrophia
• thrombocytopenia
• anemia
• GI injury
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Alopecia
• Hyperuricemia
• Reproductive toxicity
• Local injury from extravasation

Question 4

Tamoxifen

Answer 4

• hormonal agent for breast cancer
• used for established disease and for decreasing occurrence in high risk patients
• Adjuvant therapy after surgery
• Treatment of metastatic disease
• do not use in women at risk for thrombosis and for those at risk for uterine cancer

Question 5

Herceptin (Trastuzumab)

Answer 5

• adjuvant treatment for breast cancer
• only effective against tumors that overexpress human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
• inhibits cell proliferation
• side effects include chills, fever, pain, and nausea and vomiting occur in 40% of patients in fist infusion but will subside
• adverse reactions include ventricular dysfunction and Congestive Heart Failure

Question 6

Gleevac (Imatinib)

Answer 6

• BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is used to treat Leukemia
• over time resistance can occur due to gene mutation
• Side effects include nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, rash, heart attack, fatigue, fever, and muscle cramps

Question 7

Adrucil (fluorouracil)

Answer 7

• drug used to treat solid tumors
• deprives cells of thymidylate needed to make DNA
• administered IV
• can cause bone marrow suppression and oral and GI ulcerations. discontinue drug as soon as reactions occur
• other reactions include palmar plantar tingling, burning, redness, flaking, and blistering

Question 8

Onconvin (vincristine)

Answer 8

• mitotic inhibitor which prevents cell division
• toxic to peripheral nerves, little bone marrow damge
• used in hodgkins, non hodgkins, and acute lymphocytic leukemia
• must be given IV
• peripheral neuropathy can occur