Drug Issues Associated with Cancer Chemotherapy

define cancer

uncontrolled growth of cells with the potential to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize

describe benign tumors

sold/encapsulated and growing slowly

describe malignant tumors

invades surrounding tissues

unpredictable grow rate

spreads by direct expansion or lymphatic/circulatory systems

tissues associated with carcinomas

epithelial

tissues associated with sarcomas

skeletal

tissues associated with lymphomas

lymphatic

tissues associated with leukemias

leukocytes

targets of chemo

cells that undergo rapid cell division

common tissue that undergo rapid cell division

bone marrow

lining of GI tract

reproductive organs

hair follicles

skin/epithelial cells

cancer cells

describe total cell kill

where every tumor cell capable of replicating is killed and the cancer is completely eradicated

chances of achieving total cell kill

very difficult

describe remission

the number of cancer cells are reduced to the point where the body’s endogenous defense mechanism/immune response can handle the remaining cells

ADRs to chemo

hair loss

anemia

thrombocytopenia

leukopenia

nausea

diarrhea

constipation

define nadir

the time which the WBC count is lowest

When does nadir typically occur after treatment

10-28 days

What is the purpose of using chemo cocktails

decrease the incidence of ADRs from one drug

decrease chances of tumor resistance

attack cells at multiple stages of replication

What is typical co-treatment with chemo

radiation

surgery

What are the activity guidelines for chemo pts

thrombocytopenia (watching platelet counts)

bone marrow suppression (watching WBC and HgB)

treatment considerations for chemo

malnourishment

pain

bone marrow suppression

alopecia

organ tox