Introduction to cancer Flashcards
Treatments for cancer
Surgery: This involves removing the cancerous tissue or tumor from the body.
Radiation therapy: This involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
Chemotherapy: This involves using drugs to kill cancer cells or slow down their growth.
Immunotherapy: This involves using the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
Targeted therapy: This involves using drugs that target specific molecules or proteins in cancer cells to slow down their growth or kill them.
Hormone therapy: This involves using drugs to block or lower the amount of certain hormones in the body that can promote the growth of certain types of cancer.
Stem cell transplant: This involves replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells to help the body produce new blood cells and fight cancer.
Problems of chemotherapy
Hair loss: Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.
Nausea and vomiting: Chemotherapy drugs can cause nausea and vomiting, which can be severe for some patients.
Fatigue: Chemotherapy can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue, which can last for several weeks or months.
Decreased appetite: Chemotherapy can cause a decrease in appetite, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
Increased risk of infections: Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections.
Anemia: Chemotherapy can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Skin and nail changes: Chemotherapy can cause skin and nail changes, such as dryness, peeling, and cracking.
Cognitive changes: Chemotherapy can cause cognitive changes, such as difficulty concentrating and memory problems.
Increased risk of other cancers: Chemotherapy can increase the risk of developing other types of cancer later in life.
what are the different chemotherapeutic agents available
Alkylating agents: These drugs work by adding an alkyl group to DNA, which prevents cancer cells from dividing and growing. Examples include cyclophosphamide, busulfan, and cisplatin.
Antimetabolites: These drugs interfere with the DNA synthesis process in cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and growing. Examples include methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine.
Antitumor antibiotics: These drugs work by blocking the enzymes that cancer cells need to divide and grow. Examples include doxorubicin, bleomycin, and mitomycin.
Topoisomerase inhibitors: These drugs work by interfering with the enzymes that help cancer cells divide and grow. Examples include etoposide, irinotecan, and topotecan.
Mitotic inhibitors: These drugs work by preventing cancer cells from dividing and growing by interfering with the process of cell division. Examples include paclitaxel, docetaxel, and vinblastine.
Hormonal agents: These drugs work by blocking or lowering the levels of certain hormones that can promote the growth of certain types of cancer. Examples include tamoxifen, letrozole, and flutamide.
Immunomodulatory agents: These drugs work by boosting the immune system’s ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. Examples include interleukins and interferons.
Explain the process of cancer
Initiation: The first step in cancer development is initiation, which occurs when a normal cell in the body undergoes a genetic mutation that causes it to become abnormal. These mutations can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and certain chemicals.
Promotion: Once an abnormal cell has been initiated, it may begin to divide and multiply more rapidly than normal cells. This process, called promotion, can be triggered by a variety of factors, including exposure to certain hormones or growth factors, or by ongoing exposure to carcinogens.
Progression: As the abnormal cells continue to multiply, they may begin to form a mass or tumor. At this point, the cancer is said to be progressing. The tumor may grow locally and invade nearby tissues, or it may spread to other parts of the body (metastasis).
Angiogenesis: Cancer cells require a blood supply in order to grow and survive. To obtain this blood supply, cancer cells may stimulate the growth of new blood vessels (a process called angiogenesis).
Immune evasion: Normally, the immune system is able to recognize and destroy abnormal cells in the body. However, cancer cells may be able to evade the immune system by producing substances that suppress the immune response or by mutating in a way that makes them less recognizable to the immune system.
Metastasis: If cancer cells are able to spread to other parts of the body, they may form new tumors and continue to grow and multiply. Metastasis is a complex process that involves the cancer cells breaking away from the original tumor, traveling through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and invading other tissues or organs.
Explain the causes of cancer
Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can cause cancer by disrupting the normal functioning of genes that regulate cell growth and division.
Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as tobacco smoke, asbestos, and certain pollutants, can increase the risk of cancer.
Lifestyle factors: Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as excessive alcohol consumption, a diet high in processed and red meat, and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of cancer.
