Introduction to Oncology Flashcards
what are the 4 pillars of cancer treatment?
surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy
what is neoadjuvant and adjuvant?
treatment before surgery and after surgery
what side effect of chemotherapy is most feared by patients?
n/v
what side effect of chemotherapy is most common?
myelosuppression
what are the NCI-CTCAE grades for nausea?
Grade 1: loss of appetite without alteration in eating habits
Grade 2: oral intake decreased without significant weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition
Grade 3: inadequate oral caloric or fluid intake, tube feeding, TPN or hospitalization indicated
what are the NCI-CTCAE grades for vomiting?
Grade 1: intervention not indicated
Grade 2: outpatient IV hydration, medical intervention indicated
Grade 3: tube feeding, TPN or hospitalization indicated
Grade 4: life-threatening consequences
Grade 5: death
describe cisplatin
class: alkylating agent/platinums
MOA: inhibits DNA synthesis by the formation of DNA cross-links, not cell cycle specific
uses: lung, head, neck, pancreatic, ovarian, unknown primary carcinoma
AEs: n/v, nephrotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, myelosuppression, ototoxicity
monitoring: CBC, CMP, audiometric testing at baseline, neuro exam
what is acute emesis?
begins in 1-2 hours of chemotherapy and peaks in 4-6 hours
what is delayed emesis?
occurs more than 24 hours after chemotherapy
what is anticipatory emesis?
occurs prior to treatment as a conditioned response in patients who have developed significant n/v during previous chemotherapy
what are the classes of antiemetics for CINV?
5-HT3 receptor antagonists (ondansetron)
Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists, best for delayed (aprepitant, fosaprepitant)
other options (dexamethasone, olanzapine, steroids)
what are the mechanisms for chemotherapy induced diarrhea?
increased secretion of electrolytes due to decreased absorption, increased intraluminal osmotic substance, altered GI motility
how do you treat chemotherapy induced diarrhea?
mild: imodium, lomotil
severe: sandostatin or ocretodie
what is the class, MOA, use, adverse effects and monitoring of irinotecan/captosar?
class: plant alkaloid
MOA: topoisomerase I inhibitor (S and G2 phase)
use: colon and pancreatic cancer
AEs: diarrhea, CINV, neutropenia, fatigue
monitoring: CBC, CMP, magnesium, phosphate
what occurs in chemotherapy induced myelosuppression?
one or more cells lines are effects (RBCs, WBCs and/or platelets)
how do you manage, treat and prevent chemotherapy induced myelosuppression?
dose reduction and dose delay, can be prevented with growth factors that can help with neutropenia, with prolonged neutropenia prophylactic antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals can be used
can be treated with platelet and pRBC transfusions
what is the class, MOA and uses of dose dense AC for HER2-breast cancer?
class: doxorubicin (adriamycin): anthracycline, cyclophosphamide: alkylating agent
MOA: doxorubicin: intercalation between DNA base pairs by inhibition of topoisomerase II and by steric obstruction
cyclophosphamide: cross-linking DNA strands and decreasing DNA synthesis
uses: neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced stage 3 HER2-breast cancer
what is the cycle length, adverse effects and monitoring of dose dense AC for HER2-breast cancer?
cycle length: given 1 day of each 14 day cycle for 4 cycles followed by weekly taxol for 12 cycles
AEs: neutropenia, CINV, infusion site reaction, cardiotoxicity
monitoring: CBC, CMP, echo before, at completion and 6 months post doxorubicin
what is classified at neutropenia and severe neutropenia?
neutropenia: absolute neutrophil count of <1500
sever: absolute neutrophil count of <500
how do you control neutropenia?
hand hygiene, no dry or fresh flowers, no DRE, rectal thermometers or enemas, granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) prophylaxis
what are the risk factors of chemotherapy induced neutropenia?
65+, previous chemotherapy or radiation, open wounds, recent surgery, poor nutritional status, multiple comorbidities, HIV