GI/Cancer/CNS Flashcards
1
Q
Cancer (Carcinoma)
A
- disease characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell division
2
Q
Metastasis
A
- abnormal cells travel to distant sites where they populate new tumors
3
Q
Tumor
A
- swelling, abnormal enlargement
- aka mass,neoplasm
4
Q
3 goals of chemotherapy
A
- cure
- control
- palliation
5
Q
Radiation
A
- prescribed post op to kill cancer cells that remain or for inoperable cancers to shrink size of tumors that may be pressing on organs or obstructing breathing
6
Q
Adjuvant Chemotherapy
A
- adminstration of antineoplastic drugs after surgery or radiation
7
Q
Growth Fraction
A
- ratio of replicating cells to resting cells
- antineoplastic drugs are more effective on cells with high growth fractions
- hair follicles, bone marrow, GI tissue have high GF–might explain adverse effects
8
Q
Vesicants
A
- agents that can cause serious tissue injury if they escape from an artery or vein during injection or infusion
- use central line if possible (subclavian vein)
9
Q
Antineoplastic Drugs
A
- extracted from plants and bacteria, also made in lab
- kill or stop growth of cancer cells
- alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antitumor antibiotics, hormones, hormone antagonists, natural products, biologic response modifiers and monoclonal antibodies
10
Q
Antitumor Antibiotics
A
- inhibit cell growth through cytotoxicity, similar to alkylating agents
- wear gloves when preparing
- monitor IV site
- adverse effects: **cardiotoxicity **
11
Q
Hormones and Hormone Anatagonists
A
- used to slow growth of hormone dependent tumors
- glucocorticoids, progestins, estrogens, androgens
- doses are magnitudes larger than what the body produces
- less cytotoxic
- blocks substances essential for tumor growth
12
Q
Glucocorticoids
A
- dexamethasone, prednisone
- inhibit inflammation
- sometimes given as adjunct to reduce nausea, weight loss, tissue inflammation caused by other antineoplastics
- prolonged use can result in symptoms of Cushing’s disease
13
Q
Hormones and Hormone Antangonists
Antiestrogens
A
- treat tumors dependent on estrogen
- breast cancer
- Tamoxifen
14
Q
methotrexate (Folex, Mexate)
A
- antimetabolite
- blocks synthesis of folic acid (vit B12) to inhibit replication
- used to treat choriocarcinoma, osteogenic carcinoma, leukemias, head and neck cancers, breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma
- improved status of pts w/ rheumatoid arthritis
- BLACK BOX
- fatal bone marrow toxicity in high doses
- hemorrhage/bruising due to low platelet counts
- n/v, anorexia, GI ulceration
- dermatologic reactions such as Stevens Johnson syndrome
15
Q
doxorubicin
A
- antitumor antibiotic
- attaches to DNA, prevents normal DNA & RNA synthesis
- severe vesicant
- tx for solid tumors of lung, breast, ovary, bladder, leukemias, lymphomas
16
Q
tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
A
- hormone/hormone antagonist
- blocks estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells
- adverse effects; nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, fluid retention, increased risk of endometrial cancer and thrombolytic disease
- used as a prophylactic–Nurses study
- hirsutism, gyneocomastia
17
Q
Immunosuppressants
A
- used to treat severe auto immune disease
- inhibit patients immune system
- prevent tissue rejection in transplants
- toxic to bone marrow
- increase risk of infections and lymphoma
- glucocorticoids, antimetabolites, antibodies, cacineurin inhibitors
- monitor for indications of infections, bone marrow suppression
18
Q
Cyclosporine
A
- calcineurin inhibitor
- bind to calcineurin and inhibit helper T cells
- used to treat psoriasis
19
Q
ulcer
A
erosion of the mucosa layer of the GI tract usually associated with acute inflammation
20
Q
PUD
A
cause: infection by H pylori
risk factors:
- family hx
- Blood type O
- smoking
- caffeine
- NSAIDs, corticosteroids
- stress
- H. pylori
21
Q
H2-receptor blockers
A
- slow acid secretion by stomach by blocking H2-receptors
22
Q
antacids
A
- neutralize stomach acid
- inexpensive, OTC