Tx of Cancer

Question 1

what are the hallmarks of cancer?

Answer 1

proliferative signalling, evading growth suppressors, activating invasion, replicative immortality, angiogenesis, resisting cell death

Question 2

4 tx intents of cancer

Answer 2

radical: curative, side effects
palliative: non-curative, aims to improve quality of life and prolong life
adjuvant: after surgery to reduce recurrence
neo-adjuvant: before surgery to shrink tumour

Question 3

4 tx endpoints

Answer 3

overall survival: time alive
disease free survival: time with no signs of cancer
progression free survival: time living w cancer without precipitating
local control: time without recurrence or progression at specific tumour site

Question 4

what are non-surgical tx modalities?

Answer 4

radiotherapy & systemic anti-cancer therapy

Question 5

what is radiotherapy?

Answer 5

radiation wavelength which breaks the double strand of DNA preventing cells from dividing and killing cell

Question 6

what are some types of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT)

Answer 6

cytotoxic chemo, immunotherapy, targeted therapy

Question 7

how does cytotoxic chemo work?

Answer 7

stop cancer cells reproducing by blocking different stages of the cell cycle

Question 8

what are some chemo and radio toxicities?

Answer 8

general e.g. malaise, lethargy, GI e.g. incontinence, diarrhoea, haematological e.g. neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
fertility: early menopause, infertility

Question 9

what are 2 things to consider for cancer tx?

Answer 9

cancer- site, type etc

patient centred

Question 10

what is the timeline for total cure from cancer?

Answer 10

5 years