Clinical Oncology Flashcards
Cancer
Group of diseases characterised by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells within a body
Classification criteria
Type of cancer cell
Grade
TNM staging
What are used to determine tx pathways
Prognostic markers
HER2 receptor in breast and gastric cancer
Risk factors for cancer Colorectal Lung Breast Skin Cervix Head and Neck
Dietary/genetic
Smoking
Obesity/genetic
Sun exposure
HPV
Smoking/alcohol/diet and nutrition/viruses/immunosuppression/radiotherapy exposure/premalignant oral conditions
Tx options
Surgery Radiotherapy - local Chemotherapy Hormonal therapy Targeted therapies - specific target e.g receptor or growth factor Immunotherapy Laser therapy Cryotherapy Best supportive care Any combination
Surgery aims and intentions
Side effects to consider?
Curative tx for many cancers
Side effects - fx, cosmetic, anaesthesia risks
Remove tumour with clear margins
May require adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Targets
Mechanism
Drugs which affect cell function
Used in combination to increase effect
Anti-cancer action in expense of side effects
Different mechanisms
Chemotherapy adjuvant tx
For?
How?
Why?
What to consider ?
High risk post op patients
Combination of drugs
Given chemotherapy to reduce risk of recurrence
5-10% cured
Patient may not have disease therefore doesn’t need tx
May recur despite chemo
Chemotherapy as palliative tx
Treatment to improve symptoms and maybe extend life Single drug Fewer side effects Not usually offered until symptomatic Stop if increasing toxicity
Chemotherapy side effects
General Skin Nerves Bone marrow Organs Lung toxicity and with what Cardiac toxicity and wth what
Nausea/vomiting/change in taste/bowel
Hair loss/rash/extravasation
Neuropathy/hearing loss
Infertility
Anaemia/thrombocytopenia/neutropenia
Renal/Liver dysfunction
Fibrosis/bleomycin
Cardiomyopathy/anthracyclines
Immunosuppression
so?
Chemotherapy can lead to neutropenia by end of cycle
Incredibly susceptible to other disease
Timing for dental work
When is max risk of IS in 3 week cycle
Ideally do it all before Platelets >100 Neutrophils > 1 Platelets > 20/30 7-14 days through cycle Wait until end of cycle
Dental abscess in immunocompromised patients
Check blood counts
Drainage is recommended
Patients on targeted treatments
Usually not immunosuppressed if on targeted treatments
Risk of infection is high
Check FBC and consider Ab cover
Always check with oncologist
Immunotherapy
Example?
Mechanism?
Can cause?
But also are ?
Very common now PDL1 inhibitors - PEMBROLIZUMAB e.g Trigger innate immune response Can cause organ inflammation Can also be effective in controlling cancers
Prednisalone to kerb inflammation
Bone tx
Can be used when? and to do what?
What is an SRE?
Which meds are taken
Can be used in adjuvant or palliative setting
Reduce risk of SREs - skeletal related events
Bisphosphonates
Rank ligand inhibitors
Skeletal related events
Cycle of bone destruction - mechanism
Tumour cells release GFs and cytokines
Osteoclast proliferation stimulated leading to resorption
Peptides released by bone resorption
Positive feedback leads to increased tumour factor production may encourage tumour activity
Tumour cells and other bone cells increase RANK ligand expression by osteoblasts
Increased osteoclast activity
Bone tx
Can be used in adjuvant or palliative setting
Reduce risk of SREs - skeletal related events
Bisphosphonates
Rank ligand inhibitors - therefore reduce osteoclast activity
Cycle of bone destruction
Tumour cells use bone cells to grown and lead to bone resorption
Peptides released by bone resorption
Osteoblasts and other bone cells increase RANK ligand expression
Osteonecrosis of jaw
Related to?
More common in?
Potency and duration of tx
Rare
IV administration
Radiotherapy
Energy of photons used?
Used as cancer tx
Photons accelerated toward targeted cells
Direct effect on DNA
Radiation reacts with water molecules –> free radicals
Free radicals cause DNA damage
Malignant and normal cells are damaged
Damage to normal cells manifests as side effects
Can repair if tolerant
20-80mV
Radiotherapy is
Intention
Modalities
Local
radical/Curative/pallative/adjuvant/neoadjuvant
Dose depends on area being treated, intention of treatment
X-rays
Electron tx
Brachytherapy