Living Through Cure Flashcards
What are the features of the HPV vaccination?
- Gardasil = current vaccine used (UK), protects against HPV 16 and 18
- HPV 16 and 18 cause ~70% of cervical cancers and also types 6 and 11 which are associated with genital warts
- In the UK it is currently offered to girls and boys aged 12-13 (school year 8). Catch up vaccination is available for girls up to age 18.
When is cervical cancer screening started?
Commences at age 25 and women are invited every 3 years until age 49. From 50-64 frequency is reduced to 5 yearly. 65+ women are only invited if recent tests have been abnormal.
What are the stages of the WHO/ECOG Performance Status?
0 Fully active, able to carry on all pre-disease performance without restriction
1 Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature e.g. light hours work, office work
2 Ambulatory and capable of all self care but unable to carry out any work activities, up and about >50% of waking hours
3 Capable of only limited self care, confined to bed or chair >50% of waking hours
4 Completely disabled, cannot carry on any self-care, totally confined to bed or chair
5 Decreased
What are side effects of radiotherapy to the pelvic region?
Will most likely cause infertility. Can cause stenosis and dryness of vagina. Patients are advised to use dilators to prevent stenosis and lubricants to deal with dryness.
What is brachytherapy?
Uses a radioactive source inserted via an applicator into the vagina/cervix. Because the radiation has short range, a higher dose can be delivered to the tumour with less toxicity to surrounding organs.
What is cisplatin?
An alkylating/platinum agent chemotherapy drug. It’s a platinum agent which acts by causing crosslinking of DNA thereby preventing DNA repair/synthesis.
SE: bone marrow suppression, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, n+v
How is chemotherapy dosed?
Usually according to surface area. A small number of drugs e.g. carboplatin which are excreted entirely via the kidneys use AUC dosing which is dependent on GFR.
