Therapeutics, Radiotherapy and Other Anti-Cancer Treatments Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two types of radiation?

A

NON-IONISING
IONISING

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2
Q

What are some types of ionising radiation?

A
  • ELECTROMAGNETIC - X-rays and gamma rays
  • PARTICULATE - Protons, electrons and neutrons
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3
Q

How can radiotherapy be used?

A
  • Can be used on its own
  • Or to complement/ehance effects of other treatments
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4
Q

What is the principle target of ionising radiation?

A

DNA

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5
Q

Describe the two types of action in radiotherapy

A
  • Direct DNA damage to cause cell death
  • Production of free radicals to induce DNA damage
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6
Q

Describe gamma rays used in ionising radiation.

A
  • Produced spontaenously as certain elements that release radiation as they decompose/decay
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7
Q

Describe intensity modulated radiotherapy.

A
  • Delivers controlled doses of radiation to malignant tumours
  • Targets tumour, protects vital organs and reduce undesirable side effects
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8
Q

What are the aims of radiotherapy?

A
  • CURATIVE
  • PALLIATIVE
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9
Q

What are the types of radiotherapy?

A
  • External beam radiotherapy - radiation delivered by machines
  • Brachytherapy - radioactive substances placed in vicinity of cancer - deliver radiation
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10
Q

What is different about cancer cells that allows them to be affected by radiotheraoy?

A
  • Don’t have the same repair mechanisms that normal cells have
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11
Q

How is cancer treatment prepared?

A
  • Locate tumour by imaging
  • Identify position, shape andsize of tumour
  • Apply beams of radiation to treat patient
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12
Q

How are tumours localised?

A
  • CT scanning
  • Computer simulation to plan treatment - determine number of treatment beams, size, shape and direction
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13
Q

What are the toxicities of radiotherapy?

A
  • Varies based on organ treated and neabry structures
  • Skin reactions - common
  • May produce long term damage
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14
Q

What does brachytherapy involve?

A
  • Insertion of radioactive sources into tumour
  • Left in permanently (as with prostate brachytherapy) or inserted for short period of time before removal
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15
Q

Describe molecular radiotherapy.

A
  • Radio-isotopes attahced to molecule that has ability to attach to target organ
  • Targeted towards the cancer
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16
Q

How does radioactive liquid therapy target cancer cells?

A
  • Radioactive atoms attached to carrier molecules targeting tumour
  • Liquid containing these molecules introduced into bloodstream
  • Molecules carried to tumour site
  • Tumour destroyed
17
Q

What are the atoms used in radioactive liquid therapy targeting thyroid cancer?

A

IODINE

18
Q

Describe palliative radiation.

A
  • Relive symptoms from advanced lung cancer e.g pain, refractory cough, hemoptysis and dyspnea