Oncology Tidbits

Question 1

Alkylating agents such as Cisplatin & Carboplatin are associated with the following rare side effects:
1
2

Answer 1

1 ototoxicity
2 nephrotoxicity

Question 2

Because chemotherapy targets rapidly growing cells non-selectively, they will also target the following 3 types of rapidly growing cells
1
2
3

Answer 2

Hair Cells –> Leads to alopecia
Skin Cells –> Leads to mucositis (inflammation in mouth)
Blood Cells –> Leads to myelosuppression

Question 3

Docetaxel and Pacitaxel belong to which drug class? (Hint: think of the ending of the drug names)

Answer 3

Taxanes

Question 4

Rare side effects associated with Docetaxel and Pacitaxel include the following:
1. Pain/____________
2. Fluid retention
3.

Answer 4

1. Neuropathy
2. Hypersensitivity reactions (pre treat with steroids or diphenhydramine)

Question 5

Methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil are examples of which drug class?

Answer 5

Antimetabolites

Question 6

Antimetabolites cause diarrhea, myelosuppression, mucositis, skin irritation and _________

Answer 6

heartburn/anorexia

Question 7

Daunorubicin, Doxorubicin, Epirubicin, idarubicin are from what class of drugs?

Answer 7

Antitumor or Anthracyclines

Question 8

Rare side effect of Anthracyclines (ex. Doxorubicin) would be?

Answer 8

Cardiotoxicity

Question 9

Vinca Alkaloids such as vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine are associated with neurotoxicity, dizziness and vertigo, myelosuppression, alopecia, mucositis and _____________

Answer 9

Skin Necrosis (Extravasation) – Remember Vinca Alkaloids are treated with Heat not cold compress for extravasation

Question 10

Biological response modifiers like interferon, stimulate the body’s immune response so they cause common side effects such as:
1.
2.
3.

Answer 10

Flu like symptoms
Fever
Fatigue

Question 11

Anti-Angiogenesis drugs such as Bevacizumab, Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors, Thalidomide can cause?
1. Hypertension
2.
3.

Answer 11

2. Clot (TREAT WITH LMWH (PREF) OR DOAC - tx duration is for however long receiving tx) but minimum 3-6 months
3. Bleed
4. Proteinuria

Question 12

Muscle or bone pain, pancytopenia, insomnia, tumour lysis syndrome are side effects native to what drug?

Answer 12

Bortezomib (Apoptosis inducing drug)

Question 13

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ending in “NIB”) are unique because they cause?

Answer 13

Skin reactions

Question 14

Hot flashes, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia are common side effects of ?

Answer 14

Aromatase inhibitors, letrozole anastrozole

Question 15

Tamoxifen, a SERM, can increase ones risk of ?

Answer 15

Clots
- hypertension
- weight loss
- vaginal discharge
- amenorrhea

Question 16

Manage mucositis by maintaining good _____ __________

Answer 16

Oral Hygiene, Mucositis typically appears at least 5-7 days after chemo (NO ALCOHOL MOUTH WASHES)
Palifermin, magic mouthwash

Question 17

Manage diarrhea with ORT and

Answer 17

Loperamide

However SEVERE diarrhea requiring urgent medical attention should be treated with octerotide

Question 18

Alopecia is typically caused by these three drugs
1.V
2.D
3.C
“Vin Diseals Car”

Answer 18

Vincristine
Doxorubicin
Cyclophosphamide

Question 19

Figastrim and Pegfigrastim are used to treat ?

Answer 19

Neutropenia, when risk >20%
Give them 24 hr after chemo

Question 20

True or False: Alopecia typically starts 1-3 weeks after treatment and starts to grow back after 6-8 weeks

Answer 20

True

Question 21

Hand-foot syndrome/Palmar-plantar erythrodysthesia is common with these 3 drugs
1.F
2.C
3.D
“Feet Cant Dance”

Answer 21

1. Fluroruicil
2. Capecitabine
3. Doxorubicin

Question 22

Capecitabine and Flurouricil can cause ? (hint its treated with CCBs + Nitrates and reversible after stopping drug)

Answer 22

Coronary vasospasm/myocardial ischemia

Question 23

Lapatinib and Trastuzumab can cause? (hint you’d give Acei / BB )

Answer 23

Heart failure

Question 24

Initiation of IV fluids + rasburicase would mean patient is being treated for

Answer 24

tumor lysis syndrome

Allopurinol at doses of 300 mg can be used for prevention