Pathological effects of chemo and radiation

Question 1

What is ionizing radiation?

Answer 1

Radiation energy more than 10V enough to remove tightly bound electrons I.e x-rays, gamma

Question 2

What is non-ionizing radiation ?

Answer 2

Radiation energy less than 10V which is enough to cause injury but not remove electrons

Question 3

What are the 2 ways to deliver radiation ?

Answer 3

1. External beam

2. Internal radioactive implant

Question 4

What is the mechanism of radiation induced injury?

Answer 4

Direct injury to cell membranes, organelles and DNA
Injured cells go through necrosis/apoptosis
Calls that cannot die contain mutated DNA and cause cancer development

Question 5

What causes lung radiation injury?

Answer 5

Radiation therapy from breast cancer

Question 6

List 3 phases of lung radiation injury

Answer 6

Acute exudative
Organizing phase
Chronic fibrotic

Question 7

What are some radiation effects on the heart?

Answer 7

Cardiovascular disease
Increase risk of valve, coronary and pericardial disease
Layers of the heart get affected

Question 8

What is the effect of radiation on liver

Answer 8

Radiation induced liver disease (hepatomegaly)

Question 9

What is the goal of chemo?

Answer 9

Cure cancer
Slow down the spread of cancer
Relieve cancer symptoms
Stop the spread of cancer

Question 10

Effects of chemo on the lung ?

Answer 10

Decreased lung volume and CO2 diffusion capacity

Question 11

What are the effects of chemo on the heart?

Answer 11

The heart is less vulnerable to chemo toxicity

Question 12

Effects of chemo on the liver

Answer 12

Increased liver enzymes and bilirubin

Damage to liver cells