Cytotoxic/Antineoplastic drugs

Question 1

Cancer - key concepts

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Cancer - development

Answer 2

Cells DNA is mutated - cell divides and all daughter cells have the same mutation

Question 3

Define - oncology

Answer 3

study and treatment of tumours

Question 4

Define - angiogenesis

Answer 4

development of new blood vessles

Question 5

define - metastasis

Answer 5

spreading of cancerous cells to other organs

Question 6

define - benign

Answer 6

doesn’t spread - not harmful - can still causes issues

Question 7

define- Melignant

Answer 7

spreads and infects adjacent tissues

Question 8

define - apoptosis

Answer 8

death of cells which occurs as normal and controlled part of organism growth

Question 9

define - mitosis

Answer 9

Cell division that results in identical daughter cells

Question 10

define - Cytotoxic drugs

Answer 10

drugs will KILL or INHIBIT the growth of rapidly dividing cells, including tumour cells

Question 11

Define - antineoplastic drugs

Answer 11

Drugs which are specifically used to kill cancerous or neoplastic tissues (also cytotoxic)

Question 12

Define - CHEMOTHEROPY

Answer 12

treatment of an illness with medications

- the medical treatment of cancer

Question 13

Who should not handle chemotherapy agents

Answer 13

Immuno-suppressed people

Pregnant people

Question 14

Special precautions for patient

Answer 14

Label kennel 
Cytotoxic bins
PPE - gowns, gloves, masks
Stringent cleaning protocol
Seperate equipment - bowls, bedding, leads
Own ward?!

Question 15

Aditional care needed at home

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Cancers treated with chemotherapy

Answer 16

Lymphoma
Myeloma (plama cells)
Some Leukaemias (blood cells/bone marrow)

Question 17

Define - primary treatment

Answer 17

Sole treatment of cancerous cells

Question 18

Define - adjuvant chemotheraphy

Answer 18

treatment given following surgery when margins weren’t big enough or metasities is present

Question 19

Define - paliative care

Answer 19

Treatment given to improve quality of life - will not make cancer go into remission

Question 20

Define - neoadjuvant

Answer 20

preemptive treatment to reduce the size of the tumour prior to surgical treatment. (injection site sarcomas)

Question 21

Side effects of chemotherapy

Answer 21

Bone marrow supression
Leucopaenia - susceptible to infections
Haemorrhage - thrombocytopaenia
Anaemia
Gastrointestinal complications
Teratogensis
Carcnigenesis
Alopecia
Tissue necrosis (if drugs given extra-vascular)
Polyuria
Haematuria

Question 22

Alkylating agents - function

Answer 22

Attack DNA, interfer with cell replication

Question 23

Alkylating agents - treats

Answer 23

lymphoma, multiple myeloma, some solid tumours, some immune disorders

Question 24

Alkylating agents - side effects

Answer 24

Nausea, alopecia, vomiting

Question 25

Alkylating agents - examples

Answer 25

chlorambucil - tablets

cylophosphamide - tablets

Question 26

Antimetabolites - function

Answer 26

Inhibit celluar enxymes

Question 27

Antimetabolites - treats

Answer 27

Lympho/myeloproliferative disorders
sertoli cell tumours (testes)
sarcomas
carcinomas

Question 28

Antimetabolites - side effects

Answer 28

Leucopaenia, nausea, hepatotoxity

Question 29

Antimetabolites - examples

Answer 29

cytarabine - injectable

methotexate - injectable

Question 30

Vinca alkaloids - functions

Answer 30

Prevents normal cell division, arrests mitosis in metaphase

Question 31

Vinca alkaloids - treats

Answer 31

lymphoma, leukaemia, some tumours - mast cell tumours

Question 32

Vinca alkaloids - side effects

Answer 32

Damage to tissues if given extravenously

Question 33

Vinca alkaloids - examples

Answer 33

Vincristine

Question 34

Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - function

Answer 34

Binds DNA and inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis

Question 35

Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - treats

Answer 35

sarcomas, carcinomas, lymphoma

Question 36

Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - side effects

Answer 36

vomitng, mylopsuppression, cardiac toxicitity (cumalitive)

most patients need preemptive treatment with antihistamines to prevent acute allergic reactions

Question 37

Antineoplastic/tumour antibodies - examples

Answer 37

Doxorubycine

Question 38

Hormonal agents - function

Answer 38

inhibit mitosis and protein synthesis in lymphocytes

Question 39

Hormonal agents - treats

Answer 39

leukaemia and lymphoma of CNS

Question 40

Hormonal agents - side effects

Answer 40

Muscle atrophy
poliphagia
pu/pd
hyperglycaemia
V+/D+ 
intestinal ulcers

Question 41

Hormonal agents - examples

Answer 41

steroids

Question 42

Platinum analogues - function

Answer 42

disrupts DNA

Question 43

Platinum analogues - treats

Answer 43

osteosarcomas, carcinomas

Question 44

Platinum analogues - side effects

Answer 44

renal toxicity
GI signs
myleosupression

Question 45

Platinum analouges - examples

Answer 45

carboplatin

cisplatin

Question 46

Neoplastic agents

Answer 46

L-asparginase - lymphoid neoplasms

Mitotane - atrophies the inner adrenal cortex to help treat cushings diesase (not avaliable in the uk)