Chemotherapy

Question 1

What is maintenance chemo?

Answer 1

Chemo to maintain remission. Not much advantage due to resistance and toxicity. Only really indicated in childhood leukaemia - 18 month post complete remission

Question 2

What are some acute S/Es of chemotherapy?

Answer 2

Lethargy, N+V, myelosuppression, alopecia, mucositis, diarrhoea, constipation, peripheral neuropathies, ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, bladder toxicity, arrhythmias, transient increase in liver enzymes, extravasation (repeated cannulae), hand-foot syndrome, photosensitivity, myalgia, arthralgia

Question 3

What are some long term effects of chemotherapy?

Answer 3

Secondary malignancies, infertility, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis (in some young patients), psychological and social effects