Lecture 8 - Chemotherapy Flashcards
Lecture 8:
What is Chemotherapy?
Different kinds & combinations of drugs used to treat cancer by targeting rapidly dividing cells
Lecture 8:
Does everyone experience chemo the same?
No, everyone has different experiences due to different combinations of drugs & individuals differences in reactions
Lecture 8:
What are 3 ways Chemotherapy is used?
1.) Primary Treatment
2.) Adjuvant Therapy
3.) Neoadjuvant Therapy
Lecture 8:
How is Chemo used as Primary Treatment?
Typically used for treatment when surgery is not possible
- eg; tumour is too larger or scattered (inoperable)
Lecture 8:
How is Chemo used for Adjuvant Therapy?
Used after surgery to get any metastasized cells or parts of tumour that weren’t removed/excised
Lecture 8:
How is Chemo used for Neo-adjuvant Therapy?
Used before surgery to help shrink the tumour prior to operating
Lecture 8:
What is Oral Chemotherapy?
- advantages & disadvantages of it?
Oral chemo = pill, capsule, or liquid
~ Advantages = taken at home, good for if squeamish around injections
~Disadvantages = variable absorption, variation in bioavailability, & patient compliances (actually take & when supposed to)
Lecture 8:
What is Intravenous Chemotherapy?
Chemo injection through a single vein puncture (new injection each time) or an be injected/attached to a drip bag
Lecture 8:
When discussing intravenous Chemotherapy, What is a Central Line?
A central line remains inserted through duration of chemo & is placed in the central vessel of the chest
- can be outside the body with connections or an implantable port
Lecture 8:
When discussing intravenous Chemotherapy, What is a PICC Line?
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter line that is inserted in the cuboidal space of the elbow (right side)
Lecture 8:
What is a Chemotherapy Cycle & how long is it?
Chemotherapy cycle is a schedule of treatment that can be;
One day on & many rest days; everyday followed by a long rest; or even every other day
*ultimately it varies on a case by case basis
Lecture 8:
What are the 3 main Goals of Chemotherapy?
1.) Cure - hope cancer goes away
2.) Control - stop spread & manage like a chronic disease
3.) Palliation - improve quality of life rather than extending life
Lecture 8:
What causes the side effects of chemotherapy?
1.) Chemo drugs target fast dividing cells which impacts hair follicles, mouth (mucucitis), reproductive system, & bone marrow
2.) Chemo travels around body
3.) Normal tissue can be damaged
Lecture 8:
What are the 5 most commonly damages tissues from chemotherapy?
1.) Bone Marrow (red, white, & platelets)
2.) Mouth
3.) Digestive Tract
4.) Reproductive Systems
5.) Hair Follicles
Lecture 8:
What are the 6 most tissues that are sometimes damaged from chemotherapy?
1.) Heart - PA implications & cardiotoxicity
2.) Kidneys
3.) Bladder
4.) Liver
5.) Lungs
6.) Nervous System
Lecture 8:
What are the most common side effects of chemotherapy?
1.) Nausea/vomiting - due to body bing “poisoned”
2.) Hair loss
3.) Fatigue - very debilitating
4.) Blood Counts - red & white decrease, reducing O2 levels
5.) Appetite & weight changes - eg weight gain for breast cancer due to hormone fluctuations
Lecture 8:
Give a few points on the side effect of Nausea & Vomiting
- occurs in 7-8/10 people receiving chemo
- it is a reaction from the perceived poisoning but antiemetics can help with his
Lecture 8:
What can Nausea & Vomiting lead to?
Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dehydration, slow wound healing, & loss of appetite
Lecture 8:
What are the 3 types of Nausea/Vomiting?
1.) Acute = occurs soon after chemo administration & goes away within 24hrs
2.) Delayed = onset atleast 24hrs after chemo
3.) Anticipatory = occurs before chemo, as person is preparing for it
Lecture 8:
What are some points on Physical Activity & Chemotherapy Induced Nausea?
Nausea can interfere with PA during chemo & no known evidence of PA improving nausea
- Nausea accounted for 17% of missed exercises in the START trial exercise study of breast cancer survivors
Lecture 8:
What is the most common side effects of chemotherapy?
Fatigue - 90% of chemo patients experience this
Lecture 8:
What is the side effect of Fatigue caused by?
Caused by low blood counts, sleep disruption, stress, not eating enough, etc
*fatigue = worst during chemo but can continue years into survivorship
Lecture 8:
How does fatigue impact daily living?
Makes everyday tasks more difficult so it’s suggested to limit activities to what’s most important to you
Lecture 8:
What are some points on Physical Activity & Chemotherapy Induced Fatigue?
7 studies examined fatigue & chemo patients;
- 4/7 showed benefit in Breast cancer & 3/3 showed benefit in hematoligic cancer
- Fatigue accounted for 11% of missed exercises sessions in the START trial exercise
Lecture 8:
When discussing blood cell counts as a side effect of chemotherapy, what is Anemia?
Low red blood cell could causing fatigue, dizziness, paleness, & cold body temp
Lecture 8:
When discussing blood cell counts as a side effect of chemotherapy, what is Leukopenia?
Low white blood cell count causing infections in mouth, skin, lungs, urinary tract, rectum, &/or reproductive organs
- not safe to go to gym facility as too many germs
Lecture 8:
When discussing blood cell counts as a side effect of chemotherapy, what is Thrombocytopenia?
Low platelet count that can cause bruising, more bleeding than normal (due to less clotting), &/or headaches
Lecture 8:
What are some appetite & weight changes that occur as a side effect of chemotherapy?
- many people lose weight & appetite (anorexia or if severe, cachexia {muscle wasting})
- for others, (breast mostly) weight gain occurs
Lecture 8:
Why does weight gain sometimes occur during chemo treatment?
- steroids in chemo
- electrolyte imbalances
- fluid retention
- inactivity
Lecture 8:
When discussing Chemotherapy side effects, what is heart damage caused by?
Heart damage usually occurs from anthracyclines causing heart muscle damage
1 in 10 people get heart damage
Lecture 8:
How does Physical Activity influence Cardiotoxicity from chemo therapy?
In animals, PA can protect against acute cardiotoxicity (those who are more physically active before have less of this compared to those who weren’t physically active before chemo)
Lecture 8:
What is Chemobrain?
Mental cloudiness felt during & after chemo
- changes in brain occur such as; shrinking in memory & planning areas
- changes detectable even 10years post treatment
Lecture 8:
What are a few additional side effects of chemotherapy that haven’t been discussed?
Diarrhea, constipation, menstrual changes, reproductive damages, nervous system, quality of life, & leukemia (very serious side effect but not common)
