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Pharm Study Guide
Cancer (Neoplasia)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is cancer? | characterized by abnormal uncontrolled cell division. |
| What is a tumor? | Swelling, abnormal enlargement, or mass. Term neoplasm is often interchangeable with tumor. Can be malignant or nonmalignant. Common suffix "oma". |
| Characteristics of tumors? | Grow slowlyDo not metastasizeRarely require drug treatment. |
| Adenoma | benign tumor of glandular tissue |
| Lipoma | benign tumor of adipose tissue. |
| Malignant Tumors - Characteristics | Rapid growth, can easily metastasize, resistant to treatment, can result in death |
| 2 divisions of Malignant tumors are: | Carcinom & Sarcoma |
| Chemical carcinogens associated with the workplace are: | Asbestos - lung cancer & Benzene - leukemia |
| Physical factors associated with Cancer are: | Exposure to large amounts of x-rays can cause leukemia. Ultraviolet light from the sun causes skin cancer. |
| Biological Factors are: | Viruses: herpes simplex types I & II, Epstein Barr, papillomaviurs, cytomegalovirusImmune System Supression: HIV patients & transplant patients |
| Genetic Components | Oncogenes - predispose client to certain cancers & Damage to tumor suppressor genes (normally these genes inhibit the formation of tumors) |
| Lifestyle Habits: | Periodic mammograms as directed by healthcare (age 40) & annual digital rectal prostate exam & prostate specific antigen (PSA test after age 50 for men. Fecal occult blood test & sigmoidoscopy @ age 50, annual pap (sexually active or after age 18) |
| Treatments for cancer: | Surgery, radiation therapy, & chemotherapy. |
| Purpose of radiation therapy: | destroy tumor cells, often follows surgery, used for palliation (comfort) w/ inoperable cancers to shrink size of tumor (relieveing pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing) |
| Action of chemotherapy: | Transported through blood (potential to reach every cancer cell), some drugs cross blood brain barrier (tx: brain tumors), can be instilled into body cavities to tx: bladder cancers. Given to: cure, for comfort, & prophylaxis (prevention of cancer). |
| Antineoplastic Drugs | Different classes tx different stages of cancer life cycle, & allow for lower dosages of each agent (reduces toxicity & slows resistance) |
| Chemo Dosing schedules/cycles increase effectivness by: | Giving normal cells a chance to recover, cancer cells may also be more sensitive during the time of the next treatment. |
| Antineoplastic drug toxicity: | Drugs are pushed to maximum possible dosage: greatest tumor cells killed, always result in adverse effects. |
| Affects of antineoplastic drugs on the blood: | anemia (low red blood cells count), thrombocytopenia, low platelet count, leukopenia (low WBC) |
| Affects of antineoplastic drugs on the GI tract: | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia (loss of appetite) |
| Other affects of antineoplastic drugs: | fatigue, opprtunistic infections, ulceration and bleeding of the lips and gums, alopecia (loss of hair) |
| Rapidly growing cells most susceptible to adverse effects: | Hair follicles (hair loss (alopecia), lining of digestive tract (severe bleeding or diarrhea), vomiting center in medulla (nausea & vomiting (tx: w/ antimetic drugs before tx begins) |
| Alkylating agents are: | Most widely used antineoplastic drugsEX: Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) |
| Antimetabolites | Methotrexate (Mexate) |
| Antitumore Antibiotics | Not widely prescribed b/c of their cytotoxicity (but very effective against certain tumors. Obtained from bacteria and have the ability to kill CA cells.Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) |
| Plant alkaloids/natural products | Ability to arrest cell division - sometimes called mitotic inhibitors.Vincristine (Oncovin) - Vincristine is derived from the periwinkle plant. |
| Hormones & Hormone blockers | Tamoxifen (Nolvades)Can slow specific types of breast cancer that depend on estrogen for growth. Blocks estrogen receptors in CA cells. Given to high risk pt's prophylactically. |
| Biologic response modifiers: | Does not kill cancer cells directly, but stimulates the body's immune system to fight the CA.Interferon alfa 2 (RoferoneA, Intron A) |
| Miscellaneous Anticancer Drugs | Counteract the toxicity of antineoplastics.Epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) - stimulates RBC production to limit anemia. |
Created by:
kcornwell
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