Oncology and Chemotherapy Review

Vocabulary and key concepts related to cancer warning signs, stages, chemotherapy mechanisms, types of therapy, and administration routes based on the lecture transcript.

CAUTION

A mnemonic for the warning signs of cancer: Change in bowel or bladder habits, A sore that doesn't heal, Unusual bleeding or discharge, Thickening or a lump, Indigestion or difficulty swallowing, Obvious change in a mole, and Nagging cough or hoarseness.

Cancer

A disease characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting from damage to genes controlling cell growth.

Metastases

The movement of cancer from a primary site to other locations in the body.

Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents

Drugs that are toxic to cancer cells and fast-growing healthy cells in order to kill them.

Fast-growing areas

The four areas of the body most susceptible to chemotherapy side effects: the GI tract, hair/nails/skin, gonadal cells (hormones), and the bone marrow.

Bone marrow (The "big dog")

The primary area affected by chemotherapy that impacts the complete blood count ($CBC$), including white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Stage 1 Cancer

The initial stage where the cancer pretty much starts.

Stage 2 Cancer

The stage where cancer begins to innervate and may have hit a couple of lymph nodes as it tries to move outside its normal area.

Stage 3 Cancer

The stage where cancer is likely in more lymph nodes and may have reached the wall of the organ (e.g., kidney, heart, liver, or lung) where it started.

Stage 4 Cancer

The stage where cancer has metastasized and moved somewhere other than where it originally started.

Myelosuppression

Bone marrow suppression resulting in lowered blood levels and a highly susceptible immune system.

Alopecia

Hair loss, which is a common side effect of some chemotherapy agents.

Alkylating agent

A substance that alters the chemical structure of the cell's DNA, making faster-growing cells more susceptible.

Induction therapy

A high-dose chemotherapy treatment used to kill malignancy and move the patient into remission.

Consolidation therapy

Chemotherapy administered after induction therapy to help achieve a cure.

Intensification therapy

High doses of chemotherapy given during remission to increase the cure rate, frequently used during leukemia treatment.

Neoadjuvant therapy

Chemotherapy administered prior to surgery to shrink a tumor to a more manageable and safer size for removal.

Palliative therapy

Chemotherapy used for comfort and symptom management (such as shrinking a tumor to allow swallowing or walking) rather than as a cure, typically for stage 4 cancers.

Black bin

The specific disposal container in the Med Room for chemotherapy packaging to prevent residue from entering the water table or landfills.

Vesicant

A property of intravenous chemotherapy that can severely damage and "tear up" veins.

PowerPort

A triangular-shaped surgical implant used for chemotherapy that allows for blood draws and bathing/swimming, and has lower infection rates than PICC lines.

Intrathecal

A route of chemotherapy administration that goes directly into the spine or cerebrospinal fluid ($CSF$).

Intravascular (Bladder)

Chemotherapy administered directly into the bladder using a Foley catheter.

Intraperitoneal

Chemotherapy administered into the abdominal cavity.

Combination therapy

The use of two or more chemotherapy agents to create a synergistic effect, decrease drug resistance, and reduce toxic effects to normal cells.