Principles of Cancer Treatment and Anticancer Drugs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the principles of cancer treatment and anticancer drugs, including definitions of various treatments, drug classes, and cancer-related terms.

Cytotoxic drug

A type of drug that kills or inhibits the growth of cancer cells by targeting rapidly dividing cells.

Surgery

A treatment modality that involves the physical removal of cancerous tissue from the body.

Radiation therapy

A treatment modality that uses high doses of radiation to kill or damage cancer cells.

Medical therapy

A treatment modality involving the use of drugs to treat cancer.

Benign tumor

A non-cancerous tumor that does not spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumor

A cancerous tumor that can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

Tumor Stage

A classification system that describes the extent of cancer in the body, usually using the TNM system.

Adjuvant therapy

Treatment given after the primary treatment to increase the chances of a cure.

Neoadjuvant therapy

Treatment given before the primary treatment to shrink a tumor.

Immunotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that boosts the body's natural defenses to fight cancer.

Chemotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can have anticancer properties.

Drug resistance

The reduction in effectiveness of a medication in previously sensitive cells.

Cytokines

Small proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells.

Antimetabolites

Drugs that interfere with metabolic processes and are used in the treatment of cancer.

Hormonal therapy

Treatment that adds, blocks, or removes hormones to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Azathioprine

An immunosuppressive drug that can also have anticancer effects.

Vincristine

A chemotherapy drug used to treat cancer that works by stopping cell division.

Bone marrow suppression

A decrease in the production of blood cells due to chemotherapy or other drugs.

M phase

The phase of the cell cycle where cell division occurs.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.

P-glycoprotein

A protein that pumps drugs and toxins out of cells, contributing to drug resistance.

Histopathology report

A report detailing the microscopic examination of tissue to diagnose the presence of disease.