Chemotherapy

What does cancer result from?

Cancer results from genetic mutations causing disruption in normal cell cycle regulation and uncontrolled growth

Tumor Formation and Metastasis

Mutations lead to tumor formation, with potential spread of cancer cells to other body parts (metastasis)

Phases of Cancer Therapy

Induction Phase

• Induction phase involves intensive therapy aimed at aggressively targeting cancer cells to induce remission.

Consolidation Phase

• Consolidation phase strengthens remission through continued treatment to eliminate residual cancer cells.

Maintenance Phase

• Maintenance phase focuses on long-term control of cancer to prevent relapse with less intensive therapy.

Palliative Phase

• Palliative phase aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.

Types of Chemotherapy Drugs

• alkylating agents

• antimetabolites

• mitotic inhibitors targeting cancer cells

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy affects healthy cells causing nausea, hair loss, and myelosuppression among other side effects

• During administration - nausea

• We are suppressing their immune system, so very high risk for infection

Why do we need to give chemotherapy through central lines?

Can cause severe damage to tissue if becomes interstitial, so we use central lines