Chemotherapy and Antiemetics Overview

A collection of essential terms and definitions related to chemotherapy, cancer treatments, and antiemetic medications for effective exam preparation.

Chemotherapy Agents

Medications used to treat cancer by killing or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.

Solid Tumors

Abnormal masses that grow in solid parts of the body, such as the breast, lung, prostate, colon, and rectum.

Mitosis

The process of cell division where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Neoplastic Cells

Cells that are characterized by uncontrolled growth and division, distinguishing them from normal cells.

Toxicity to Normal Cells

Adverse effects of chemotherapy that harm healthy cells alongside cancer cells.

Alkylating Agents

A class of chemotherapy drugs that kill rapidly growing cells by damaging DNA.

Antimetabolites

Chemotherapy agents that disrupt DNA and RNA synthesis by mimicking the building blocks of these molecules.

Antitumor Antibiotics

Drugs that kill cancer cells by interfering with DNA replication and RNA transcription.

Mitotic Inhibitors

Agents that prevent cancer cell division by disrupting the mitotic spindle.

Hormonal Agents

Drugs that block or mimic hormones to inhibit cancer growth, primarily used in hormone-sensitive cancers.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Medications that prevent the formation of new blood vessels to tumors, limiting their growth.

Antiemetics

Drugs that help prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, especially associated with chemotherapy.

Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists

A class of antiemetics that block serotonin receptors to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Dopamine Antagonists

Medications that block dopamine receptors in the brain to control nausea.

Prokinetics

Drugs that promote gastrointestinal motility to reduce nausea.

Cytotoxic Agents

Chemotherapy drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ)

A brain area that, when stimulated, can induce nausea and vomiting.