Viruses and infections: Certain viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C viruses, can increase the risk of certain cancers.
Age: The risk of cancer increases with age, as the body’s ability to repair DNA damage decreases over time.
Family history: Some types of cancer are known to run in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Hormones: Certain hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can promote the growth of cancer cells in some cases.
How to prevent cancer
Stop smoking: Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer. If you smoke, quitting is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of cancer.
Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of several types of cancer. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
Protect your skin: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds can increase the risk of skin cancer. Protect your skin by wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Get vaccinated: Certain viruses, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C, can increase the risk of certain cancers. Get vaccinated against these viruses if you are at risk.
Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of several types of cancer. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.
Get screened: Regular cancer screenings can help detect cancer early when it is most treatable. Talk to your doctor about the screening tests recommended for your age and gender.
Treatment of cancer
The treatment of cancer depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health, and their treatment goals. There are several treatment options for cancer, which may be used alone or in combination with each other:
Surgery: Surgery is often used to remove cancerous tumors or to prevent cancer from spreading. It may be the only treatment needed for some types of cancer, or it may be combined with other treatments.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given orally or intravenously, and it may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific proteins or genes that help cancer cells grow. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is used to treat cancers that are hormone-sensitive, such as breast and prostate cancer. It works by blocking the hormones that help cancer cells grow.
Stem cell transplant: Stem cell transplant involves replacing the patient’s bone marrow with healthy stem cells to help the body produce new, healthy blood cells.
Discovering new cancer therapies
Basic research: The first step in discovering new cancer therapies is to conduct basic research to understand how cancer develops and grows. This may involve studying cancer cells in the laboratory or using animal models.
Drug discovery: Once researchers have identified potential targets, they can start the drug discovery process. This involves screening large libraries of compounds to find molecules that can interact with the target in a specific way.
Preclinical testing: Before a new therapy can be tested on humans, it must undergo preclinical testing to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in animal models.
Clinical trials: If a therapy shows promise in preclinical testing, it can move on to clinical trials. These trials are designed to test the safety and effectiveness of the therapy in human patients.
Regulatory approval: If the therapy is found to be safe and effective in clinical trials, it can be submitted for regulatory approval. This involves submitting data to regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, for review.
Post-marketing surveillance: After a therapy is approved, it is closely monitored for any unexpected side effects or other issues that may arise.
Problems Associated with cancer Treatments
Fatigue: Cancer treatments can cause fatigue, which can be both physical and mental.
Nausea and vomiting: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause nausea and vomiting, which can be difficult to manage.
Hair loss: Chemotherapy can cause hair loss, which can be distressing for many patients.
Pain: Cancer treatments can cause pain, which can be acute or chronic and can be difficult to manage.
Infection: Cancer treatments can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infection.
Cognitive problems: Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can cause cognitive problems such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion.
Emotional distress: Cancer treatments can cause emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and fear.
Cardiovascular problems: Some cancer treatments can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease and stroke.
Digestive problems: Cancer treatments can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and loss of appetite.
Sexual dysfunction: Cancer treatments can cause sexual dysfunction, including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and vaginal dryness.
Precision Medicine in Oncology
Molecular profiling: Precision medicine in oncology involves analyzing a patient’s tumor to identify specific molecular characteristics that may be driving the growth of the cancer. This may involve analyzing DNA mutations, gene expression patterns, and other molecular markers.
Targeted therapies: Once the molecular characteristics of a patient’s tumor have been identified, targeted therapies can be used to attack specific molecular targets. These therapies are designed to be more specific and less toxic than traditional chemotherapy drugs.
Immunotherapy: Precision medicine in oncology also involves the use of immunotherapy, which works by harnessing the power of the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. This may involve using checkpoint inhibitors, which block proteins that inhibit the immune system, or CAR-T cell therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Clinical trials: Precision medicine in oncology also involves the use of clinical trials to test new treatments that are designed to target specific molecular characteristics of tumors.
