Cytotoxic/Antineoplastic drugs Flashcards
Cancer - key concepts
Caused by cells mutating abnormally
Can be genetic
Age related - UV radiation - exposure to carcinogens
Mast Cell Tumours release histamine in blood and lymph - spreads cancer cells
Cancer - development
Cells DNA is mutated - cell divides and all daughter cells have the same mutation
Define - oncology
study and treatment of tumours
Define - angiogenesis
development of new blood vessles
define - metastasis
spreading of cancerous cells to other organs
define - benign
doesn’t spread - not harmful - can still causes issues
define- Melignant
spreads and infects adjacent tissues
define - apoptosis
death of cells which occurs as normal and controlled part of organism growth
define - mitosis
Cell division that results in identical daughter cells
define - Cytotoxic drugs
drugs will KILL or INHIBIT the growth of rapidly dividing cells, including tumour cells
Define - antineoplastic drugs
Drugs which are specifically used to kill cancerous or neoplastic tissues (also cytotoxic)
Define - CHEMOTHEROPY
treatment of an illness with medications
- the medical treatment of cancer
Who should not handle chemotherapy agents
Immuno-suppressed people
Pregnant people
Special precautions for patient
Label kennel Cytotoxic bins PPE - gowns, gloves, masks Stringent cleaning protocol Seperate equipment - bowls, bedding, leads Own ward?!
Aditional care needed at home
Advise owners of risk PPE for drugs (atopica) Wash bedding seperatly from own Advise how to administer tablets Do not EAT/DRINK/CHEW gum while administering tablets
Cancers treated with chemotherapy
Lymphoma
Myeloma (plama cells)
Some Leukaemias (blood cells/bone marrow)
Define - primary treatment
Sole treatment of cancerous cells
Define - adjuvant chemotheraphy
treatment given following surgery when margins weren’t big enough or metasities is present
Define - paliative care
Treatment given to improve quality of life - will not make cancer go into remission
Define - neoadjuvant
preemptive treatment to reduce the size of the tumour prior to surgical treatment. (injection site sarcomas)
Side effects of chemotherapy
Bone marrow supression Leucopaenia - susceptible to infections Haemorrhage - thrombocytopaenia Anaemia Gastrointestinal complications Teratogensis Carcnigenesis Alopecia Tissue necrosis (if drugs given extra-vascular) Polyuria Haematuria
Alkylating agents - function
Attack DNA, interfer with cell replication
Alkylating agents - treats
lymphoma, multiple myeloma, some solid tumours, some immune disorders
Alkylating agents - side effects
Nausea, alopecia, vomiting
Alkylating agents - examples
chlorambucil - tablets
cylophosphamide - tablets
Antimetabolites - function
Inhibit celluar enxymes
Antimetabolites - treats
Lympho/myeloproliferative disorders
sertoli cell tumours (testes)
sarcomas
carcinomas
Antimetabolites - side effects
Leucopaenia, nausea, hepatotoxity
Antimetabolites - examples
cytarabine - injectable
methotexate - injectable
Vinca alkaloids - functions
Prevents normal cell division, arrests mitosis in metaphase
Vinca alkaloids - treats
lymphoma, leukaemia, some tumours - mast cell tumours
Vinca alkaloids - side effects
Damage to tissues if given extravenously
Vinca alkaloids - examples
Vincristine
Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - function
Binds DNA and inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis
Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - treats
sarcomas, carcinomas, lymphoma
Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - side effects
vomitng, mylopsuppression, cardiac toxicitity (cumalitive)
most patients need preemptive treatment with antihistamines to prevent acute allergic reactions
Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - examples
Doxorubycine
Hormonal agents - function
inhibit mitosis and protein synthesis in lymphocytes
Hormonal agents - treats
leukaemia and lymphoma of CNS
Hormonal agents - side effects
Muscle atrophy poliphagia pu/pd hyperglycaemia V+/D+ intestinal ulcers
Hormonal agents - examples
steroids
Platinum analogues - function
disrupts DNA
Platinum analogues - treats
osteosarcomas, carcinomas
Platinum analogues - side effects
renal toxicity
GI signs
myleosupression
Platinum analouges - examples
carboplatin
cisplatin
Neoplastic agents
L-asparginase - lymphoid neoplasms
Mitotane - atrophies the inner adrenal cortex to help treat cushings diesase (not avaliable in the uk)
